Karaoke Forums

Hi

I'm a new KJ, I have the gear, paid a bloody fortune so I have the songs, and host a good night - can see that a mile off.

I just need to get more comfortable with a mic, more engaging with the crowd, etc.

First off, I don't like my speaking voice - I am very well brought up and sound a touch "posh".

Secondly, I hate doing that cheezy DJ voice - I think I come off as false, or a comedy version of it.

Can anyone offer any help?  I know I'm better after a few drinks, but am professional enough to not do that.

I guess I need to relax?  Let it show that I do enjoy this.

Cheers

Here's my advice - Don't do a DJ voice.  They sound contrived and idiotic.  Get to know your audience (takes some time).  Talk to the people, make conversation, make fun of yourself.  Thank singers, make up nicknames (I'll say stuff like Jenny Schmenny, or do the Jeanie Beanie Bo Beanie Meanie Fo Feanie).  A lot of what I say is just jibberish, but it's noise and it fills in between singers.  Give them good advice, like "Hey the cops are out in force, I know most of you are going to drive anyway, but be smart about it - I want to see you back here next week!".  Make stupid jokes, rib your singers.  Establish a rapport with the waitstaff and make fun of them, give them props - show your crowd you're a team.  Keep your eyes and ears open and play off the crowd.  If you see a couple making out, tell them to get a room or let you have some of her too.  If someone comes up and gets profane on the mic, tell the crowd it's a family show (even if it's not).  I use a lot of bathroom humor, that seems to make people laugh (a lot of pee you pants jokes, poop on a stick). I always let people know what song was just song and by who.  Sometimes I play with that - Like instead of Carrie Underwood, it's Carrie Underpants, or Hootie and the Blow mes.  Sometimes I just say random crap like chimichanga, or schnizlefritz.  The important thing is to have fun, it will transfer to your crowd, and one of the biggest reasons we do what we do is to help people have fun.  Besides, people are drunk, what do they care if what you're saying makes sense.  

AVOID the DJ VOICE!  Very contrived and phony sounding, unless you can do something like Wolfman Jack....

People love to hear their names over the mic - you see someone come in and you recognize them, greet them..."Hey, Jim, welcome back! Waiting for a song from you!"  

Several times during the night, give kudos to the staff... don't know if it's appropriate where you are to suggest that people 'take care of their servers' (tips) but we do that and the servers appreciate it.  

Mention special events coming up.

I always give the name of the original artist on a song - there are certain songs people ALWAYS ask about.  Takes a second. I don't do the "Give it up for ..."  But I will always compliment a singer - maybe not the best singer, but it's easy to say something like "what a great song! thanks for that!"  "Hey, I do believe that's the best I've heard that song done yet!"  

Always find out if there are birthdays - I usually get a friend of the celebrant (or more than one) come up and sing Beatles "Birthday" or the tradiational birthday song. If there's an anniversary, always make a fuss about them, too.

I don't think there's a need for there constantly to be chatter, but I have found the more personal I make the show, the more faithful the followers become. That personal touch creates a loyalty and a healthy following.  And once things are flowing, there is nothing worse than dead air - do you have bumper music?  Sometimes people would rather  hear the 'latest and greatest' song and if I see that people are really listening, or singing along, I'll let it play to the end (depending on rotation).

Stay away from 'personal' chitchat - I went to a show and the host actually shared that he had had gastric bypass surgery!....and then he showed us his scar!....then went on to explain that he had gotten a divorce last year!....from a Filipino Lesbian!.... Let's just insult everyone we can in one fell swoop, shall we?  Inappropirate content is worse than nothing at all.

Best of luck, btw.  I have a feeling you're too far away for us to ever drop in on!

K

I had a problem with my excitement level on the mic.  I'm still not fantastic at it but it works.

I don't do the phoney sounding what a great song, or the best i ever heard that done, thing.   Sorry...

It's hard not to sound excited if you are smiling when you make your announcement.

The DJ voice thing works for every radio and TV personality and announcer in the world.    They specifically get hired for the way their voice sounds on the microphone.   They aren't looking for someone that sounds like a mouse, unless it's playing the voice of a mouse.

give yourself some time it will come. you will figure out what your crowd likes and doesn't. becoming relaxed on the mic will help you gain confidence. when you become confident you will sound better to yourself and your patrons.

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the voices arent real, but they have some good ideas

on the dj voice.  I guess I do it & don't even realize it.  Have been asked on SEVERAL occasions if I had ever worked at a strip club before since I sound just like the dj's there.  It's nothing I try to do or emulate, just what comes out apparently - never even been to a strip club  LMAO .

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

I know the Djs at a local strip club, I could get in on the gig if i wanted it. there are perks to the job but I think im paid better as a KJ. I wouldnt mind "FILLING IN" once in a while . imo Lon, You need to check one out. they are a great source of entertainment. I myself have not been to one in several years, but in my experence it is tough not to have a good time with naked chicks around.

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the voices arent real, but they have some good ideas

Thanks for all the feedback.  You are all 100% right about confidence.  As a night progresses I quite obviously get way more fun with the crowd - heck almost flirty at a point - but in a dumb fun way.  It's just that I was brought up very "proper", speak when spoken to, be polite, etc - taking time to shake that!

I guess I just need time doing my little gigs and so on.  I want to build up a following - which in honesty should be easy, as a lot of my friends love my karaoke and will follow me to places.

Thanks guys.

No problem. I think most of us have gone through it, with the exception of those who got into karaoke from being in bands (I know a couple) they were all comfortable from the start. after about 100 shows in just a bit over a year, ive loosened up.

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the voices arent real, but they have some good ideas

Ah, bit of a hitch.  I now have no voice

I broke my jaw 2 weeks ago, had to cancel or hand-over gigs.  Will be in wire for 2 more weeks, and so can't use ANY voice for a while.

D'oh!

I disagree with the DJ Voice....  MOST PROFESSIONAL ANNNOUCERS have a "VOICE" they use while working ..the key is to FIND your voice and not come off like some cartoon character or worse.  I would believe that MOST KJ's don't use there "regular talking voice" while making annoucements ...that would be BORING
So in fact they all probably use a voice with a little more tone and excitement in it ...hence the DJ VOICE.  

Like everything else practice and familiarlarity will bring better results

Yeah, to be honest - was pretty much using my normal voice just with a load more enthusiasm.

Just wondering how my voice will have changed once my jaw is unwired.  If the damned surgeons gave me a lisp, I will be pithed off!

I agree, There is a place for the DJ voice. You speak with entusiasim and set the mood for the establishment. If you sound excited it reflects to the crowd and keeps everything up beat. Talking with no entusiasim is just as good as dead air, you will simply become background noise. Excitement is good from the kj / dj In my opinion it's your job. Your hired to give the club a fun atmosphere and keep people there and spend money. Just talking to a crowd like your talking to a guy on a bus sitting next to you is not the most effective way to relay fun & excitement to your crowd. Once again though it seems to fall back into the club your working. In a moose lodge with ten or twelve people the name calling mic work might work but if you play in a club with 100+ people you had better be ready to project fun, entertainment, and excitement or they will leave quick. I currently play in a club like this and only a handfull are there for karaoke. The others are there to play pool, Pick up girls / guys, dance, Ect. If your not entertaining all of them they will not stick around very long. Find a voice that sounds excited without sounding corney but stay away from the slow, un-enthoused  voice.

[font=Verdana]Sorry to hear about your broken jaw, hope it heals well and you are able to get back to KJ'ing soon.  I have sang with bands, sang in church, love to sing karaoke, but have to admit to more than a few butterflies when it comes to KJ'ing. Last Friday night my son had me up behind the table running the equipment, but he was doing the mic thing. seems to come easy to him.  My tongue gets all twisted, and my brain goes out to lunch.  I'm kind of afraid of what may come out of my mouth.  My solution, (Please don't laugh ) is role playing in my living room.  I have my equipment all set up, with mock request slips, and I keep going through them just like I was doing a show.  I have been doing this for a couple of days and find I am getting more comfortable with the mic, but still not where I want to be.    LOL  LMAO I knew you'd all laugh at me.[/font]

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Dusty Rose
Blue Rose Classic Karaoke
More Sound! More Selections! More Fun!
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Sounds like a very good idea! Repetition is the key. Once you get comfortable using the mic and learning a few things to say on the mic, it's all down hill from there. I would also visit other karaoke shows and watch the kj and see what he's doing or saying. Visit several shows and take home with you what you like and leave what you won't use. You should be able to learn a few things that way. Good Luck!

Wow, thanks for the replies here peeps!  It's refreshing to talk on a karaoke forum that's not up it's own backside.

I'm just a little annoyed, as I was getting into it, and now have been wired shut for 4 weeks.  Then again, once I can talk aghain you won't shut me up!