Karaoke Forums

1) Is it wrong/arrogant/bad etiquette for professional singers to sing karaoke?

2) Is karaoke really just intended for amateurs and drunk people?

I was a pro singer, trained voice and all, and when I sang a song the first time, people applauded. Then the second time, people took on an attitude like, "We know YOU know how to sing and perform. Now stop showing off and insulting us." The applause grew more sparse with each song I sang.

My friend is a professional, too, and she sings karaoke for fun. She gets the SAME vibe from crowds!

We were ALWAYS respectful to other singers and applauded cheerfully, too!

Karaoke is meant to be fun for all singers; the good, the bad, and the in-between. It is unfortunate that you and your friend have had that experience. Find a venue where you like the KJ and the show. Sometimes it takes awhile to develop a sense of camraderie with the regulars at a given show. I tend to avoid the gossipy, egotistical, and competitive clicks. I am sure you will find a show that fosters a supportive atmosphere where your talents will be appreciated and not viewed as a threat.

Cheers

I personally have no problem at all with great singers at my show. I agree w/ Stevieb regarding the regulars. Someone who is there every week and knows everyone in the bar is always going to get a bigger applause than the best singer in the world.

It could also be attributed to the host's reaction to your songs. If the host goes "ga-ga" over your songs and barely reacts to the other singers, that may cause some misguided resentment towards you. I really feel that it's my job as a host to make everyone feel like they did a great job. As a singer, I get uncomfortable if the host goes out of his/her way to say how good I was, because I know how it makes the other singers feel.

Bottom line is if you're having fun and you find a regular show that you enjoy, you're personality will be what the regulars end up judging you on. If they still don't like you, we can't help.

Hi jeanne-wahine
Do yourself and your friend a favor and find a different place to go! You don't deserve or need snotty comments from other people. Karaoke is for fun, and everyone, the good, the bad and the ugly.

I don't think it just pertains to KAROKE ..Bars & Clubs can be very clickish
"strangers" perceived as HUSLTERS or PROS will always get that feeling ....You need to frequent an establishment a few times until people get to KNOW you and appreciat your abilities. I think its just human nature to be weary of strangers ..so to speak Plus I think peopl in general lik to root for the underdog ..some of the biggest applauses at my shows were for people who couldnt hold a tune but tried anyway ...... I think its all in the presentation There are many great karaoke singers out there that don't make the OTHER singers feel inferior ..continue to be humble and you will be appreciated

Exactly what is an "attitude" or a "vibe?" Did someone actually SAY anything to you about showing off, or did they just not applaud as much later as they did at first?

Karaoke is about the fun of singing. I don't think a karaoke singer should ever expect applause. A person who comes to one of my shows expecting to be applauded after every song is going to leave very disappointed. It just doesn't happen, for anyone.

There is also an element, already described, that some bars are quite cliqish and it may take time to be more accepted and appreciated.

However, if people are coming up to you and actually saying that they think you're showing off, then that's being unfair to you and you should find another show.

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Paid2Party
"I love karaoke. Where else can you get paid to come out and party with your friends?"

Find another place, sounds like the audience there are kind of jerks. Karaoke is for anyone. I have several band members/singers that come to my shows to sing. If they have a cd, I also promote their own music as well via fill music & plug their website.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

I heard somewhere that Mary J. Blige likes to go out and sing karaoke. I'm sure she's not the only successful singer to do so.

Cheers

Some night when the magic is there and u truly know when u connect with the crowd applause does not matter thereafter I can get energy back from the crowd in many ways lot of talk after song no applause dance floor full of dancers one person saying that was awesome,

I hate those nights when I give all my energy and get nothing back but the secret is this... if you touch one heart or give wings to one soul with a song then that song is set free no longer belongs to anybody and then you will realize that money applause fame has nothing to do with music...

I really don't notice to many cliques at the venues I frequent. I know I enjoy listening to people that sing really well but some times people want to have fun, party with the people at their table, get loose, etc.
When I go to a bar or club I try and take note of the crowd and pick songs I think they might enjoy. This one place I go to there's this one lady who's very hot looking and has the best voice hands down! However, when she's done singing there's only a light smattering of applause. It really bothers me that people don't cheer and go all crazy about her, so I asked people why and the universal answer was, "this is a bar, we didn't come here to listen to opera". I agree that we should have fun but I always clap for everybody no matter how bad they are. Proffesional singers are appreciated! Sorry for rambling.

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It's Just FUN!

and now for the flip side of the coin.

not to be rude, but I think the problem may also be you and your friends jeanne-wahine. This is NOT saying you guys were a problem... but too many times I've seen good singers come in with an attitude that they should be paid to sing there... and the rest of the singers were just wannabes.

Now, I PERSONALLY don't like those kind of singers. I'm not saying you are, jeanne, but I can say that you have to give SOME venues the time to get used to you. Many karaoke venues ARE very clichish...

Recently, when I went on vacation, I sang at a friend's show. The applause I got was rather sparse, and my fiance was a little put off by it. I just shrugged and knew that they didn't know me, and may not have appreciated the songs I was singing.

By the end of the night, I sang a song that I knew they would like, and the reaction was a good one.

anyway, my two cents, and the devil's advocate side of it all...

Matt

I wouldn't worry about it. At our shows everyone sings and is treated equally by us regardless of their talent. As for applause some places are applause places, some are not. As long as you're having fun and the KJ treats you fairly, that's all that matters.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

Is it possible that they didn't develop an attitude, but rather, got more intoxicated as the evening went on. Most places People tend to clap more for people they know just for respect for that person. Remember, you are there for you, and your enjoyment of the "sport". Don't worry about anyone but yourself. You already know you are good.

I'll admit, I had to get drunk the first time to get up and sing karaoke, but after all the comments I got that night, I have really gotten into it big. But I get into it because I enjoy doing it, and I don't worry what anyone else thinks. I find it relaxing.

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I'm Not Dead yet...... But every day Im getting Closer !

I couldn't agree more. I have had a dream of performing professionally since I was 12. I'll confess to spending countless hours in my living/bed room, stereo full blast, pretending to perform.

Now, I don't want to turn this into the Oprah hour, but I will say that I spent a long time ignoring my dream while listening to a few people who basically said, "You're not that good." So for a long time, my dream remained a dream.

After moving to a new city, I tried karaoke for the first time. I got an immediate positive response, including the KJ personally coming to me and asking me to attend his other shows. His comment: " I could really use some good singers." I enjoyed the praise but also took it for what it was worth.

Over time, I learned that there were some people out there who thought I was good. I'll never win American Idol, but I do get strangers who come to me and say how much they enjoyed a particular song. I've come to accept that I am a good roke'er and no longer care if the audience applauds. As long as I had a good time doing what I love to do, I go home happy.


Like I always say, "I like karaoke because they have to let you sing, no matter how bad you are!!!"

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Paid2Party
"I love karaoke. Where else can you get paid to come out and party with your friends?"

It DOES happen at my show, cause I will say something if it does not.... I don't care who you are, and how bad or good you sung, you put forth an effort that most would not be brave enough to do.....
My saying... "we always clap, some times we clap cause it was good, other times we clap cause we are glad it is over, either way we clap"

wanna get some applause, threaten to strip if the audiance does not start clapping..... will work everytime

OK, to the topic as long as you are not putting off the "I'm better singer than anybody in this room, and i can do any song better" then you should not be treated wrong... If you come off with that attitude you may find the welcome not to warm.... If I hear somebody make the "I can sing that better.... " you will be up next and you will be throughly embarassed; I don't put up with it




This is true... there are some places I have went to sing that the audiance would just as much rather hear the jukebox than anything

I just love the ones who come in and say "Oh i just hate karaoke" I just wanna go "WHY DID YOU COME IN THEN!!!!!"

I agree, although I don't always say something if a singer doesn't get applause. I do, however, make a point of saying something like, "Give it up for Jane!!!" I try to sound upbeat, even if in the back of my mind I'm thinking, "Please don't ever sing again."



I have to laugh here, because that's exactly what I tell people who ask me why I clap for every singer. And sometimes, the audience thinks a song is over when it isn't. When that happens to me, and then the people who clapped realize their error and feel foolish, I say, "Don't worry, I wish it was over, too." Always gets a laugh.




Nah, in my crowds they'd probably dare me to do it....and I'm not quite that secure just yet!



I couldnt' agree more.



Me, too. The ones I really like are the ones that say how much they hate karaoke and then start turning in slips and dancing to the roke after they've had a couple.

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Paid2Party
"I love karaoke. Where else can you get paid to come out and party with your friends?"

Same here, it has to be a very lame audience not to have applause - even if it's a sporratic clapping. They are pretty trained at my show, but I do have to ask to "give it up for _____ "on occasion.



I would like to know this as well, or the ones that come in, this is soooo boring, i'm not a singer, could you play some dance songs???
Oh, sure, i'll just tell the 38 singers that have been waiting all night because THEY DO enjoy this that you are bored & want to dance to something other than karaoke!?!?!! - uuuuum, I think not -
Heeeere's your sign!

Sorry! Off topic rambling!

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

I can assure you that there was not at all an air of me being better than them. I was there because I needed a place to keep my performance fresh as I was between bands and for the sheer pleasure of performing.

As many folks here have stated, I have always believed that it is good manners to clap for performers REGARDLESS of their ability.



There was not as much applause the second time, and people were not paying attention during the song. At the end of the song, people still appeared indifferent. But if a super drunk out-of-tune person sang something, they got rounds of applause.

I guess it's because I was new.

Everyone claps when I stop singing..

I had a kick butt singer at my show last night who opened with a killer number and got the love from the audience. His next two songs were very good but not as good as the first. Getting him less and less response. That fact is even the best singers ( yours truly included ) bust it SO big time on the opener that everything else kinda pales. There are also MANY karaoke contest singers that are basically one trick ponys. Maybe two or three tricks but you get the picture. Am I making any sense? Do I need sleep?? Good night everyone. peace love karaoke.