Kiara's Rules of Karaoke
Until I see some of my notes applied, it doesn't make sense for me to make more
I consider myself a karaoke expert. Like everyone I have my good day and my bad days, but Karaoke is probably my favorite pass time besides reading and listening to music. I went to Karaoke last night for the first time in way too long and it was so much fun. There was a time when I was going to Karaoke at least once a week, so I have seen a lot of great performances and a lot of not-so-great performances. Beyoncé and Mariah are my mothers so it’s hard for me to see someone perform and not immediately start making mental notes. Karaoke is fun and ultimately shouldn’t be taken too seriously. However, I do think that a lot of people can benefit from these rules to take their performance to the next level.
Pick a song that you know all or most of the words to - This should be common sense, but you would be surprised the number of times I have had to sit through people singing songs that they don’t even know. I once sat through someone who didn’t know the words to that “shake shake shake senora” song. As if the lyrics aren’t on the screen and the same for most of the song! You don’t have to know 100% of the words but I recommend singing a song where you know all of the beats. I am never more annoyed then when someone is singing a song that they decided to sing that they don’t even know! It doesn’t make sense! Why do you want to embarrass yourself like that?
Don’t sing a ballad unless you know you are going to eat - There is nothing worse than having to sit through a 5-minute ballad that someone wanted to do to be funny. Karaoke should be fun. I understand sometimes you need to let your emotions out but most times I feel that people should stick to upbeat songs. No one likes a vibe killer.
Pick a song in your range - Listen, I get it. Sometimes you have a song in your heart, and you need to sing it no matter what you sound like. I’ve done it. We’ve all done it. But most times you should pick a song that you don’t have to strain to sing. Don’t underestimate a song that is not technically difficult to sing but is just a great song. More people will love your performance if you eat. If you know you can’t hit those notes mama let’s try a different song.
Don’t be afraid to move around or have Choreography - This has taken a regular karaoke performance of mine to the next level and will for sure make you memorable in people’s minds. Even better if it’s the actual choreography for the song.
Don’t hog the mic - Obviously, if there aren’t a lot of people in the bar, you’ll probably end up going a lot more times than normal. However, if you are going to hog the mic, every single song you do better be amazing. I mean show stopping. No one likes a showoff unless they are really eating.
Don’t be afraid to have someone on background - Sometimes a song is really a duet because of the necessary background vocals. If the bar has two mics don’t be afraid to ask a friend to be background. It will bring your performance to the next level.
Rehearse Rehearse Rehearse!! - Sometimes you want to sing a song and you think it’s in your range and then you realize that its actually way too high or too low. If you know you are going to Karaoke, I recommend throughout the day listening to the song to make sure you know all the cues. I even listen to the song outside of the bar just to make sure I don’t forget anything. I also have a karaoke playlist of songs that I may want to sing just so when I get there, I’m not scrambling trying to come up with something to sing. There is a reason why people have go to Karaoke songs!
Beware a duet - If you are singing a duet make sure that you trust the other person’s performance quality. Don’t go up there and sing with someone you know is going to be whispering in the mic. Don’t go up there if one of you is giving Beyonce and the other is giving Farrah. It honestly is just embarrassing for all parties involved. This is why its important to rehearse so if the song choice isn’t right then you can pivot to something else.
Energy - There is literally nothing worse than watching someone butcher an incredible song because they aren’t giving it the energy it deserves. If you are at Karaoke, act like it! Yes, this is a free performance but it’s a performance, nonetheless. People want a show! Give the people what they want!
Tip your Bartenders - This should go without saying but most bars that do Karaoke provide it for free. So, you should always get a drink and tip your bartenders. That way when you kill your performance, they may even give you a shot or a free drink! Trust me, I would know. I don’t drink that often, so I usually decline free shots when I kill a performance. But I do make sure that I get at least one drink that I nurse throughout the night lol.
What did I forget? What are your favorite Karaoke songs? What are your karaoke pet peeves? Let me know in the comments.