Karaoke Forums

I guess my definition of filler differs from everbody else When a singers song ends My system immediately cross fades into fill depening on the delay I have set (usually at a lower volume) The instant I talk into the announce mic this fill is ducked to a very low volume that also is adjustable. Ok lets get Bill up( 2sec the fill is back) Hey susie howa (ducks) Bills got mic in hand I click mouse it cross fades to Bills song in one second.

These settings depend on size of rotation venue age of crowd bar or party. I have an infinite amount of ways to do it and can  change accordingly.... These methods can control the amount of time a singer responds also..Which also depends on the situation...

Yes, If you have one player and one drawer, you're wasting a lot of singing time.   I wouldn't go to any show that had to use one player and wait between songs.   1958.

I do not force people to use a stage for psychological reasons.

1.  When I set up, I am also on the floor.    Psychologically, I'm now on their level.  Not above them.    It's not about me or my big head.  As some would believe.   I am more approachable.    Eye to eye.   Not looking down at them.    Puts them at more ease.

2.  The chances of getting more people invovled in singing is greater, when you eliminate the stage factor.    That is why you're there.     What is more intimidating than getting up on a stage in front of strangers to deliver your speech or performance?     Under the glare of a spot light.   Most people never have to do this type of thing in their daily jobs.    So it scares them.   I don't want scared people, I want happy people.

3.   People always sit or try to sit in the same place in the bar, every night they come.   Same table, same stool.     It's their comfort zone.   So where do you think they will feel more comfortable singing?     I deliver the mike to them.  Talk about kissing their A**.    They sing from the recliner and look right at the TV.

4.   Yes, there are a few hams.   The ones that sing MY WAY. (biggest HAM in the building.)   And a few others.   These people like the spotlight.  And that's OK.    You can move anywhere in the bar that you want.   Into the shadows or under the brightest light you can find.    It works equally for everyone.

5.  The majority of the people are average Joes, that just want to sing and get some recognition for a job well done.   It's not about the spotlights.

6.  Climbing the steps up to the stage, is like climbing the steps to the gallows, for the hanging.    That's the picture they get in their head.   What could be worse than that?   Also, when you are on the stage every eye in the place is on you.    More intimidation for them.    They watch every step up and down.  What if you trip?  Now you really look like an idiot and you're even more self conscious.

7.  I'm trying to take away all of the fear factors I can.  To achieve maximum participation.

8.  Standing on top of the stage and yelling out someones name, to report to the principals office, isn't what I picture as fun.

Read some psychology books.  Get to know how to relate to people.  Don't take the word of a non working, idiot like me.    :D

We have a small stage.  About six inches off the floor.  Our crowd likes it.  I like it.  Not for me, but for them.  When our singers sing, people want to be able to see them.  The NON-SINGERS LIKE THAT.  For most people who sing karaoke; it's about them.  It's there 3-4 minutes "in the spotlight."  They want to be seen; to be heard; and to be appreciated.

Kelly

I went to a place in Hawaii that did it the same way. I liked it.

Believe it or not I'm nearly a nervous wreck when I step off of the stage after a song.

Everyone clapping is the recognition they want.     Given the choice of singing on a stage or from their seat, I'm willing to put my money on the seat.   I'm sure there are some that want to sing, but won't get up under the light.    Pretty hard to resist staying right where you are.  You just eliminated the stage, as a reason for not singing.   I actually have people that want to stand behind the table with me.  Or look for a place that isn't as bright, as the rest of the bar.   They want to be hidden.   They are just shy people.    But they will do it from the safety of the floor.   The point is, I got them to sing where in another setting they wouldn't.    :hi5:  The majority of the singers are not seeking the glamor.    Just ordinary people that want to sing a song and in their mind, they are "four minute" famous.   You could be missing a few singers, by having the stage.

I have people that are a total wreck when they have to sing.  Deer in the headlights look.  :shock:   Hands shaking like a leaf in a thunder storm.   Knees knocking like bongo drums.  :drums:   Mike covers tightened so tight, they crack them.  Hands so wet, the mike is slippery.    You look at them and they are squeezing it, like it's a poisonous snake.   That's without a stage to add to their fear.    :O   They do this in their seat.  To get on a stage, they would need help.

MY CHALLENGE TO ALL OF YOU.    

Get one of the experts here to give you information on a good $50 cordless mike.    Use it for one month and see if the crowd wants you to quit using it.   See if you get more participation.    You can always sell it to someone.  

TAKE THE "BIGDOG" CHALLENGE.    :yes:

You'll never go back...........  :D

I've always used a stage & also never had anyone refuse to get up - even the nervous nellies.  It's even lighted in front & back.  I am set up off to the side of the stage - not on it, I would never set-up ON the stage, so I am at the people on the floors level as well - not above them in any manner.
As far as fill music, it works for me.  I have 3 karaoke players that I have the 3 singers cued up (1 playing & the next 2 ready).  The fill music is coming from my computer that I use strictly for my rotation program & the fill music - always running in a random pattern from approx 9K songs.  When a song ends, the fill music fades in, I call the next singer, they come up to the stage, I fade the music out & start their song.  If they are taking more than a few seconds, I take that opportunity to make a couple bar announcements, specials, events coming up or something.  It isn't turned up loud enough to get anyone going per se, just loud enough to keep the flow going.  Fill (transistion) music doesn't make a show less professional.    
I won't use cordless mics mainly because I have a stage, my SM58's are fine, same as the wireless 58's, just without the wireless aspect.  A cordless mic does not make a show more professional.
Rarely do I ge the complaint/whine to 'let the fill song play', but if I do, I just look at them & smile & maybe ask someone to sing it for them.

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Like Bigdog I use wireless. Because I like them.  In reality I have had more people say they like using the wired as apposed to the wireless.  Why?  They say because it gives them something to do with their other hand.  Go figure.

But like Lonman, I have never had anybody afraid to get up on the stage.  I too am back in a "corner" so as to be outta the way.  I have a tall chair up on stage that sometimes those a little nervous like to use.

Kelly

This aspect of the topic is not about professionalism, it's about getting more people to feel comfortable about singing.

The cord and a mike stand are things to hide behind.   Granted they are not big enough to hide anyone, but it's a psychogical hiding place.   Get into their head.   They are scared.    Most of them, anyway.

Ok, but a wireless mic that they sing from their chair isn't necessarily going to give anyone more confidence to sing.  I'm sure there are people that wouldn't touch the mic even if there were NO people in the bar - wireless wouldn't help that.  If your way works for you - that's great you can make it work, I choose not to, my crowds enjoy the stage & getting up there.  I have several that REALLY work the stage like a pro & claim that's part of the reason they come back.  But again, I get all kinds of people from extreme newbies to seasoned singers & not once have I heard a complaint about having to get on the stage.  I am very encouraging to the new singers & will stand off to the side of them & give them support & this will help them through & then when finished, they usually thank me & put up another song.  Same goes with suicide songs, some people try to quit singing, I will help them - again off to the side - and get them back on track (provided I know the song somewhat).  Stages are also pretty common around here, maybe not a stage, but at minimum a staging/singing area where people will still need to get up to that area - and these shows are all successful.

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Agreed.  Don't guess I have ever been to a place that if it didn't have a stage it at least had a spot set aside for the singers.  Seems at my shows, that were all the excitement is, is on stage.  Our crowd likes to be able to see that.  The non-singers want to be entertained.  That's the purpose of the stage.

I personnally wouldn't enjoy going to some place that didn't have one, or at least a place set aside.  And that's even with me not singing.  Just from a spectator view point. Seems to me if people aren't energetic enough to get up off their butt, it would make for a long boring night.  Not saying that I haven't  had a couple people over the many years sing from a table; the crowd just appreciates it more if they are on the stage.

Kelly

BD started a poll on the stage subject not too long ago.  http://www.karaoke-forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=6803&highlight=poll

Doesn't say how many voted, but it was 78% in favor of a stage.  As of 1:52AM PST 8/3/06.

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There is only one way to do karaoke... You drag an old shed floor up to one end of the bunkhouse where some power is.

stage

Put the rack out somewhere

farm karaoke

Next to the beer tent... Find somebody to run it and go party. Thats me just to the right of the kid in the blue shirt over by the horses..

Rannae

I sing because I like to. It's the best time to humiliate myself and look good at the sam time. One or the other will encourage some singers.


ADDED:I should point out that the place we went last night had "a guy" that really needs to come to this forum.

I should leave it at that. It's so hard though.

I sing to help out new singers that are falling apart, or to cover when someone cant do the song or is just missing in action. I very seldom start a song playing, and not let it finnish for what-ever reason. I usually just do it or take over where they leave off. And because I am requested to by a lot of my audiance. Of the singers that have bailed, almost all have thanked me for taking over.

The bar staff seem to prefer the stage as it keeps ( unwanted ) backup singers from getting in the way. I also prefer it for many reasons as well as that one. So far, about 90% of the singers seem to prefer the stage it here. They all say similar things like, they felt more important, that they were the entertainment, and that it was easier to get into a song, specially dificult songs because I am at thier shouder helping. I've never had anyone refuse to come up to the stage. My set up is just to the back of where the singer stands. New and nervous singers have stated that they really like this as they can look quikly to me for help, and can hear me better than if I was off to the side.

Every singer that has complained about my use of corded mics, has changed thier mind after using the corded, and hearing the improvement in the sound, and the ability to play with the cord where nervers are trying to take over. Some actually don't like to hold the mic and prefer the stand.

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"Real life doesn't start untill the music plays." LSK.

The poll should include the number of votes.

Having a stage gives you more control of your show. If someone needs
help with a song I am right there. If someone is having trouble with other
people trying to take the mic from them, I am there. If someone is out of control
with the equipment, I am right there.

The biggest benefit to me is it is a small barrier from the crowd. When you have a
large demanding crowd only one or 2 people can approach you at a time and they have to wait at the edge of the stage for me to come to them. If I was on the floor it
would be to much. People don't respect the fact you are trying to run your equipment. The bouncer keeps the drunks and unwanteds off the stage, so people can sing in peace andI'm not getting my butt grabbed while setting the equipment.  LMAO

I could never do my job by wondering around the bar and visiting while people are singing. I need to be by my equipment to make sure I'm doing everything in my power to make sure they sound the best they can. I try only to go to the bathroom once during the night because if I leave they stage I'll be stopped several times. Now I'm not saying I don't visit. But with a stage I can pick when I can do it.

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[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

Sorry Babs, that was me. I'll try to wait til you're done setting up.

Are you enjoying the black eye?


The funny thing is it isn't just guys. For some reason woman
think I'm a stripper pole sometimes.

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No disrespect meant to you Babs but I gotta see that.






You're just trying to build business, aren't you?