My life as a Karaoke addict

Pre amble

Well, to say I am a karaoke “addict” is a bit strong really, although it is a pass-time I enjoy enormously. It started for me some years ago in a very small way. My pass-time has evolved a great deal since those early days, a journey I will never forget.

How it started for me

I don’t know what possessed me to do it, but one day whilst in a large record shop I noticed some Pioneer Karaoke discs ( non-graphic type with a lyrics sheet ) and decided to buy a couple. Strange thing for me to do because I had never even made an effort to go to a Karaoke night, what’s more, I had no intention of EVER getting up to sing at one. When I got home, I rigged up a way of connecting a mic. From an old tape recorder to my hi-fi, and on went the disc. We tend to not talk much about the way I sounded so let your imagination conjure up the image. Despite it’s Stone Age complexity, that little “spit and sawdust” set-up gave many hours of fun for me and my visiting friends, and at that point I noticed how much fun Karaoke can be.

It wasn’t long before I purchased more discs, and with them came more fun. As time went by, I found out just how accessible the professional equipment was and made a trip over the Pennines to a Manchester supplier to see what was on offer. I came away with a JVC 3 drawer player, a couple of mics. and a bundle of CDG discs, What a revelation they were too!!

With my new discs and a choice of about 100 songs, I found one I could actually sing in tune. This boosted my confidence and it was only a matter of time before I found myself getting up to sing in public. The reality was that I was dreadful, and it took a few pints and a lot of courage to find that out the hard way. I love singing so much this only spurred me on to try harder, I practised and practised until I got back enough confidence to have another go.

By this time I was visiting Karaoke nights once or twice a month and getting to see how it wasn’t about how good you are, but more to do with enjoying yourself. I got up again and concentrated not on getting the song right but on having a good time. A whole different experience emerged, after about half a dozen more tries over a period of time, I got up to sing Jessie by Joshua Kaddison. This was the turning point for me, the KJ called me over afterwards, and said it was the first time she had heard me sing properly and have I been having lessons? Well I was chuffed to bits and told her that I would keep trying until it came a bit more naturally to me.

This was now a bona-fide hobby so it justified building up a collection of discs. I now have approaching 200 discs and still collecting!! ( not bad for a home set-up ). Birthdays and Christmases saw presents like a radio mic., and more discs etc. I can’t see me ever getting fed up of Karaoke because with new songs arriving all the time, it is constantly changing. Singing is also a fantastic way to relax after a stressful day. I have often thought about setting up as a pro. KJ. For me though I think it would take too much away from what is now an interest/hobby. A bit like how some people think running a pub is similar to going out for a pint, but more regularly?? If you follow what I mean. Anyway my day job and constant late nights wouldn’t mix. I now try to go out to Karaoke at least once a week and have a singing evening at home once a fortnight. However at home I seldom get the chance to have a go because I get pushed to the back of the queue. That’s ok by me. I hope I can hold my own in Karaokeland, because there are some very talented singers out there, but hey, it is not for me to say.

What Karaoke has given back to me?

Well besides meeting some great people, especially those I have met through Karaokeinfo. I have a lot to thank Karaoke for, because I am not a natural performer, I have never revelled in attention of any kind, and as I mentioned earlier, never did I imagine that I might be the type of person who would get up in a pub and sing. Nowadays I don’t even get nerves when I get up to sing a song I have never sung before.

However, since my hobby has thrust a new me into my life, I have also taken up other challenges, which would have been passed over by the old me. For e.g. Many times I have been asked to give talks and courses in relation to my job, many times I have turned down those opportunities, not any more. I now feel fully at ease addressing an audience of hundreds. Being interviewed on radio and television

Doesn’t phase me anymore, just because for some of us, singing Karaoke for the first time is a big deal. But once you have endured baptism by fire, everything else is easy. So if you happen to be someone just starting out in the world of Karaoke singing, keep pushing yourself and your vocal ability. Try new songs all the time. But most of all enjoy it!!!!!!

The Essential Guide to Karaoke Machines

The world of karaoke machines can be very complicated. Adding to the confusion is the fact that there are so many different types of karaoke machines. They do not all use the same type of equipment. Different machines have different features. Plus they don't even use the same type of technology on their song disks! How do you make sense of it all?

Here to help you is Karaoke Machines 101: Everything You Need To Know! So let's get started. The first thing to be clear on is what all those terms mean that you hear bandied about.

Karaoke System - The karaoke system is the karaoke player, the monitor, the speakers, and can include the library of karaoke songs played by the player.

Karaoke Machine - usually this term is used to mean the karaoke player, or the machine that plays the karaoke music. However, some karaoke systems are all-in-one units which include the player, the speakers, and the monitor all on one machine. In this case, the karaoke machine is the entire system.

Karaoke Player - the machine that physically plays the karaoke songs.

Karaoke Monitor - the screen where the lyrics to the songs show up. The all-in-one units include this screen on the machine. Other systems use your TV as the monitor and for the speakers, too.

So that also explains your 2 basic types of karaoke systems. You have the all-in-one units, and you have the karaoke machines that hook up to your TV, similar to a DVD player.

Now let's look at the different types of karaoke song disks. The mainstream, and most popular, types of disks include DVDs, CDGs, CD+Gs, MP3s, and in-built songs. Most karaoke machines are built to accept one kind or the other, instead of all the different kinds.

DVDs - These are regular DVDs which include the music sound track and then the pictures on your screen are the lyrics. Most of the time you have the lyrics against a solid background. A lot of the newer ones, though, include moving, scenic backgrounds or videos.

CDGs, CD+Gs - Both of these terms mean the same thing. Basically, it is a CD for the sound track, but the CD is also embedded with the graphics, which are the lyrics to the songs. So the "G" simply stands for graphics.

MP3s - These are usually for your computer, MP3 player, or Ipod. You can find software which will strip the vocals from your MP3s so that you can then use the sound tracks for karaoke.

In-built - Some karaoke machines come with their own libraries of karaoke songs, so they are already built into the system.

Lastly, let's look at the various features available on your karaoke machines. Karaoke machines have different features you can use to make the singer sound better and more professional. These features include being able to change the pitch of the song, the key, the tempo, the volume. Being able to add echo to your voice is pretty standard, but some machines also include different ways to adjust this feature also, such as setting different echo lengths. Some machines call the echo feature "reverb".

All karaoke machines have an input for a microphone. But what if you want to sing duets? For this reason, many of the machines now include two microphone inputs. But only some of them have the capability to adjust each microphone separately for pitch and volume.

Another feature that you might like is a scoring system. With this feature you can have karaoke contests or see how your own routine improves with practice. The few machines that have this system usually score your performance on how well you control things like your pitch, tempo, volume, and tone.

There is one other feature that only some karaoke machines include, but it could be an important feature to you. These machines have the capability to let you play the songs with the vocals included to learn the songs, and then you can turn off the vocals to sing karaoke style.

So basically, all those different models, all those different features, and all those kinds of disks, boil down to just a few key concepts. Understanding these concepts will take you a long way towards understanding pretty much any model of karaoke machine. Now that you know them all, have some fun with your karaoke machines!

Having Fun With A Karaoke Machine

Everyone, including the Japanese would like to believe that they were the ones that came up with the idea of a karaoke machine. But, they would be wrong in assuming that, because in actuality, it was the TV network, NBC that actually came up with the first form of karaoke. Sure it was not a fancy self contained machine like it is now, but what they came up with was the first concept of singing along.

In the 1960’s, NBC came up with a family entertainment program, that they hoped would get families to sing a long together. They came up with a system that would put the words to a song on a TV screen and the audience was encouraged to sing a long with the song, while following a bouncing ball that was over each word and would move to the next word when it was time to sing that word. This show was called “Sing Along With Mitch”.

Once the show ran it’s course, nothing much was heard about such form of entertainment until 1971 when the Japanese decided to build upon the idea by creating what is now known everywhere as the karaoke machine. Of course everyone now knows what has become of the idea since then.

There’s no doubt that no matter where you are in the United States or some other country, that you will have no problems finding a bar or a lounge that offers karaoke as a form of entertainment.

Even if you are the type of person who scoffs at using such a thing as a karaoke machine, must admit that it does bring back memories from when you were a kid. Back in the day when you would hold a hair brush or something in your hand and stand in front of the mirror and sing away with your favorite song. What the karaoke machine allows people to do, is to go back in time, when you were a super star in your own mind, and relive that experience.

If you are really into the karaoke scene, there are no doubt, numerous outlets for your desire to share your karaoke abilities. And if you are looking for adventure and are competitive, you’ll find that a lot of the karaoke bars and lounges also offer up competitions for those who want to really show off their karaoke skills.

Having a karaoke machine at a birthday party, or a wedding, a graduation party, any group gathering, can add a lot of fun and personality to the event. Even the staunchest of guests who claim they simply don’t want to do something so silly, will in the end probably fell the cry of their inner child wanting to get up there and let it all out.

Now, if participating in the traditional way of karaoke is not exactly what you are looking for, technology has given you an out there. PlayStation 2 and the Xbox of course have gotten on board and created video games that allow you to rock out in virtual reality. The most popular now, being “Guitar Hero”. And if you are so into karaoke that you feel the need to be able to have it at your fingertips, try downloading a MIDI program to your cell phone and you’ll be able to perform at a moments notice by simply using your cell phone.

How to Sing Karaoke Songs for The First Time

By stoicsentry
User-Submitted ArticleSo you want to sing karaoke songs but you have never done it before? You need to find a place and time to do it. More importantly you are going to have to get over that stage fright that every beginner experiences. Do not worry if you are new to the idea. If you want to sing karaoke songs simply follow this guide and before too long you will be loving it!Instructions ;

1. Step1

   some tracks and develop a list of what you want to perform. At the very least be prepared to name a particular musician or band that you enjoy. Sing karaoke songs that you want to sing, don't just choose one at random. Try to keep it to more popular artists and titles. If the music is familiar to the crowd, they may be more likely to be forgiving with your singing abilities.

2. Step2

   Memorize the lyrics to the tune you want to perform. True, the bar or the karaoke machine is most likely going to have the words scroll by on a screen. Nevertheless, it is better to know the lyrics by heart before you sing karaoke songs. You do not want to trip over any words that you are unfamiliar with!

3. Step3

   Practice the karaoke songs you want to sing. Turn on your MP3 player or CDs in the car or when you are home alone and belt them out. No one can hear you so this is a good time to develop your ability and learn the nuances of the music.

4. Step4

   Tell some friends to sing karaoke songs with you! You'll be less nervous this way, especially if you bring along a few veterans and let them carry you.

5. Step5

   Purchase a karaoke machine or locate a bar, pub or another venue that lets you sing karaoke songs. Then press play or get up there on stage and have a great time. Good luck!