We have all been to parties, bars or social functions when someone brings out the karaoke equipment. Some individuals get very excited, while others try to find an excuse to leave the room or find a hole to crawl into..
Karaoke music can be a lot of fun, if it is kept in the right perspective. The whole idea behind karaoke is to sing the songs you enjoy no matter how poor a singer that you are. However, it does take some nerve to get started. Here are some rules to follow whenever you find yourself in a karaoke situation.
Rule One; Know your music. Always select music that you know the lyrics to by heart. The worst thing that a singer can do is not know the words. Even if the words are flashed in front of you on a screen, pay attention to what you are reading. People get so over confident that will make mistakes as they sing along.
Rule Two; Keep to your skill level. Don’t venture into a song that your voice can’t handle. High and Low notes can be very embarrassing to individuals that can’t reach those levels.
Rule Three; Don’t boo or heckle; If someone is just awful, don’t belittle them. Just imagine if it was you on the stage or taking your turn and someone treated you that way. You can think or laugh to yourself. Just remain quiet. This isn’t something like a talent show. It is for having fun with music. Use the Golden Rule. Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.
Rule Four; Don’t Repeat. If somebody has already sung the song you want to sing, pick out another. Nobody likes to hear the same song over and over. This isn’t a contest to see who can “Misty” the best.
Rule Five; Stay in your seat. One of the rudest things to do is get up and leave the room while someone is singing. Hold off on that trip to the bathroom or outside for a smoke. If you must leave for an important reason, do it very quietly.
Rule Six; Don’t Talk; When someone is singing, don’t carry on a conversation with your friends. If you must talk, whisper.
Rule Seven, Always Clap; When someone is finished, no matter how good or bad they were, clap for them. If for nothing else, at least their effort.
Rule Eight, Choose before you lose. when you arrive, go through the song book first and sing the song through in your mind. Be selective about what song that you want. This will save you from being embarrassed in front of everyone.
Rule Nine, Don’t Drink and Sing. OK, I know that a drink might give you the courage to go through with your song. However, nobody wants to hear a drunk sing. Well maybe some don’t. If you are at a bar, the longer you wait to sing, the more you will drink. It could be a bad combination.
Rule Ten, Select short songs. Songs with short phrases work best for beginners. Research the song book to pick out a short song before you sing.
Lastly, keep in mind that karaoke singing is for fun. Nobody is perfect at it. That is why it goes over so well. However, every now and then you will run across a person that can really sing. If you have a lighter or a match, use it to show your appreciation. However, put it our quickly.
Another good idea is to sing your song before the crowd arrives or when they are so intoxicated that they don’t know who is singing. Anyway, have fun that is what karaoke is all about.
