music

We love live band music! If you are new to playing for dancers, these tips will hopefully take some of the mystery out of what dancers want. Follow these and you should be able to step into the dance and have a floor full of people respond to your music!
Do's:

Now it's time to put all that time you spent listening to music to use!

First, think of the crowd you'll be DJing for:

• How fast do they normally dance?
• What swing styles do they normally dance?
• What genres do they like?
• What surface are they going to be dancing on? (concrete, wood, slick-as-snot wood, etc)
• What time of day will you be DJing? (Mid-day dance, Main dance, Late night)
• What type of event will it be? (House party, huge dance, band breaks, multiple DJs with short sets, DJ competition, lesson, etc)

Music is an extremely complex top, both in general and with respect to dancers. We'll only scratch the surface here.

Primary Characteristics
Song Length
A good rule of thumb is on average 3-4 minutes long. Slower songs can be longer, (probably no more than a little over 5 minutes). A little under 3 minutes is also OK.

Beats Per Minute

Once you're at the dance, for the most part, you need to be ready to go. Don't plan on making it up as you go along, (until you're confident enough to not follow the rules, just like dancing).

First, check your surroundsings:

1. show up early!
2. Check your equipment. Did you bring everything you thought you brought? Does it still work? (Don't laugh. Many a DJ has left home with a functioning laptop and arrived at a dance with a dead one.)
3. Is there a sound system? (If not, hopefully you or someone else brought one.)
   

The swing dance community is built on DJs. The quality of a swing scene's DJs has a great influence on the quality of it's dancers. As with dancers, DJs come and go. While a lot of DJing simply requires practice, there is some information that can help DJs avoid basic mistakes. We'll break it down into four sections plus a fifth for tips below.

There is also a forum for DJs at swingdjs.com to exchange information on swing music.

PATTON JAMES and the SYNCHROMATICS

A five piece SWING band based out of Nashville, specializing in MODERN SWING MUSIC. Inspired by the original LAS VEGAS LOUNGE and JAZZ scene, Patton has given new life (along with a few new twists) to the almost lost style of performing.

From the melancholy sounds reminiscent of a YOUNG SINATRA to the high energy ROCKIN' JUMP BLUES of the 1940's, this band has it all. Enriched by strong vocals and catchy tunes, PATTON JAMES AND THE SYNCHROMATICS are truly the ones to watch.

Clay Swofford