Karaoke Forums

I’m brand new to this forum and professional karaoke in general. I’ve been doing a weekly gig at our clubhouse for almost two months. I started my disc collection with Chartbusters E 450 V 1 supplemented with their 2005 pop and I just purchased the SGB 66 disc set with tool box. I also have quite a few Legends, Supercore and Pocket Songs. Many of the singers bring their own CDGs and for the most part I’ve been able to fill the requests. I’m keeping a list of requests and intend on continuing to build my library.

I have a few questions concerning protocol. I try to rotate the singers in the order they put in their requests, but if I see more than two slow tempo songs in a row, I’ll insert a fast tempo number in between just to keep things moving (even if I have to sing it). I also try to keep the genres mixed. When someone new comes along I’ll put them near the front. I try not to have any dead spots, so if I call a singer up and they don’t respond (going to the bathroom, getting a drink) I’ll cue up the next singer and move them to the on deck circle. If they still don’t make it I’ll send them to the end of the line. Sound OK? What do you do with people that just can’t sing? I have one girl who must be completely tone deaf. Every time she sings you can see people running for the doors. I have another lady who loves the long slow country ballads. Every time she sings, you can see the crowds energy go in the toilet. Any suggestions or tips would be appreciated.

Paul Towne

i'm not a k j but as far as the lady that's tone deaf goes, let her sing just like anyone else, it's her night also....people don't like it tuff, it's their show not urs, without them and i do mean the tone deaf person also u wouldn't be there.....get rid of her then next u will be wanting to get rid of the next person that sings bad, then the next....
its not a who can sing the best gets to sing,  it's karaoke, all no matter who should sing...good r bad....JMO

Please stop talking about morgan that way
 LMAO  LMAO  LMAO

i have no idea why you felt the need to post that in this thread....anyone who has heard her sing knows without a doubt she's far from tone deaf so if that's a dig it only makes you look like an arse....

to get back on topic...

i'm not a kj either but i think having the ability to make each and every one that sings feel like they're a star for a while would go a long way in keeping your patrons happy

i also don't think it's fair to put someone who just came in at the beginning of the rotation....they can wait just like everyone else...

This is your lucky day !   I happen to run a small business, and for a nominal fee, you can book me to sing at your show.  This will guarantee you that "the slow ballad", and tone deaf singer alike run like hell for the doors, as will all living things within close proximity to your PA system.   Never underestimate just how constructive those of us that can't sing can be for a business..  My schedule is booked for two weeks.. 3 bars want to close early 2 days this week,  One bar has a problem getting people to leave after stating "last call", "bottoms up",  and "You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here", so for a few additional bucks in my pocket, the crowd has been trained to leave in a NY minute...  just by the bartender yelling "Kappy's going to sing My Way", all I have to do is be present, after the first time singing, I never again had to actually get up to the microphone, It was just me, and an empty bar and easy money !

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

that's what I love about mix music between the singers... even enough just to fill the dead air between when the last singer's song ends and the next one's begins.

if someone's singing slow country, insert some classic rock or 80's dance tunes... or viceversa!

But whatever you do, DON'T MESS AROUND WITH THE ROTATION!!!

I always treated the songs turned in like a line in the bank. Maybe get a clipboard or notepad and have the singers sign up one after the next... nobody signs up until they finish their last song!

Sorry about that post.
I have only just found out about it.
Can admin pleease remove this account.
Everyone, please ignore any more posts from jerry12x.
My X has an evil side to her.
I am finished with forums.
Took a death to put things in perspective.

uptownekaraoke,

Please give me the location of your venue.  If you truly run your show as you stated in your post, I want to make sure I never attend.  A kJ only gets to put some else in front of me once and that's it.

                                            Jackson

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Singing just for you

I agree, don't mess with the rotation.  If you're going to interject someone where they shouldn't be make sure that person is you, providing of course that you don't sing regularly.  If you mess with the rotation someone will take it personally, someone  always takes it personally.  The lady who can't sing just hasn't had enough to drink, or the crowd just hasn't had enough to drink. Or maybe you just haven't had enough to drink.  It's just karaoke.  Nobody came to listen.  It's like a crowd watching somebody jump a line of cars on a motorcycle.  Nobody comes to see him do it, they come in case he fails.  Bad singers, I love 'em.

I live in an exclusive gated community. Sorry, but you’re not invited. Plus I already have my share of tone deaf singers!

After one post I can see there is a lot of animosity in this forum. Too bad, all I was looking for was a little advice.

Yes Kareoker.
Look whats happening to Newbies

Then you'll need to learn to *walk softly and carry a big stick*:) Not meant sarcastically, but ... opinions here are spoken rather loudly. (any wonder why regulars are leaving by the dozens and newbies run for cover shortly after joining?) You got a pretty pi$$poor welcome, IMO, but.....



THAT would pretty much tick off any singer at any venue. It's better, if you feel too many slow songs are coming up in a row, go ask a couple of the singers who are in line for slow songs, if they'd mind swapping the order of their next songs, to add variety that way. (as in, sing their fast song next, save that slow one for a bit later) Never ever in a million years would I skip over someone, or juggle the rotation, based simply on the type or genre of the song.  Though, I think, if you yourself are not "in" the rotation, but you slip a song in where it's needed now and again, that's not such a big deal.



You applaud them & encourage them, and try to get the crowd to do the same.... EVERYbody deserves the same respect at karaoke, not just the "great" singers. We have one regular guy at karaoke who is absolutely horrid, couldn't sing his way out of a wet paper sack.... but his enthusiasm and mannerism make up for it, I actually like to see him there, he's a lot of fun. (even if he IS a terrible singer) It's all part of the game of karaoke.

Blah, blah, blah..... I'm done now.  :D

.

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♥ Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain. Cherish the memories, ignore the pain. Love and learn, forget and forgive. Because you only have one life to live. ♥

Quote "EVERYbody deserves the same respect at karaoke, not just the "great" singers"

There is intelect out there afterall.
Sarah

Your style may go over in your exclusive gated community, but in the real world of karaoke you would probably be out of business after your first show.  Very few singers will tolerate a KJ playing with the rotation.  As I stated in my first post - a KJ only puts someone in front of me in rotation once and that's it.  You asked a direct question and you received a direct answer.  As for animosity, if you perceived my answer as such then so be it.  There are a lot of knowledgable KJs and singers in this forum and they will bend over backwards to help anyone asking, but don't expect them to always sugar coat it for your benefit.  So far, the only real animosity posted in this thread was posted by you.  As for my being a tone deaf singer - well, that might just be the case.

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Singing just for you

I agree.

Newbie took what was a lightly sarcastic comment and made it into animosity.

For someone new to a forum, you sure stomped around pretty hard!

Uptownkaraoke admitted that he was new to the business.  Nobody has to agree with how he runs his show, but I sure don't understand why he couldn't have received straight ahead opinions without the added heavy handed sarcasm tossed in for seasoning. Geez, this is a tough room!  

As to the original question I tend to run effects too much but when a singer is struggling I gently teach them mic and singing tecniques. Teach them how to position on the stage where they are hearing the mains and not the monitor. Then apply EQ on the mic channel to eliminate (shreiking for example) Apply certain FX to aid them When a novice singer learns how to relax and sing from the heart and then they improve. Proper Fx on the singer and fill music keeps energy level up...

This is the difference between a medocre system and a KJ that thinks he is a sound eng. Also this takes a snake which allows FOHor adjusting the sound with the mains..

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In his defense, it just seems like he was looking for advice on how to IMPROVE his current show. So I can see where he wouldn't react well to someone saying something to the effect of "Please give me the location of the venue...... so I can make sure I never attend.", when he just looking for tips to make his new show better. Seemed kinda harsh, no matter how it was meant, IMHO.

Anyways, like everyone else said, keep the rotation fair and show the singers that you appreciate them being there, no matter how good or bad they are. You're always gonna have "slow song" streaks in a rotation, but keep in mind there's a HUGE difference between being a D.J., where you can pick and choose the appropriate songs at any time, and being a K.J.... where being fair to customers is more important for long term success- no matter what songs they choose to sing, or their talent level.

Welcome Uptown!

My advice is that you should not mess with your rotation when it comes to fast or slow songs. Karaoke is about the singers entertaining themselves and then others. If you make your show about entertaining the listeners and their interests your show will eventually fail. IMHO

If what your listeners want is upbeat danceable music then perhaps a DJ would be more appropriate for the venue, but karaoke is about the singers getting their few minutes to be the star. Now if you want to place a few upbeat audio songs in throughout the evening that would probably be ok as long as your singer mix is not the serious type.

As far as the off key or tone deaf singers....well....welcome to the world of karaoke they have as much right as the next person to sing and entertain themselves. Yes sometimes it sends the folks running for the doors but many times it also encourages others that would normally opt not to sing, to put up a song themselves as certainly they could not do any worse than the tone deaf guy Every show has them at one time or another and it looks like yours is no exception.

With the off key folks keep the highs and lows on your EQ in check and give them extra effects, bump up the music volume vs the mic volume to make it more bearable for you and your guests.

I've been doing this now for almost 10yrs and trust me you will get use to it

Hope this helps

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FlipSide Karaoke
Scott

I am a Karaoke host.  Answering your protocol questions:

     1)  Rotation is sacred. Period.  Each one of my singers know who they follow, and like it. No need to call "on deck" either.  New singers go to the end of the rotation.  If you come in at the beginning of a rotation, you've got some waiting to do. If you come in near the end, you'll be up more quickly.  Want more air time? Come in earlier.  NO INSERTS.  No " I have to leave soon, can you push me up?", and of course they stay afterward.  I'll dedicate a "Happy Birthday" to you, but it won't move you up any.  You're my mom? Nice to see you, I love you, take a seat and wait your turn......


     2)  Bad singer?   It's Karaoke, not world hunger. ANYONE who wants to sing, does.  One of my regulars is as tone teaf as they come, yet that bar has made her ( with me setting an example) as welcome as can be. Encouraging her, and always applauding her heart, if not her skill.


   Although probably too late, I wish you welcome to this forum.

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