If you want to DJ at your next party or want to create a great compilation to listen to when you work out, here are some tricks to get hit playlists. Learning to choose the right program, knowing how to organize and match the style of the music to the theme will allow you to create the perfect playlist.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Choosing a Program
Step 1. Choose a music program that allows you to create a playlist
You will have to take different methods to create a playlist, depending on the program you will use to play the music, whether it will be online, on a mobile device or on your computer. Often it will be enough to drag songs to a list, or select individual songs, right click and send them to the list. Start with an empty list, then fill it with the music you want to include in a playlist to learn how it works.
- Programs like Spotify and iTunes make creating playlists a simple and almost fundamental component of the listening experience. Project Playlist, Take 40, Windows Media Player and Grooveshark are also great programs for managing your music.
- Pandora and other internet radio stations allow you to create channels, but not playlists with specific songs.
Step 2. Upload some music to work with
Find music by typing the name of a song, band or artist you like. You can also search for generic music genres or artists to find new songs, or check what your friends or other site users are listening to.
- If you are using iTunes, you can select music that is already in your library, or you can search the store for songs to purchase and download.
- If you have iTunes, but don't have any music, you can also upload your CDs to the program to get a digital copy of the songs inside them.
Step 3. Create a playlist on the fly
Mobile devices allow you to create instant playlists by selecting songs and sending them to a playlist, or by selecting "Play Later", instantly transforming yourself into a DJ. You don't have to prepare playlists in advance, just follow the inspiration.
Part 2 of 3: Choosing the Music
Step 1. Start with a genre
Start with your favorite music genre first and add your favorite songs from different artists of that genre. The ultimate hip-hop, classic rock, and classic baroque playlists are great for sorting your tracks.
- You can also decide to start from a single artist. If you have all the records ever recorded by Bob Dylan, you will have to go through a lot of tracks. Choose your 50 favorite songs from his discography and sort them into a playlist of hits.
- Alternatively, while it might make sense to limit yourself to one genre, you won't be forced to. Try to vary. Add prog-jazz or a classic-folk-gothic fusion track to your playlist. Why not? There are no rules except those dictated by your taste.
Step 2. Start with a theme
Playlists offer you the opportunity to become some sort of museum curator, or a DJ who tells a story with songs. Choose a style, theme or idea to sort your playlist by. Create a playlist consisting of songs that have "black" in the title, or a playlist of love songs only. Be creative. Some possibilities include:
- Separation songs
- Songs for Monday morning
- Work songs
- Songs to listen to with headphones
- Aggressive songs
- Psychedelic songs
Step 3. Start with an opportunity
Another way to create a playlist is to think about its purpose. Most people want to listen to very different types of music whether they are at the gym, on a romantic date, or trying to relax before bed. Create playlists and choose songs to suit every occasion. Here are some occasions you can make good playlists for:
- Work out
- Driving to work
- Summer barbecue
- Dance party
- Meditation or relaxation
Step 4. Use nostalgia to your advantage
Try making a playlist of songs that you listened to in your freshman year of college, or that you heard on the radio when you were a kid. Create a playlist of songs your dad always listened to, or songs you heard on the road trip to football practice. Choose songs that remind you of your best friend. Creating a playlist is a great way to stay connected with the past.
Try telling a story with your playlist. How could you sum up your entire middle school experience into 10 songs? Give it a go
Step 5. Start with the audience
Many clumsy teens have won their girlfriends with a curated playlist of love songs, and many amateur DJs have filled the dance floors with a variety of specially chosen dance songs. Consider the reference points, tastes and opinions of the people who will listen to the playlist. If the playlist is just for you, you will only have to worry about your personal taste!
Step 6. Plan well
Organize playlists to include all songs of a certain theme or period. For example, you could create a playlist of the Top 100 best-selling songs in 1967, or a playlist of Beatles songs. If you wish, you could create a huge playlist with all the albums mentioned in Rolling Stone's list of 100 Best Albums of All Time. Or you could create your own hit list for fun.
Part 3 of 3: Knowing How to Sort the Songs
Step 1. Put all the songs in a playlist
The best thing about many apps and websites is that you can turn on shuffle play, edit your playlist, and add songs even after you're done, so you don't have to worry about ordering again. You can always change things, not like a CD or cassette. Start inserting all the songs you might include in the playlist and worry about sorting them later.
Alternatively, you could choose the compilation approach, and insert one song at a time, carefully sorting the progress of the playlist. This is especially useful for playlists to dance to or listen to with headphones
Step 2. Start with a smash
Whatever the listener's theme, genre, or taste, one thing about playlists is universal: it has to start with a good song. Start with a song that will grab the attention of anyone who listens, or that starts the selection of your favorite songs with a bang.
Alternatively, the order of the songs could be predetermined (like in a chart) or maybe you don't care about having an order. You can turn on shuffle play, or sort songs alphabetically to find them more easily. These choices are best for very long playlists
Step 3. Include moments of different intensity
In most cases, a great playlist will contain various styles, tempos and tones in the music, or it will become repetitive and obvious. Even if you are making a playlist of the best of Black Metal, try to throw in some more atmospheric songs, or it will be difficult to hear it all.
A playlist for a party, on the other hand, should always increase in intensity, so start with a great success and gradually pick up the pace. A sleep-inducing playlist should proceed in reverse. End it with white noise or silence
Step 4. Listen to the transitions
Some songs end abruptly, while others have tails that gradually die out. Some rock songs end with long kickback parts, while others with a simple ending chord. Listen to the ending of the songs to understand how to choose the best transitions.
Avoid auditory schizophrenia. Some variety is welcome, but going straight from Slayers to Simon and Garfunkel will sound odd. It's your playlist, but try to pick a relatively sensible order. From Slayer to Led Zeppelin to Simon and Garfunkel? Much better
Step 5. Try it
You can upload your playlist to your phone, iPod, CD or any other portable device like a USB key and take it with you when you go for a run, to the gym or to a party. Delete the songs that are not suitable and add others that enhance the experience you are creating a soundtrack for. If the Cat Stevens song doesn't relax you as much as you thought, delete it and replace it with a softer one. It will be easy to make changes.
Advice
- You can convert your CD songs to MP3 for your playlists.
- You can choose the length and style of the playlist.
- You can create short playlists of 10 songs or longer playlists with 300 songs or more.
