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by Cindy Starr
Some people (usually those who do not attend ‘karaoke
nights’) view this type of amateur audible voyeurism as annoying
at best. They picture the experience in their head as untalented losers
with nothing better to do scratching their vocal nails on a blackboard.
I admit, I was once at least a minor proponent of this uneducated theory,
that is, before I tried it and discovered how mistaken I was.
First, let’s dispel the ‘loser’ myth.
The list of celebrities who participate in this form of eclectic entertainment
is emerging every day. Kanye West, Lady Gaga, Rhianna, Jude Law, Kate
Hudson, Demi Moore and even Gerard Butler have been sighted spontaneously
grabbing the karaoke mike all over the USA and having a great time doing
it.
As for the rest of us, not all local karaoke singers
are desperate housewives or bar trivia playing guys who can’t get
a date. I can say with complete honesty that 9 out of 10 times, the singing
level of most crooners has been conspicuously and consistently competent.
Sure, every karaoke night contains the clueless clunkers who, God bless
them, have confidence to spare but can’t sing a note to save their
life. And yes, some are sloppier (dress and drunk level) than others,
but that’s why it’s great – it’s an equal opportunity
hobby for a lesson in humility and hilarity. |
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Here are just a few of the benefits of karaoke:
- It’s Fun! Enjoyable environment with music,
how can you resist?
- It’s Free! Why spend $30 to see a movie? Come
out for some gratuitous gratification for a change!
- Spend time with your friends – Whether they
join you or just clap for you, friends are just plain good quality time.
You may even make some new ones there!
- Confidence booster – Every time you finish a song, you can’t
help feel pride at accomplishing something and feeling better about yourself.
Hey, many people are too shy to try, but that’s why watching is fun
too.
- New hobby/reason to get out of the house – get
off the couch and turn off the TV! This could be your new weekend or weekday
activity. Anything that makes you sweat is exercise!
- Get to be someone else for a night. Hey it’s almost time for Halloween –do
you feel like Beyonce tonight or maybe Barry White? Neil Diamond or Nelly?
Be whoever you want to be!
Most people, whether they are young, old, timid, extroverts, lounge singers
or loud rockers, are just interested in doing something they love to do.
Would you have the guts to get up in front of people and practice your pitch
if you didn’t absolutely adore the act itself? And that’s all
that matters, really.
As for the cons of karaoke, there really aren’t many, if any. Just do
your best and try not to focus on the ‘audience’ as you return
to your seat. As I’ve said before, it’s not a contest, popularity
or talent, so ignore your judges, whether they are solid singers (where’s
their record contract again?) or bashful bystanders. If you aren’t having
fun either watching or joining in, then go home and watch a presidential debate,
that should be more relaxing. “It’s not American Idol.” If
you’ve ever sung karaoke somewhere, you’ve probably heard that
sentence. Sometimes you are trying to justify your lack of powerful pipes to
another participant, and that’s how they make you feel better. It’s
also an overused quip from a group that notices a prima donna who monopolizes
the microphone. Either way, I don’t think anyone mistakes a sticky bar
floor and beer soaked mic for a stage fit for Carrie Underwood.
a professional concert ?
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Karaoke can resemble a professional
concert or a hungry cat, depending on who is singing that particular
night. There are no auditions, anyone can get up and belt out a tune,
whether they are tone deaf or not. Suprisingly enough, I have seen a
great deal of talented crooners that show up at even the the dimmest
dive. If you have never gone to a karaoke night because you are positive
you will be twinging at off-key singers all night, think again. You will
probably encounter a few warped sounding warblers, but most likely you
will be entertained as well. Not every venue is the same; the performer
may be so lucky as to get an actual staged area, or it could be a 2 x
2 spot on the floor where you’re dodging the tipsy traffic.
Alcohol
is not a necessary component of karaoke, but a popular one. Liquid courage
definitely begets bravery for some singers, and some are just naturally
cocky, whether they have the skill to back it up or not. As for myself,
I’m smart enough to realize that although cocktails give confidence,
they can also cause chaos, such as forgetting words, slurring, etc. As
for the audience, imbibing can can lead to adulation and applause, but
that’s not always the case. Sober or not, there are the ‘judges’ out
there wherever you go, it’s part of the territory. The general
rule is, if someone is too afraid to put themselves out there, they should
just shut up and clap. |
This is also a great activity for shy people. I used
to be introverted when I was younger, so I’ve always had to push myself to engage in activities
where I’m in front of a crowd. This is not to say I don’t get so
nervous right before a song that I may as well be in front of the Julliard
school board. I wait to hear my name with anxious anticipation, and when it
is my turn, I feel like running away. For some people, this feeling continues
through the performance, and you can hear the ambivalence in their voice. With
me, although every part of my mind and body is trembling, I just tell myself
to go big or go home. It works, and I put on the best performance I can, engaging
the audience with eye contact and even dancing a little. Never let them see
you sweat.One thing I can always say about karaoke is that it is almost always
a good time, even for the amateur singer ‘haters’. As an amateur
myself, my rule is, if your singing doesn’t break any glasses, it’s
a good night!
Do you like being in the spotlight?
Up on a stage in
front of tens of people that you don’t know?
Many people don’t. A select few crave it and another
piece of the pie will at least try it once. It takes guts, there is no denying
that. You either have the confidence, or like me, you “fake it ‘till
you make it”. As far as karaoke is concerned, there are usually two different
magnitudes of being in the spotlight; 1) A large heavily populated venue that
usually houses a fairly ambitious stage, or 2) A small, intimate watering hole
with either a single-step stage or more simply, a little corner with a microphone
stand.
After cowering in a shy little corner for
the majority of my childhood, I suddenly became extroverted in my 20’s.
Before then, you couldn’t catch me in the smallest public cubbyhole
doing anything close to singing. Now I actually compensate by seeking
the spotlight, whether I’m dancing, enjoying a live band or performing
on karaoke night.
This is why it’s surprising that I prefer the more
modest haunts to exercise my vocal chords. I would love to be able to
successfully croon for a large group of people on a stage that towers
over my tallest friends. But alas, my talent is limited. There are inadequate
singers, average singers and amazing singers. I consider myself average,
but knowing the class of your ability is much better than the clueless
(but usually entertaining) many who mutilate a melody without even realizing
it.
I have tried some highly congested canteens and it is the biggest rush
if you know you conquered a chorus or two. Ignorance is not an option,
unfortunately, as the audience is almost always soul crushingly honest.
They either clap or they don’t – it’s that simple.
Sure, they may be busy drinking, smoking or talking, but when you hear
nothing but deafening silence, it’s usually a sign that your song
sank with the crowd. |
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That’s what makes a modest little haunt so appealing. It feels safer
to sing when you know you’re not being judged by a huge group of people.
If you tank, you’re not on display high above everyone and have to take
the walk of shame down the steps back to your table. On the other hand, if
you are not well received, it is glaringly obvious, I suppose, because there
are only a few people to applaud (or not to applaud, as it may be).
Still, I love the safety of being able to see all of
my friends, and judges alike. There are still lights on me, but I’m not up on a pedestal that
is higher to fall off of. The patrons are often friendlier as well and will
often high-five you or give you a compliment on the way back to your seat.
So you pick… crowded, cozy, or does size really matter? |
