Awkward Dork Karaoke Guide
If you’ve never sung karaoke, this can seem like a nightmare. You are standing in front of a group of random people, singing alone, and praying that the monitor with the text does not go out. But many of your fears are unfounded, and there are many things you can do to get into the spotlight.
Rent a karaoke box with friends for the first time
Karaoke is best done with friends at an establishment that offers private rooms, sometimes called ” karaoke boxes, ” especially if you’ve never done it before or have only ever cheered on friends. The rates are lower because the only people who will hear you are friends, and smaller rooms encourage group singing. Best-case scenario: you make a killer version of Wonderwall and your friends give you five. Worst-case scenario: Friends cheer you up and rush to help you when you start to look uncomfortable. The point of karaoke is to have fun, not to see who is the best singer.
If there are no karaoke boxes in your area, you still have options. Check out upcoming activities at local bars and try smaller venues that have karaoke nights on weekdays. There is a good chance it will end up being you and your team. However, whatever you do, go with friends for the first time . Co-workers may invite you for a walk, but your first real walk should be with people you feel comfortable with.
Don’t go first, but don’t go last
If you’re not a karaoke veteran, let someone else start. You will feel a little more comfortable seeing someone leave without being driven off with torches and pitchforks. Plus, you’ll have time to have a drink or two and relax. But a word to the wise: don’t get sloppy drunk before singing. Too much courage can help you have some fun upstairs, but trust me, you will be the only one to have fun.
Make sure you pick the song early, though. Going first can be scary, but going last can be even scarier. You don’t want to give yourself too much time to think. Your nerves will take over, you’ll be stuck looking through books for hours looking for the perfect song, and before you know it, the night is over. Strive for the middle.
Stick to songs you know by heart
The worst karaoke mistake you can make is to choose a song that you like, not the one you know . Many people who get nervous when singing karaoke are afraid to screw it up. So if this sounds like you, strictly choose songs with lyrics that you know at least 90%, without any help. This is especially true if it is a rap song or other dynamic melody. Yes, the lyrics will be right in front of you, but they can still take you by surprise.
When choosing a song, always ask yourself, “Do I know this song ? Or do I just know the chorus ? »If you are not sure, open the text on your smartphone and check. If you are sure you know this song, ask yourself, “Can I sing it reasonably?” You don’t need to know a bunch of music or singing terminology, just think and try to remember if you’ve ever sung before. If you did it without straining your voice, go for it. Remember, it’s not about skill or how impressive you can be, it’s about getting comfortable with the mic.
If you have a few favorite songs that you can sing unassisted, make a karaoke playlist to listen to and practice. You can work on your best songs in the shower or in the car, and you can add new songs to your playlist when you find them. At the end of the day, you will have a vast repertoire to pull out of the next time you go out. Plus, the playlist is a great guide when you’ve had a few drinks and are trying to decide what to sing next.
Start with a group song and then continue with crowd fun
Nothing makes singing less uncomfortable than singing with a buddy. Find a song with several parts and ask a couple of friends if they would like to sing with you. Or choose a song that you and your friend like and share it into the microphone. Beware of songs like Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”. It’s a group song, but it’s hard to sing and it takes a long time, so make sure everyone is on board before you go into something like that.
Now that the booze has played out and you have suppressed your fear with a group song, choose a fun crowd for your first solo that the audience will love. People will still sing along with you, and you can even invite dancers. You will feel great even if the song itself does all the hard work. If upbeat pop music is not for you, try to find something for her that is closest to her. You can sing this slow, dark ballad, but it worsens the mood and focuses attention on you and how you sound.
It is also best to avoid songs that are very long, songs with overly repetitive words, songs that are mostly composed of musical breaks, or songs that no one knows. My rule of thumb: if you’re surprised that a niche melody is even in a karaoke book, leave it for later in the evening when everyone has a chance to go.
Be a great audience member
If you applaud your friends, they will be more likely to do the same for you. Your buddy may churn this Michael Jackson song, but listen to it, clap to the beat, dance, smile and applaud when they finish.
Don’t whistle or joke, even if you mean it. They probably know they are imperfect – just like you – but karaoke is when you have to go upstairs and still do it because it makes you happy. So be happy, laugh and stay positive. When it’s your turn to sing, your friends will show you the same kindness. And when in doubt, laugh and have fun.