Mastering the Art of Open Format DJing: How to Keep the Dance Floor Alive

In the world of DJing, being able to keep the dance floor alive is an art form in itself. And one technique that has gained popularity among DJs is open format DJing. By seamlessly blending different genres and styles, open format DJs create a dynamic and electrifying musical experience that keeps the crowd moving all night long.

Mastering the art of open format DJing requires a deep understanding of music theory, an extensive collection of tracks from various genres, and the ability to read the crowd and adapt accordingly. It’s about knowing when to switch gears and take the energy up a notch or bring it down for a breather. It’s a delicate balance of skill, creativity, and intuition.

In this article, we will explore the ins and outs of open format DJing and provide you with tips and techniques to help you become a master of the dance floor. Whether you’re a seasoned DJ looking to expand your repertoire or a beginner eager to dive into the world of DJing, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and tools to rock any party or club with confidence.

So let the beats drop and let’s dive into the art of open format DJing!

What is open format DJing?

Open format DJing is a technique that involves seamlessly blending different genres and styles of music to create a dynamic and electrifying musical experience. Unlike traditional DJing, where DJs stick to one genre or style throughout their set, open format DJs have the freedom to explore various genres and mix them together in a way that keeps the crowd engaged and energized. This approach allows DJs to cater to a diverse audience with different musical preferences, ensuring that there’s something for everyone on the dance floor.

To master the art of open format DJing, you need to have at least a basic understanding of music theory. This knowledge will help you identify the key and tempo of different tracks, making it easier to harmonically mix them together.

The importance of keeping the dance floor alive

As a DJ, your primary goal is to keep the dance floor alive and the energy high throughout the night. The success of a party or event often depends on how well the DJ can read the crowd and adapt their set accordingly. Whether you’re playing at a club, a wedding, or a corporate event, your ability to keep the dance floor packed and the crowd engaged is crucial.

By mastering the art of open format DJing, you gain the flexibility to seamlessly transition between genres and styles, catering to the diverse musical tastes of the crowd. This versatility allows you to maintain a steady flow of energy, keeping the dance floor alive and ensuring that everyone is having a great time.

Understanding the crowd and their preferences

To be a successful open format DJ, it’s essential to understand the crowd and their musical preferences. Every audience is unique, and what works for one crowd may not necessarily work for another. By observing the crowd and paying attention to their reactions, you can gauge their energy levels and adjust your set accordingly.

One way to understand the crowd is to engage with them during your set. Take the time to interact with the audience, ask for song requests, and get a sense of what they’re enjoying. This feedback will help you curate your setlist on the fly and make real-time adjustments to keep the dance floor alive.

Building a diverse music library

A diverse and extensive music library is the backbone of open format DJing. To keep the dance floor alive, you need to have a wide range of tracks from different genres and styles. This means constantly exploring new music, staying up to date with the latest releases, and digging deep into the archives to find hidden gems.

Building a diverse music library takes time and effort, but it’s well worth it. The more tracks you have at your disposal, the more options you have to keep the crowd engaged. Organise your music library in a way that makes it easy to find and access tracks quickly during your set. Utilise playlists and tags to categorise your tracks by genre, energy level, or mood, making it easier to create seamless transitions between songs.

It’s usually a good idea to have access to a DJ-friendly streaming site. This means you’ll have access to almost any track you could ever need so if something’s requested and you don’t have it downloaded, you can still play it (as long as there’s an internet connection in the venue.)

Transitioning between genres seamlessly

One of the key skills of open format DJing is the ability to transition between genres seamlessly. A smooth transition can create a powerful and memorable moment on the dance floor, while a clumsy one can disrupt the energy and take the crowd out of the zone.

To transition between genres seamlessly, it’s important to consider the key and tempo of the tracks you’re mixing. Look for tracks that have similar or compatible keys and tempos, as this will make it easier to blend them together harmonically. Experiment with different mixing techniques, such as fade-ins, beat-matching, and EQ adjustments, to create smooth transitions that keep the energy flowing.

Psst.. you’re about to get a look inside our Open Format DJ Course! This course is specifically designed for DJs looking to broaden their skill set across various genres and techniques. This course, tailored for intermediate to professional DJs, covers a wide range of topics essential for mastering open-format mixing. From technical skills to creative transitions, the course aims to equip DJs with the tools needed to perform seamlessly across any BPM or genre.

Sneak Peek Lesson 1: 140BPM – 172 BPM

The techniques covered in this part of the course highlight how huge BPM gaps can be covered easily by combining a few simple techniques. Setting well-timed loops and syncing between the songs before adjusting the tempo is a surefire way to get from one genre to another easily.

Watch and learn as our tutor, DJ Blakey shows how to move from Blinded By The Lights (Nero Remix) into Chase & Status’ smash hit Baddadan on the Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10.

If the lesson above felt quite simple, this next lesson, taken from later in the course, gets much more complex. It shows just how diverse the lessons within the course are and the scope of what’s possible when it comes to mixing between genres!

Sneak Peek Lesson 2: Advanced Sample Switch-Up

This advanced lesson showcases a live mix of “Il Macquillage Lady” by Sister Sledge into “Aerodynamic” by Daft Punk, utilizing hot cues for a sample switch-up on the Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX4.

Transform your DJing skills with our Open Format Mixing Course, led by DJ Blakey. This course is designed to equip you with cutting-edge mixing techniques and creative strategies to excel across genres:

• Wide BPM Ranges: Master mixing across various tempos.
• Beat Gridding: Learn standard and elastic beat gridding for perfect sync.
• Key Mixing: Harness harmonic mixing for smoother transitions.
• Stem Mixing: Dive into advanced stem mixing with Serato vs. Rekordbox.
• Looping & Hot Cues: Utilize looping and hot cues for dynamic performances.
• Basic Scratching: Get started with fundamental scratching techniques.
• Mixing Between Genres Creatively: Explore techniques for smooth transitions across diverse music styles.
• Wordplay Techniques: Master wordplay to creatively connect tracks through lyrical or thematic elements.
• Sample Switch Ups: Learn how to incorporate and switch samples effectively to enhance your sets.
• Making DJ Edits and Routines: Dive into creating your own edits and routines for a unique performance.
• Recording Sets: Learn the best practices for recording and sharing your DJ sets.
• Special Event Mixes: Create themed mixes for birthdays, Halloween, Christmas, and more.

Ready to learn? Click below to check it out!

Open Format DJ Course

4.23

(768)

3.25 hours

64 lessons

Creative

$155

Using SYNC to transition from a high to low BPM

Using the SYNC feature is a great way to transition between genres that have a drastic difference in BPM. In this tutorial taken directly from the DJ transitions course, we show you how to move from a house song to a pop remix. That’s 122bpm – 106bpm in one mix.

Rekordbox Tutorial

Serato Tutorial

Switching the beat under an acapella

Tracks used in this lesson:
Valentino Khan – Lick It
Valentine Khan – Lick It (Acapella)
Ummet Ozcan – Bombjack (DJ Primetyme Club Edit)
Shiba San – All I Need
Disturbing The Peace (Ludacris) – Move Bitch
Ludacris – Move Bitch (Acapella)
Nu:Logic – Day & Night
The Prodigy – Voodoo People (Pendulum Remix)

Reading the crowd and adjusting your set accordingly

As an open format DJ, your role extends beyond just playing music. You’re also responsible for creating a memorable experience for the crowd. Engage with the audience, make eye contact, and show enthusiasm for the music you’re playing. Be responsive to their energy and adjust your performance accordingly. Being able to read the crowd and adjust your set accordingly is a crucial skill for any DJ, but it’s especially important for open format DJs. Pay attention to how the crowd responds to different tracks and genres. Are they dancing and showing enthusiasm, or are they looking disengaged?

Based on their reactions, you can make real-time adjustments to your setlist. If a particular genre or style is getting a great response from the crowd, consider playing more tracks in that genre. On the other hand, if a certain genre is falling flat, be prepared to switch gears and try something different. The ability to adapt to the crowd’s preferences and keep them engaged is what sets a great open format DJ apart.

Incorporating live remixing and mashups

Live remixing and mashups are powerful tools that can take your open format DJ sets to the next level. By combining elements from different tracks and genres, you can create a unique and memorable musical experience that keeps the dance floor alive.

Experiment with live remixing by adding acapellas, instrumentals, or vocal samples from one track to another. This can create unexpected and exciting moments that surprise and delight the crowd. Similarly, mashups allow you to blend different tracks together to create a seamless and cohesive mix that seamlessly transitions between genres.

Becoming a master of open-format DJing

Mastering the art of open-format DJing is a journey that requires a combination of skill, creativity, and intuition. By understanding the crowd, building a diverse music library, and seamlessly transitioning between genres, you can keep the dance floor alive and create an electrifying musical experience.

Remember to constantly explore new music, experiment with different mixing techniques, and engage with the crowd to create a memorable experience. With practice and dedication, you can become a master of open format DJing and rock any party or club with confidence. So let the beats drop and get ready to take your DJing skills to new heights!