Karaoke Tips on Proper Etiquette and Proper Singing to Live By
CA

Many of us thought that karaoke singing reveals our talents in music, but the truth is, it's not only that, it also reveals our well-kept personality. While the song expresses our hearts and minds, our voices express our souls.

The following are tips on etiquette for karaoke singing that you may use for better relaxation and enjoyment, plus for the building of friendship and a heightened level of fun.

ETIQUETTE:

-There should be different performance levels. The golden rule is, 'you clap for everyone regardless of their singing ability and never make fun of anyone.

-Avoid joining someone who is singing, unless they have asked you to do so.

-Do not take advantage of signing up different names to get more turns on the microphone. Running a fair rotation keeps karaoke patrons happy and welcoming to others. This will help us maintain camaraderie even to those who we do not know.

-If you sing in a duet or with a group that may be considered as your turn even if you did not sign up for your turn. Realize that others are patiently waiting and you will not be well received by the audience if you have sung lot of times, and the microphone stays longer and they are impatiently still waiting for their turn.

-Avoid bringing your drink to the staging area. Singing while drunk is annoying and it will not help you sing better, although it may be amusing for others to watch. If being the amusing drunk isn't the image you are going for, then drink moderately.

-Avoid talking or laughing loudly next to a singer. They can't hear the music and it is disrespectful and distracting.

-Support the venue. They buy karaoke to make money. When you spend money at a karaoke venue for drinks and food, you are helping to pay for the karaoke and thereby keep it at that location and business.

PERFORMANCE TIPS:

-For best receipting sound, hold the microphone 3 inches away from your mouth. It should be held at an angle that is perpendicular with the floor (i.e. straight out from your mouth). You will get feedback if you 'cup' the mic by holding your hands around the tip.

-For very loud and powerful tunes and songs, or loud parts of songs, pull the mic away to about 5 inches so as not to overwhelm the audience or the equipment. Some karaoke units will actually shut down or have feedbacks if you sing loudly into the microphone. Screaming into the microphone is very annoying to those that are listening and trying to enjoy the music.

-Avoid swinging the microphone by the cord. It ruins the equipment and you might injure someone. Besides, it is distracting and does not positively add to your singing performance. So with tapping the microphone to test its sound. Better click it an inch away by your fingers.

-If you have never sung in front of an audience before, you may incline to sing very softly. But you will sound much better if you project the song confidently (even if you are scared to death and sing a bit off key). Stay focused on the fact that the reason you are singing is to perform something the audience will enjoy and not for the audience to feel bad, but also for all of you to have fun. You don't have to have the best voice to put on a good performance. There had been standing ovations for people who can't sing well at all, but because they "get into it."

-Most karaoke bars will allow you to bring in and sing to your own karaoke CDs. Some don't like it because they have to keep and eye out for them. You may also notice that some of the words are different (or just plain wrong) than the popular version. I think this may be because some CDs are produced overseas. Ignore the wrong words and sing the correct ones.

-You will sound best if you sing a song you know very well and that is in the right range for your voice. An average singer can sound very good by choosing the right song. There are certain songs that are always crowd pleasers and that will take the pressure off.

By observing these tips and etiquettes, you'll definitely have fun with a group; you will really enjoy the experience and get relaxed. Many ignored or did not know that there are etiquettes in karaoke jam. In every act we make, there are certain rules to be followed. Abiding by them is not too much to ask.