Why I Still Use CDs

An article in the May 10 NY Times, "In Mobile Age, Sound Quality Takes a Step Back," reminds me of the reason why I still primarily play music from CDs rather than from mp3s.

The article notes that the music stored on computers and iPods is compressed. The amount of data in the original recording is reduced so as to speed up download times and to allow more songs to be stored on the device. Compression "shrinks the size of the files, eliminating some of the sounds and range contained on a CD."

(For example, a typical 4 minute song on a CD requires 40 MB of data. However, an mp3 file of that same song can be less than 4 MB -- containing less than one-tenth of the audio data on the CD. Even a higher quality mp3 of that same song is only about 6 or 7 MB -- still only about one-sixth of the audio data on the CD.)

As the NY Times reports, "compressed music files produce a crackly, tinnier, and thinner sound than music on CDs."

The reason most listeners don't notice the difference is that today's generation most often listens to music through a pair of iPod earbuds or through their computer speakers. These are adequate for that purpose. It's a trade-off between quality on the one hand and portability and convenience on the other.

But play that same compressed mp3 file through a $5,000 professional sound system like I use and, believe me, you CAN hear the difference between that and the original CD!

Not Too Heavy, Not Too Light

Do you recall that recent Bud Light TV commercial titled “The Arrival”?

A guy arrives at a backyard party, waves to no one in particular, and meekly says “hi everybody.” Nobody even notices. “TOO LIGHT,” proclaims the ad. Then the same guy is shown crashing through the back fence in a fire-spewing monster truck. “TOO HEAVY,” for sure. In contrast, we’re told, the beer that’s right for you is “not too heavy, not too light.”

The same standard – neither too heavy nor too light – applies to the DJ who serves as Master of Ceremonies (MC)at a wedding reception.

You don’t want your DJ/MC to come across like a melodramatic ringmaster at a Barnum & Bailey Circus, a cheesy TV game show host, wild and crazy “Morning Zoo” radio jock, or a World Wrestling Foundation announcer. TOO HEAVY.

But neither do you want an DJ/MC who’s a wallflower, inarticulate, soft-spoken, unable to command attention, more comfortable buried in his headphones and staring at his mixer than addressing an audience on the microphone. TOO LIGHT.

What you want and need for a wedding reception is a DJ/MC who knows how to talk on the microphone but also knows when not to; who sounds like a classy, articulate professional; who comes across with just enough (but not too much) positive energy; and who can get your guests’ attention when needed to make announcements but without grabbing the spotlight for himself.

Why Hire a Videographer

If your wedding budget permits, I recommend you hire a professional videographer in addition to a photographer.

Photos are wonderful, but only a video can capture the sounds as well as sights of your wedding day. Your wedding vows as you speak them. The toasts by your friends and family. The grand entrance introductions. The music played as you dance your first dance. 

Don’t just think of how you'll feel when you watch your wedding video in a year or two. Think of how you'll feel when you watch it 25 years from now. And how your children will feel, and even your grandchildren.  Looking at photographs stirs memories, but watching film footage makes the figures in those photos come alive. It's a whole different level of experience.

Sure, you have an uncle with a $300 Canon camcorder who’ll loves to shoot family gatherings. But will he guarantee he’ll get all the special moments? Will he capture good quality sound? Will he be on the job constantly, ready to capture those little details and spontaneous moments that tell the story? Will he edit the raw footage into a truly watchable, emotionally compelling, film? No; probably not; uh-huh; and not-so-much.

Ceremony Music Confusion

There's a saying:  Assumption is the mother of all screw-ups. (That's the polite version!)

Nowhere is this more true in at a wedding than when people make assumptions about when the ceremonial music should start.  The troubles lie in the space between the PRELUDE music and the BRIDAL PARTY PROCESSIONAL.

During that time, various things can happen. Depending on the bride and groom's religious or ethnic custom:

• the officiant might enter (if he's not already at the altar);
• the grandmothers and mothers might be seated (which might involve groomsmen doubling as ushers);
• the groom might enter (if he's not already at the altar);
• the groomsmen might enter before the bridesmaids (rather than being paired with bridesmaids for the processional).

Here's where assumptions are all over the map: WHAT music, if any, is playing during those moments?


Some people assume the prelude music should continue during those moments.

Some people assume there is silence. The prelude music ends, and there's no music until the bridesmaids start walking down the aisle.

Some people assume there is a separate song to be played for one or more of these moments (e.g,. a song for seating of the mothers).

Some people assume that whatever song has been selected for the bridal party processional should start playing during these moments (even though the bridesmaids themselves haven't yet come in).

And the funny thing is, everyone who makes one of these assumptions also assumes that "their" way IS "the way." 

With years of experience as a wedding DJ, and providing music for people of various religions and ethnic backgrounds, I have concluded that the ONLY way to handle this correctly is:  COMMUNICATION, not assumptions.  I talk with the bride and groom in advance, and discuss with them exactly who will be walking down the aisle, and in what order, and what music (if any) should be played in the moments between the end of the prelude music and the processional of the bridesmaids!

Whether you're using a DJ or live musicians for your ceremonial music, I strongly suggest you do the same.

The Importance of Listening

After a recent meeting with a wedding couple, I sent them a draft schedule outlining the things we had decided: the time-line for the reception, the songs selected, the items still pending, and so on.

In reply, I received this email from the bride: "Wow -- you are good! You got the details that I turned to [my fiancé] and mentioned without realizing you were paying such close attention!"

This bride's kind note reveals one of the secrets of a successful wedding DJ. That is: LISTENING to the wedding couple! Not just listening, but listening carefully, heeding not only their overt directions to me but also picking up the little nuances they convey through their banter with each other.

I'll take that one step further. When I meet with my clients, I'm not only listening to what each one is saying, I'm also LOOKING at how the other is reacting.

That way, I can see where they're in agreement -- and where I might need to prod them into further discussion before we finalize things. If the bride is saying "Oh yes, my family loves those line dances" and I see the groom smiling or nodding his head, I know he's OK with that. But if he's raising his eyebrows or rolling his eyes, I know he has a different opinion about the "Electric Slide." In that case,I can facilitate a brief discussion and help them reach a mutual agreement or compromise on the point.

Playing music and making announcements on the day of the wedding is a big part of a wedding DJ's job. But it's the listening and learning beforehand that ensures a wedding tailored to each couple's desires.

Vendors - Don't Be Like The Hookah-Smoking Caterpillar

I haven't seen the latest Hollywood remake of "Alice in Wonderland," but ever since childhood I’ve delighted in Lewis Carroll’s dark fantasy tale of that down-the-rabbit-hole world in which things get, as Alice aptly puts it, “Curiouser and curiouser.”

Remember when poor Alice, disoriented but plucky, meets a Caterpillar sitting atop a mushroom puffing a hookah? She’s hoping for friendly conversation, but the Caterpillar nonplusses her by curtly and haughtily asking: “Who . . . are . . . you?”

When I arrive at a reception site, I greet the other vendors -- site coordinator, banquet manager, photographer -- in a friendly manner. If they respond curtly or brusquely or give me one of those "I can't be bothered" looks, they remind me of that Caterpillar.

My goal is to establish a good working relationship with all the wedding vendors. After all, even though we might not know each other and we work for different companies and have different roles at the reception, we need to work together as a team that night!

Fortunately, the vast majority of vendors “get it.” They appreciate the friendly greeting, the exchange of pleasantries, the sharing of information, the promise of teamwork, and even a bit of camaraderie. But, yes, there are some who give the other vendors that rude “Who . . . are . . . you?” treatment, like that silly, pompous Caterpillar.

"How many songs should we pick?" - Part 3

This is the third and final part of a 3-part article about how many songs you, the wedding couple, should pre-select for the general dancing portion of their reception.

As discussed in part 1 and part 2, my advice is: give your DJ as much GUIDANCE about the dance music as you want but keep your "MUST-PLAY" list to a reasonable length. That means leaving your DJ with considerable discretion to play a variety of music aimed at keeping the dance floor filled.

But what about your very valid concern that if you give the DJ too much discretion, he'll play music you DON'T want to hear?

There's an easy answer to that. In addition to telling the DJ  the music you LIKE, tell him what you DON'T like. In fact, feel free to give him a "Do Not Play" list.

Some clients don't realize they don't have to micromanage the DJ's playlist to avoid songs they absolutely don't want to hear.  If you don't want line dances like the "Electric Slide" played, just tell your DJ. If you want to steer clear of gangsta rap or any hiphop you find offensive, instruct your DJ accordingly. Not a country music fan? Tell your DJ to avoid it. Don't want to hear play "Brown Eyed Girl" because you associate it with an ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend? Just put it on your "Do Not Play" list.

Think of it like the food. If you're allergic to peanuts,  you'd just tell the chef to not to use peanuts -- you wouldn't have to specify every ingredient in his recipe.

One final nuance: When compiling your "Do Not Play" list, tell your DJ whether these are to be avoided EVEN IF requested -- or whether they're not to be played UNLESS requested.

You never know what your Aunt Sally or Uncle Bob might come up to your DJ and request; it could be one of those line dances you're not fond of!  After compiling a "Do Not Play" list, go through it a second time and see if you could tolerate any of the songs if a guest asks for them, or whether your DJ should deflect requests for them under any and all circumstances. As your DJ, I will honor your decision either way.

"Tips for Hiring a Wedding DJ" - new video on YouTube

Months in the making, and finally up and running: the Good Note DJ YouTube channel. I uploaded the first video yesterday.

It's about three minutes long. The title is "Tips for Hiring a Wedding DJ." Click here to view it on YouTube.

I hope you'll not only watch it but also rate it, leave a comment, and pass it along to others via Facebook, Twitter, blogs, or email -- all accessible directly by clicking on "Share" right below the YouTube video window.

You can also subscribe to the GoodNoteDJ YouTube Channel -- more videos are in the works. Forthcoming topics: "What Can Go Wrong at Your Wedding with the Wrong DJ"; "Ways a DJ Can Personalize Your Wedding Reception"; and "Ideas for Cocktail and Dinner Music at Your Wedding".

I wrote and produced the video. Videography is by Rob Burdette of Thomas Bowen Films. The wonderful opening animated sequence is by my old friend Dick Bangham of RipBang Pictures. Thanks to these consummate professionals for their hard work and creativity.

"How many songs should we pick?" - Part 2

This is part 2 of a 3-part article on the wedding couple's selection of songs played during the general dancing portion of their reception.

Part 1 explained why you should give your DJ as much GUIDANCE about the dance music as you want but keep your "MUST-PLAY" list to a reasonable length.  This part explains why.

If you give your DJ too many “must-play” songs for dancing, your DJ ends up having to “DJ by checklist." Here's what's wrong with DJ'ing by checklist.

• A good DJ plays songs that flow well together, taking into account the tempo, the style, and even how the one song ends and how the next one begins. This helps keep the dance floor filled. If he’s DJ’ing from a checklist, you’ll hear more abrupt transitions between one song and the next, which disrupts the flow of energy on the dance floor.

• A good DJ reads the crowd and adjusts his set lists based on the responses he's getting on the dance floor. DJ’ing from a checklist means reading a piece of paper, not reading the crowd.

• A good DJ tries to fit in some songs requested by your guests right there at the reception. When your parents, your siblings, or your dearest friends go up to the DJ and request a song they really want to dance to, do you really want him to say "No" because his playlist is already set in stone?

• A good DJ, with hundreds of events under his belt, knows all sorts of sure-fire dance music that you, the wedding couple, might not have thought of.  You may know a lot of music, but chances are you don’t know all the musical nooks and crannies your DJ does. Do you really want to pay a DJ to NOT utilize his expertise?

Here are some other things to think about when considering how many "must play" songs to give your DJ for the dancing period.

Sometimes, the most fervent compilers of “must play” lists are guys who are avid listeners but not big dancers. Ladies, do you want your DJ to be playing your hipster husband’s favorite obscure indie bands that he likes to listen to rather than the songs your bridesmaids and girlfriends want to dance to?

Isn’t it fun to have an element of surprise and spontaneity at your reception? If nearly every song during dancing is one you’ve preselected, you’ve eliminated those sparks of surprise and spontaneity.

Your DJ, if he's good at his job, WILL incorporate a LOT of the music you specify but will mix it with other music that seems right for the occasion. If you don’t have confidence in your DJs judgment, or doubt your DJ’s commitment to incorporate your favorites while also satisfying your guests's varied tastes, you should hire a different DJ!

Still not convinced? In part 3 of this series, I’ll reveal a tactic that will greatly increase your confidence in giving your DJ discretion for the dance music while addressing your desire to shape his music selection.

A memorable, snowy wedding!

Saturday, February 6, 2010 set snowfall records in Washington DC. Over two feet. The nation's capital shut down. People called it "Snowmageddon."

Yet, that was the day of my client Barb McCuen and David Jones' wedding -- and the wedding took place. The ceremony at All Souls Unitarian Church on 16th St in NW DC; the reception at St. Francis Hall in NE DC (near Catholic University).

The Sunday Washington Post carried a story about it: "D.C. couple doesn't let blizzard get in the way of wedding."

The Post reporter didn't accompany the guests across town to the reception hall, so she didn't get to see how I rocked the house when the dancing began. But that's okay. The 100 guests who made it had a great time. And yes, I played "(It's a Perfect Day for a) White Wedding".

To beat the snow, the caterer and I dropped off all our equipment a day early. (And we left the equipment there at the end of the night, with plans to pick it up within a few days, when road conditions improved.) Friends of the bride with snow-worthy vehicles helped ferry guests (and me, I might add!) to the reception hall. So many people worked extra hard to meet the challenges posed by the blizzard.

What made it worth it all for me personally was at the end of the night, the bride was so effusive in her thanks, telling me "All I'd ever envisioned and hoped for at my wedding celebration was that everyone would be dancing and having a great time, and you made that happen!"

Kudos to Xhemil and rest of the crew at St. Francis Hall, the incredible folks from Corcoran Caterers, photographer Jesse Kaplan, and friends of the bride Suzanne, Jen, and Darcie who rallied round their friend and coordinated closely with other guests and vendors like me to make sure we all got there.