ALL AROUND TOWN
by Bonnie Turner
First off, let me say that I truly appreciate the opportunity to publish pertinent information that karaoke singers might find interesting. I hope you will find the following both helpful and informative.
Karaoke Etiquette
So you’re all decked out and ready for a night of singing at your local karaoke club. Before you go, keep the following tips in mind. They will help the KJ keep the show running smoothly and make it a more enjoyable and fair experience for everyone there.
1. Once you pick your song, fill out the request slip carefully. It’s easy to write down the wrong song number (especially after a few beers), and this helps the host keep things moving if they don’t have to look the song up again in their book.
2. Always use your real name. If you have a common name or know that someone else has the same or similar name, put down both first and last names. When people start using different names or aliases in a crowded club, it is hard to keep the rotation fair, especially if the KJ doesn’t know all the faces well.
3. When the KJ calls your name, try to get up and to the mic as soon as possible. You would not believe how many times someone has to take another hit or two off their cigarette and down
a beer AFTER their name has been called. When the club is crowded and this happens a few times, that takes up enough time that one or two people won’t get their song requests called.
4. Keep it appropriate, especially if you are at a restaurant. There may be kids present, even if it is late, or there may be adults who take offense at bad language (maybe even the KJ).
5. Do not hold on to the mic and make a speech after you are done singing. Everyone knows that AC/DC rocks, Xxxxxxxx State sucks, etc. and taking several minutes of someone else’s
singing time to remind us all is not fair to the person or persons who won’t get to
sing their song.
6. If the KJ is using corded microphones, DON’T swing the mic by the cords. Yeah, this may make you look cool, but it damages the cord, and replacing them every month gets kind of expensive for the KJ.
7. Every karaoke host I know takes offense to someone spilling drinks on or near their equipment, CDs or books. If you want to hold your drink while you sing, that’s fine,
but don’t sit it by the equipment or spill it on the mic, system, TV or cords.
Most professional systems start out around $3,000 and go up from there,
and a good music collection is worth at least twice that much.
8. Tips are greatly appreciated, but most KJs would rather not accept a tip if given with the intent of having your name moved up in the rotation. Every KJ has their own system
for keeping things fair, and it makes us feel bad to accept a tip if we know that is
the only reason. It is customary to tip a dollar for each song that you get to perform.
9. Don’t lie to the KJ and tell them you have to leave in 10 minutes just to get your song in. If it is a legitimate request once in a while it may work, but if you do this more than once and
then stay for two more hours, the KJ will get your number and won’t put up with it anymore.
10. Don't thump, hit or blow into the microphone. Make sure the switch is turned on if it has one (some don't). If your voice isn't loud enough, the KJ will turn it up.
It really will help to keep these tips in mind, but most important of all is to relax and have a good time. That’s what singing karaoke is all about, whether you are a great singer
or your just there to unwind.
|