|
|
|
|
This article is designed to help anyone to enjoy karaoke and improve their singing performance whether it be as a "virgin" karaoke singer or as someone starting out on a singing career. It contains tips designed to help old hands and newbies alike achieve a better karaoke singing style. The best piece of advice is to bear in mind that one of the whole idea behind karaoke is that it doesn't matter how good(or bad) your singing is - you are singing for your own enjoyment. The people in the karaoke bar are there usually because they enjoy karaoke too, so it is not expected that you perform like the next American/Pop Idol. In fact some of the most boring karaoke nights I have been to have been spent watching a succession of pretty decent singers. If I wanted that I would go and see a show.
That said there will be many of you out there who desperately want to use karaoke as a step on the road to becoming the next pop idol or want to win a karaoke contest. So here goes....
Choose a song that you are very familiar with and that suits your style of singing. You have probably heard people murdering a very popular song (usually anything by Anastasia) when they would have sounded 10 times better singing a song that they knew well and suited their voice.
If possible take your own karaoke disc, I have never known a kj refuse to play a singer's own disc. You will have practised this to perfection at home and your performance will be 100% better as a result.
Alternatively sign up for a streaming karaoke subscription and you can practise any one of thousands of songs. For advice on streaming karaoke click here. Similarly don't be afraid to ask the kj to change the key to suit your voice. A song that you may struggle with in one key may be just right for you if its taken down a semitone or two. Most digital key changers will allow at least eight steps down and eight steps up.
Unless you have an exceptional singing voice, sing an up-tempo number. Slow romantic love songs (what my Dad would have called a ballad) need a big voice to be done properly. Unless you like straining to hit and hold long high notes give it a miss and choose something quicker which will get the place jumping. Up tempo songs require much less technical ability and in karaoke terms are generally more entertaining. You can usually tell a slow song isn't going too well when the kj starts to wave a lighter in the air. You may find this flattering and make you think
Don't drink too much! Alcohol will make you shout and slur and is definitely not good for the vocal chords or getting your words right!
Don't hassle the karaoke host, he has a set way of prioritising the singers. Generally first time singers are put on first (they jump the queue), so don't expect the singing order to run in exactly the same sequence as the slips were handed in.
Fill in your request slip fully ensuring the track number etc is perfectly correct. There is nothing worse than getting up there only for the wrong song to start.
Treat the mic with respect! Don't shout into it, knock it, twirl it around by its lead or throw it. The kj will not be happy to the say the least and although you probably think you resemble a cool mic throwing rock legend, chances are you just look like a jerk!
Hold the mic about an inch away from your mouth - you should never touch the mic with any part of your mouth or face, both from a singing and a hygenic point of view! For long high notes start with the mic further away from you and as you hold the note slowly bring it nearer. This has the effect of making the note sound stronger and more consistent. As you run out of breath the mic is nearer and the note remains constant. Practise this technique if you can.
If you are really serious there is always the option of singing lessons. There are now some very affordable internet courses which have achieved fantastic results. Give one a try.
Above all ENJOY yourself - that is the whole idea.
Copyright The-Karaoke-Advisor.com
Daniel Morris is a writer and designer of The-Karaoke-Advisor.com an online karaoke resource and advice center.
 Electronic House | Logitech Introduces Squeezebox Boom All-in-One Network Music Player MarketWatch - unveiled the Logitech(R) Squeezebox(TM) Boom all-in-one network music player, featuring an integrated amplifier, high-performance speakers and a simplified ... Logitech unveils Squeezebox Boom network music player Logitech Squeezebox Boom wireless music player makes Sonos look ... Logitech Squeezebox Boom: The ultimate Wi-Fi radio? |
 The Age | Wanted: Female Celebrity to Kiss Katy Perry! E! Online - Madonna and Britney Spears did the girl-on-girl thing at MTV's Video Music Awards years ago, but can you ever really get enough celebrity same-sex smooching ... Britney Spears 'too busy' for MTV Awards Professional Category Nominees Announced For MTV VMAs Spears manager rules out MTV show |
Record-Setting Attendance Ready to Rock at Revelation Generation ... MarketWatch - Revelation Generation is an annual music festival which takes place on Revelation Farms in Frenchtown, NJ, a 140-plus acre property owned by Robert and Kim ... |
 Reuters | Terrence Howard hopes to be music hit too Reuters - He said the label initially wanted him to work with writers and producers to come up with songs and style his music. "I remember telling them, ... Terrence Howard gives his all to music |
Hamtramck fest offers pierogi, polkas and rock local music highlights Detroit Free Press, United States - As in years past, two stages welcome multiple genres of music all weekend. Highlights this year include rockers Scott Morgan's Powertrane, Speedball, ... |
 Washington Post | Every little bit Phelps: Swimmer a VMA presenter The Associated Press - But as a presenter at the 2008 Video Music Awards, all that fresh Olympic bling will certainly help. The swimmer who took home a record-breaking eight gold ... Every little bit Phelps: Swimmer a VMA presenter |
LOCAL BAND SPOTLIGHT Millions of Brazilians storm onto Detroit ... Detroit Free Press, United States - It's actually a high-powered rock band -- three people, based in Taylor -- that is creating a buzz on the Detroit music scene. Totally bass-less: Barely a ... |
Top 5 iPod features you'll never see CNET News, CA - If the rumors are right, I'll be chewing my toes on this one, but I just don't see any motivation for Apple to take up a subscription music model. ... |
Heard this before? Music industry isn’t sold on iTunes Reuters - Once again, record companies are questioning the wisdom of selling music on iTunes. This time, the griping shows up the Wall Street Journal. ... Music Labels Rethink iTunes, Again; Same Old Gripe of Album vs Singles Music cartels pull select singles from iTunes Store in attempt to ... Record Labels Skip Apple's iTunes |
 The Age | Arrest Signals Tougher Stance On Music Piracy Wall Street Journal - The songs appeared in June on a music Web site, antiquiet.com, which is registered to Kevin Cogill under the alias Kevin Skwerl. The FBI says Mr. Cogill, ... Video: ShowBiz Minute: Phillips, 'Suge,' Venice Blogger Arrested For Music Leak Culver City Music Blogger Arrested by FBI |
| Top of Page home Bookmark Us Now ctrl+d 1st 4 Music, shopping via 1st4music cost no more than going direct and can often save you money with special offers. with questions or comments about this website |