Karaoke Forums

This is sort of my tongue-in-cheek name for the experience of singing karaoke, being sure that you did a good job, and then having nobody clap for you at all except for the chirping crickets and the tumbleweed that rolls by you as you exit the stage.  Now, this isn't too embarrassing if nobody is clapping at all for anybody, but it is horrible if every singer gets some applause but you.  What is the explanation for that?  Has anybody ever had that happen to them?  Does it bother you?

Tends to happen more with new singers going into an established place with regulars.

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This would make a good episode on Twilight Zone........sure you're not invisible? Maybe you sound so much like the original, they think you're lip syncing......or your so good, they think you're a ringer........great singers can be down right intimidating to us average crooners. If we clap, you might come back......I'm being a bit silly, but there is some truth in there somewhere.......

True story I finally talked a gal into singing There was a redneck fight goin on When she started singing a brick came flying through the door The whole bar emptied as everybody rushed out the door!! We laughed about this for a year..

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...I'd say try another song-maybe they hate the SONG...if it happens again- I'd try another venue. The KJ should step in even if it IS a local place and get "some" kind of response. But 9 times out of 10 I've seen that happen it was because the person chose the wrong song for the crowd. I've seen wonderful opera singers bomb like that becvause they tried to sing "opera" in a country bar. I've also see killer R&B singer bomb in a rock/biker bar. Ive eve seen one of the best broadway belters alive bome out in a college karaoke bar that likes alternative a pop music. So- my advise is to decide if you wanna please a crowd or yourself. If you want to sing something for you- who cares what the crowd thinks??But if you want to "get a reaction" from the audience...look at what they are responding to. If you end up in a locals only place that just treats you mean..say WOW..I can tell I'm not welcome and leave. But again...your Kj should step in and prevent the crickets chirping syndrome. That bad on their part. Even if the crowd isn't responding- the host need to be encouraging and not let dead air make it that much more obvious that the crowd is silent.

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I agree, it's the host's job to ensure that SOMEONE gets SOME kind of applause! Shout out a "Aw, c'mon guys, give the guy some LOVE! SHEESH!!!" That usually shames them into a quiet applause. Then I keep it up "Here's someone that'll really knock your socks off!"

There have been times I've asked a regular to sing a particular song they do well on their upcoming turn, as I'm wanting to kick the night up a notch. Most are really happy to do so!

orrrrr maybe you just aint that good? ... I mean I am sure thats not the case but maybe what you think you are hearing isnt what others hear

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"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

If that happens its the KJ's fault. Period. HE/She blew it. KJ's JOB is to create excitement and enthusiam for EACH AND EVERY SINGER both when they come up on stage and when they finish the song.  Does not matter what song, or how good or bad the person was. KJ has to exhort the applause from the crowd--as most of the time they are not paying attention anyway. So KJ has to do the old GIVE IT UP---HOW BOUT THAT!!! routine. Should NEVER EVER be a instance of the silence after singeing.

Now a new thing Ive come across recently at a couple places that Ive really found annoying and that is the KJ inserting APPLAUSE NOISE TRACS with an effects generator. That just really annoyed me and was VERY VERY IRRITATING to listen to after EACH SINGER. Agasin KJ beign lazy and blowing it instead of actually getting the crowd involved in the show. Thats another gimmick I will NEVER EVER EMPLOY--an applause effects generator.

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"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT

Now c'mon, I don't buy that, i've had nights where I couldn't get ANYONE to applaude - even for their own table.  If the audience isn't in the mood or that state of mind, there is nothing a kj is going to say that is going to help.  I've done the 'oh c'mon give it up for' so & so & if they aren't into the night, it isn't going to happen.  I ALWAYS try to encourage applause after each sing - no matter HOW bad they may be, it just sometimes don't happen even if they are really good.  If you have to BEG for applause, it's almost worse than not having anything at all, as a kj you just have to go with the flow & commend the person that just sang - maybe on a personal level while explaining the weird crowd situation.
It's not like it used to be where everyone used to applaude for everyone ethier because they were good or because they were done!  

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Just a, consistent for each singer, "give it up for", "way to go, name"....etc.....any prelude that makes it sound like you're begging, or disappointed in the crowd would embarrass me. If they're clapping for everyone else....it certainly isn't the KJ.....people are fickle......just my opinion......

Ive found that more often than not the crowd is too busy yacking with thier tablemates and not paying close attention to the singer--particularly if they are not one of their own table mates. MANY MANY TIMES it started out with the silent no appaluse treatment but as soon as i started in hey give it up, how bout that then at least some polite clapping started. So yes IT IS the KJ responsibilty to keep the silent treatment from happening. So to my mind if it DOES occur either the KJ was not paying attention, or isnt trying. VERY VERY SELDOM IF EVER have I EVER had a crowd that just wouldnt clap at all for ANYBODY.  Nobody leaves my stage in silence with no applause.

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"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT

Again, I always try to encourage applause after each song & there are occasional nights where the crowd just don't respond no matter what I say, but it isn't to just one person, it's to everyone.  I have had nights with new singers I thought did really well & the crowd didn't do a thing or a smatter of applause for the noobie & thundering applause for the regs - this happens moew often than not.
Give it up, put your hands together, let's hear it for, great job that was, let's make some noise for, etc. - one of these lines are the first words out of my mouth after each song.  Most nights it's all it takes, but on rare occasion, nothing works & I am not going to keep bugging the audience if they aren't responding because that is almost worse than no applause at all IMO.

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I normally never make a claim that I can't substantiate (perhaps when I figure out how to do it, I will post an audio clip of me singing), but for the sake of argument, trust me when I tell you, I am an excellent singer and it is not for lack of talent or ability that I do not get applause sometimes. Please understand that I never brag about the my ability, but I need to put the situation into context  I feel it is a combination of three things one or all three of which occur at any given time. I agree that song selection is important considering your venue.  I've often wondered if what Johnny Reverb says is true about being so good that the people either don't believe you're really singing or they think that you are purposely trying to show them up.  I don't know.  The third possible factor is that the KJ just picked a bad location and nobody in the bar really cares about karaoke at all.

here here!  another excellent job by kurt!  you nailed it so much that i have nothing to add....i know, shocking, isn't it?

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All work and no play make Homer something something

How many say thanks when receiving a good round of applause? When hosting I usually  do when getting back on thhe announce mic.

As a singer do sometimes and if a friend is next I wait on the stage and hand them the mic or adjust the stand.

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Lonnie tells truth--ive been to his show before and he ALWAYS works VERY hard at boosting up the crowd and Ive yet to see any silence at his place.  So he speaks truth---to Lonnie you listen!



Now the next issue has anyone encountered the applause generators in use at any shows??

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"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT

At least there are still signs of life after you sing.   Ever see cockroaches scurry out from under kitchen appliances wearing earmuffs ?  

You live in South Carolina.  Ever see flocks of birds migrating due south overhead faster than usual during mid-summer months ?  It happens if I leave the windows to my condo open when I sing,  Migratory patterns here in Connecticut change instantly.  As a matter of fact remember two and three years ago Hurricanes started taking a southerly approach over Florida Peninsula and up the Gulf coast in order to avoid the Atlantic coastal states ?  FEMA has since confiscated my Microphone  :(

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

I did a fair amount of stand up comedy so i'll add my view.

Don't expect any response from the crowd in advance. In addition sing for your own enjoyment so that the crowd response is moot.

Are you trying to convert folks to your singing style?

Just sing, If they don't respond then take a liquour shot and sing again. If not continue, Either you'll sound better or not give a crap, bjc

yes Kurt... cheesy as he!l!!!

I NEVER expect anyone to APPLAUSE after my singing; and when they do, THAT is a bonus.

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I can neither confirm nor deny ever having or knowing anything about nothing.... mrscott