Keep Dancers Happy - Leave the Music Alone
DJ's Mixing Salsa Music from One Song to Another... DON'T DO IT! Dancers don't like it!
By Edie, The Salsa FREAK

You're in the middle of dancing a KILLER song. The beat is uplifting, and slamming. It's one of your favorite songs, and you start thanking God for that DJ. You and your partner have hit every peak of the rhythm perfectly with beautiful moves and turn patterns portraying your passionate interpretation of the song's story. Both of you know the ending, and anticipate it's just about to finish. Your partner gets ready for the incredible dip that will polish off the finale.

Suddenly, the DJ decides to "mix in" another song, completely skipping the ending. You realize that another song has just started or "blended in", without the first one finishing. You both look at each other, disappointed that you weren't able to complete your dance, and wonder why on earth the DJ did that to you.

I've received countless emails from Salseros all over the world who are now seeing a disturbing trend with DJs mixing Salsa music. They tell me that they DO NOT like DJ mixing Salsa music, and ask me what they can do about it. The reason I'm writing this article is to respond to the increasing number of emails I've been receiving about this issue. It seems to have become a big problem, and many are asking I explain to DJs why dancers don't like mixing Salsa music.

So DJs, listen up. This is for YOU.

There are various reasons why DJ's seem to want to mix Salsa music now.

Myth #1:

1. You may think that you are judged as a DJ to how well you blend each song together. FALSE

Not true. You are judged by the type of music you play and the quality of dance-able Salsa music you bring. What is judged is your music collection and the high percentage of "Salsa" vs other types of music (i.e., Merengue, Bachata, Cha Cha, etc.). Dancers prefer at least 90% Salsa to your "everything else" mix.

Myth #2:

2. You may be bored as a DJ and want to try something different. FALSE

Don't mix music if you're bored. Do some dancing instead. Do anything instead. If all you DJ is Salsa, don't waste your money investing in expensive mixing equipment. Save that for contemporary top 40 or techno clubs, where it's more appropriate. Partner dancing clubs are a different story altogether.

Myth #3:

3. You may believe that it keeps the crowd on the dance floor. FALSE

This couldn't be further from the truth. Your crowds will dance when you play slamming Salsa music. I've seen floors start to empty when other types of music are played. Bottom line. Your objective should not be to "keep the crowds on the floor". Realize that they need to go choose their partners. Give them a few seconds. If you play good Salsa, and are consistent, they will fill your floor and pack your clubs. Trust me.

Definition of CONSISTENT:

- Set day(s) of the week - don't change every few weeks.

- Set type of music - preferably 90% Salsa

DJs, keep in mind that dancers, (ESPECIALLY those that will tell their friends, and pack your clubs), are telling a story with each dance. Every story has an ending. That ending is usually a dip or something creative done by the leader.

If you mix the music, it does the following to the dancer:

1. Puts dancers into a situation where they feel as though they "have to" stay with that partner.

2. Confuse the pattern leading to the "dip" as the finale.

3. Makes dancers feel uncomfortable when they stop dancing in what seems to be the middle of the next song.

4. Does not allow any time to thank your partner, walk them off the dance floor, and seek out another one.

5. Frustrates dancers who live for the beautiful finale of a song.

6. Does an injustice to the musicians who created the song.

The two to five seconds of "down time" between songs is just enough time to thank your partner, catch a deep breath, and seek out another partner. If you mix the music, there is no rest, and as a dancer, you are forced with having to virtually skip every other song because by the time you find a new dance partner, they're either dancing with someone else, or they are amongst the crowd of people trying to get on and off the dance floor while the next song has started.

Dancers will put up with, and have a high tolerance for many things. Bad dance floors, smoke-filled rooms, no air conditioning, shabby bathrooms, poor service... but the one thing that keeps them going to places like these is the music, and the management. Now, if the music is being compromised with all this new mixing, they won't know any real motivation for them to continue to frequent the clubs.

DJs, keep your clientele, the dancers, happy. Don't mix their Salsa - UNLESS YOU MIX IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SONG - REMEMBER THAT. Then, and ONLY THEN, is it OK.

Dancers, if your DJ starts mixing the music, my suggestion is to print out this article, go up to the DJ, buy them a drink, give them this article to read and very politely ask them to NOT to mix or blend the music from one song to another.

The above article was obtained from salsaweb.com