Creating a music mix for a party is one of the funniest moments in planning an event. Here are some tips for a compilation that will conquer everyone!
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Basic Strategy
Step 1. Think in demographic terms:
how many people have you invited and how many do you expect them to come? Will anyone be accompanied by a friend? Will there be who will make a quick jump? What is the average age of the guests? 16-year-olds living in the suburbs generally don't like the same music that professionals in their thirties enjoy. Also think about the length of the party. A three-hour mix requires a different strategy than a six-hour one.
It is better to round up than down when considering the length of the party and the number of attendees. Be flexible instead of fossilizing
Step 2. What is the perfect music for a party?
Generally, party music should be upbeat and not require a lot of attention to appreciate. Songs with complex structure, overly elaborate songs, and sad and depressing ones are to be avoided. Maybe you can place one at the end of the compilation.
When in doubt, choose catchy, good-paced music. Some genres are preferable to others: modern R&B, R&B influenced pop, dance pop, hip-hop, reggae, pop and pop-punk. Classical music, songwriters and melancholy indie rock (such as Neutral Milk Hotel and Modest Mouse) should be put aside in most cases
Step 3. Collect the music
If your collection is almost entirely digital, download it from the internet and browse your audio files. If you have a material collection, put all the albums in one room. Listen to CDs and individual songs, write down ideal song titles. The aim is to have a broad home base.
Step 4. Determine some sort of balance
Most audiophiles often want to share new discoveries and lesser-known music with their friends, and a party mix is certainly acceptable for presenting pieces unknown to most. However, the cardinal rule is to reach out more towards what will be recognized by the people; people enjoy it more if they know the songs. Remember that being a good entertainer means satisfying your guests, not just your ego.
As a general rule, no more than 15-20% of the final mix should be unknown. This percentage is flexible, but keep it in mind. Fill the rest of the compilation with catchy Italian and foreign songs, both old and new
Step 5. Opt for a digital playback method
You have two options: shuffle (random play) or without. The former may be more fun for you, as you won't know what the next song will be, but it requires special attention to balance to avoid having too many songs by the same singer. On the other hand, if you decide to play the songs, you will create different moods over the course of the party (which may require various playlists if you use shuffle).
Step 6. If you decide on the manual playback method and burn CDs, the organization will be slightly different
You will need to organize the playlist in a certain order, but you can still randomize the single CD. If the stereo allows you to insert several discs, let it switch between CDs by itself.
Step 7. Consider scrolling the party
Most party mixes can proceed in two ways: rhythmic and fun from start to finish or by alternating styles. Any method is fine, but if you won't have the songs played in random order, go for the second option. In general, you can make the first half hour quieter and then insert moments of soothing music between each burst of lively songs. Slowly reaching peak energy is a good way to keep from getting bored.
Step 8. Create a closing list:
it will have to last an hour and include some quiet and relaxing music. Put it in a different playlist or on a separate disc. You can put it on before the party ends, to encourage people to get their things and leave. Pink Floyd's “The Dark Side of the Moon” was once a popular choice for ending a party. Among other artists, DJ Krush, Belle and Sebastian or the Replacements. In short, choose quieter music.
Step 9. Make the mix
Listen to each song to make sure it goes well; do this even if you opt for shuffling, always to see if the pieces work properly together. Once you feel satisfied, save the mix in digital format or burn CDs.
If the music will be coming from a phone or mp3 player, get a speaker cable at an electronics store (cheap)
Step 10. Put on the music
Knowing when to do it is an art. You can start as soon as the guests start arriving, but if you wait for half an hour, so that there are more people, you will get a better effect. The timing depends a lot on the type of party you have organized and the number of friends who will show up. In the next paragraph you will find advice on some variations and particular situations.
Method 2 of 2: Alternative and Special Situations
Step 1. Plan a dinner with class
If you've invited 4-12 people, you won't have to create a huge mix and there's no room for dance music either. Rather, allow everyone to relax and feel elegant by putting on some classic jazz. But not just any one. Opt for famous performers and lean towards song variations rather than original compositions (these are also fine if used in moderation).
- Do not play the songs in random order. Play each album from start to finish and then change it up, keeping the mood.
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As for the era, the one between 1951 and 1971 will do well. The jazz of those years has a classical sound that many find relaxing and sophisticated.
Consider these albums to start with: "Soular Energy", Ray Brown Trio with Gene Harris; "Time Out", Dave Brubeck Quartet; "Kind of Blue," Miles Davis; "Idle Moments", Grant Green
- You can also try a bossa nova album (like Antonio Jobim's “Wave”) or other relaxing genres, but don't make guests feel like they're listening to elevator music.
Step 2. Create an interactive mix
It is easier to do this with a CD or LP collection, but it is also possible with a digital music player. Before the party, put away any albums that are not suitable for a party and keep only the ones that are suitable for the main area. Pick one when guests arrive and leave the CDs in plain sight for everyone to have a look at. Allow guests to opt for an album or a few songs. Of course, everyone should have the chance to participate. Your guests will have even more fun and you will feel safe because you know that the albums already skimmed by you will still be put on.
For added security, don't leave hard or expensive albums lying around to replace if they go bad. During the holidays it can happen
Step 3. Create a themed mix:
it can be useful for certain parties, it is an excellent way to show off your collection and to give more structure to a public event (like a neighborhood party). Take a look at your collection and make mixes with your favorite songs from certain genres or for themed parties (sea, desert…). People will love this idea!
- Early rock songs, rockabilly and bebop are ideal for fun and retro-themed meetings.
- The funk and classic soul of the seventies give a seductive and decadent air during the warm summer evenings.
- Break the mix between EDM (Electronic Dance Music; Skrillex, Tiesto and The Chemical Brothers) and IDM (Intelligent Dance Music; Bonobo, Aphex Twin and Modeselektor) for a rave soundtrack. Among other options, you can mix beats and blend songs between the end of one and the beginning of the other.
Advice
- Open up to suggestions from your guests, so the party will be more fun for them. Take back control of the mix once you have fulfilled a request.
- When creating a mix, especially from random order, don't put in too many songs by the same artist. A maximum of three tracks per singer or musician should suffice in a mix of approximately 250 songs (a total sufficient for most parties). If the total pieces are around 100, reduce this number to two.
