How to Sing Karaoke

Karaoke is all the rage now -a- days. The question is can you karaoke? The answer is yes you can with the right strategy. Do you really need a plan in mind just to get together with friends and sing your hearts out? Throw in a bunch of drunk strangers and let me tell you things can get ugly. Most karaoke bars don't have a don't hassle or heckle policy and it does happen. Battle scars serve as reminders. Yet, after several years of karaoke singing let's just say I've become
an expert on the ins and outs.

First of all, what's the worst that can happen? Well, a decent singer can come across as "less than pleasant sounding" if the sound system isn't up to quality standard. Also, if the d.j. has the volume down too low you'll need to sing louder. To avoid embarrassment it's important to note that technical difficulties can throw you off. If you're not expecting a glitch you may not know how to react. Let's suppose the c.d. skips [kinda like a record]. You have the choice of requesting another c.d. and song. Usually when it's clearly not your fault the d.j. will oblige you by pulling out the track of your choice. Sometimes when it's clearly your fault [you forgot how the song is supposed to sound] the d.j. will take mercy on you. Just don't sing half the song and walk off stage. This is bad manners and truth is never let 'em see you sweat. The worst singers aren't the ones who get heckled. The insecure singers are more likely to get heckled.
Remember karaoke has a lot to do with social interaction. You may assume karaoke is simply about getting up and doing your own thing in your own head. Wrong. If you're not prepared for the actions of others you'll be thrown off. A funny thing happens to those brave enough to sing in front of a crowd.Some people harbor a bit of jealousy due to the fact that they're not brave enough to sing in front of a crowd. I mean that instid of putting in their own songs they invite themselves to duet with you. This can be messy especially if you're caught off guard. For example what if they can't sing a lick and they make you sound bad or worse. Also, some people sing better on their own while others sound better in a group. Certainly who you sing with should be your choice. In a bar people can get forceful. Whatever your reaction may be please don't throw a fit. This will only make the other person angry. Another thing you don't want to do is allow someone else to fight your battles. Your best friend could wind up knocking out some girl's tooth. That's so not karaoke.That's just a bar fight. What I've found that works best is to out sing the person who is intruding. Really pick up your melody and sing out. They most often become self conscious and bail out. Congrats. Of course, sometimes singing with someone else can be fun. It shouldn't be a situation where someone imposes on your self expression and creativity. Respect is the number one golden rule of karaoke. If only everyone stood by this golden rule...

Having a theme doesn't hurt. Elvis impersonators go over well in most karaoke bars, but don't wear the whole get up. And only go Elvis if you're really good at it. Having a signature song can make you or break you. Sing a few often enough, but don't get stuck on the same old same old all the time. Add new songs on a regular basis. Keep karaoke as it was intended to be;karaoke. This means poetry belongs at poetry readings. Want to perform your own songs? Don't up stage. Get a non karaoke gig. If sharing your orginal songs is that important to you it's worth the extra effort. Don't dare be unprepared unless you really don't care how you come across. If you're just singing once in awhile to be going along with your home crowd there's no need for preparation. If you're a regular you will remembered; even by people you'll forget in five minutes time. Invest in a karaoke machine and practice songs beforehand at home. You also have the option of simply printing lyrics off the world wide web and at least practicing your vocal technique, but keep in mind singing acappella is different from singing along with the music and back ground vocals.

If you're not the most experienced singer [you've never been apart of a choir] pick your songs cautiously. Liking or loving a song doesn't mean you should sing it. Go with what's meant for your voice. Still, when people get drunk enough they'll applaud anything or they stop paying attention all together. The smaller the crowd the more you'll need to work your voice, because they're either half asleep to begin with or they're engaged in one on ones. Small crowds require more vocal ability and less physical performance. A good stance or eye catching standing position with a voice projected forward will gain the attention you'd otherwise be lacking in a nearly empty club. If the place is hopping you can get a little more carried away. Reguardless of crowd size always project. Projecting when the crowd is dim will direct attention toward the stage. Projecting when the crowd is overbearing will assure you're being heard. Karaoke listeners can't stand when a singer doesn't "sing up." It's the same as not speaking up.

If your hobby is singing karaoke you already know that not everyone who shows up on karaoke night is there just for the music. Some are looking for an easy lay and others are out to get stinking drunk or both. So, beware. Watch your drink. Don't foget it's possible for someone to slip something into your soda, not just your beer. It's possible to remain sober in a room full of drunks, but not if you're easily bullied. Alcohol and good looking cowboys or good looking women if you're a man can take your focus off the music and put it on the after party. Getting drunk every week shouldn't become a hobby. Singing songs and enjoying the company of friends is perfectly acceptable, even therapeutic. There are places such as restaurants where alcohol is sold without the bar atmosphere. In other words most, but not all places hosting karaoke serve alcohol. Some restaurants do have karaoke, but again you'll probably still witness a drunk rendition or two of hard core country. I've even heard of Christian karaoke. If you're a non drinker take along another non drinker or look for others like you when you get there. You're not going to be the only one. Sitting in a group even if it's a group who adopts you spur of the moment will help keep the pushy guys or crazy girls off of you. All this said have fun and sing your heart out. Oh and one more thing... even though you want to sound your best it's really just karaoke and karaoke is meant to be fun. Be sure you choose an establishment where the d.j. understands this.