Sing Karaoke! A Guide for Beginners

Where It Began:

Karaoke is a very popular hobby. Originating in Japan, the karaoke machine typically provides background music to a selection of popular songs, as well as lyrics to guide the performer along. When karaoke performance machines came to the United States in the late 1980s/early1990s, many Americans viewed it as a relaxing, unprofessional hobby for amateurs.

Americans later popularized the belief that many individuals enjoying karaoke the most are also tone deaf. In My Best Friend's Wedding (1997), the protagonist Julianne (portrayed by Julia Roberts) learns that her would-be nemesis Kimberly (Cameron Diaz) is tone deaf. Julianne takes Kimberly to a karaoke bar as a prenuptual celebration to embarrass her. Though Julianne's plot essentially fails, the meaning remains the same--many tone deaf individuals have an undying love for karaoke.

This stereotype was eventually met by criticism and redefinition, particularly with the introduction of American Idol and similar shows.

Avoiding Intimidation:

The karaoke machine and the art of singing with it, however, was not a fad. Today, many individuals wish to perform karaoke at bars or parties, but are intimidated by the number of proficient performers, most of whom are simply karaoke bar regulars, would-be American Idols, and overconfident office monkeys who lack the ability express themselves in a day job.

The first step to avoiding feelings of intimidation from these karaoke professionals is to understand that many of them do actually practice. While karaoke is meant to be simple enough for anyone to simply choose a song and sing it, many performers have practiced in the car, through formal unrelated music education, and on systems at home.

Practice, Practice, Practice:

To make a confident performance, the first step is to practice. While it is helpful to have a karaoke machine at home (inexpensive models start around $45), the novice performer may rent or purchase the SingStar games for the Sony PlayStation2. These games essentially work like a karaoke machine--with feedback. Simply plug the microphones into the gaming system and follow the instructions. SingStar provides ratings and feedback, and also gives you a pitch guide during song performance to guide you with both music and lyrics. A beginner will learn which songs best suit his or her range, and one can build confidence easily by singing the same song repeatedly.

The internet now also offers a means of karaoke practice and review. On SingShot, performers can register for free and access karaoke music online. Users record and share their performances on this free online service, garnering feedback from other users. All that is needed for this website is a microphone. As a bonus, SingStar microphones also plug in to most computers.

Lastly, the most effective way to train for a debut karaoke performance is to sing along with songs on the radio or on CD in your car.

Decide on What Sounds Best:

Before you head out for karaoke night, have a list of at least five popular songs able to be performed in front of others. These songs should:

-Fit your vocal range

-Be sung at a reasonably loud volume

-Be relatively simple

-Fit the profile of popular but not overdone

Don't Go Alone:

It's usually best to take a troupe of trusted friends along when going to a bar in general, specifically a karaoke bar. Most people in karaoke bars hang with their own tight circle of friends, and some even compete. If nervous feelings still linger, have a little bit to drink, but don't overdo it! Remember, the point of this night out is to sing effectively during karaoke time. Make the best use of it!