Karaoke Forums

The term, "Serious Singer" has been used on occassion and of late on this forum

What is a "Serious Singer"?

Are you a "Serious Singer"

How does one recognize a "Serious Singer"?

Is being a "Serious Singer" a good thing or a bad thing, generally speaking?

Do "Serious Singers" have a harder time being casual as to where they go to sing karaoke as compared to a "Non-serious Singer"?

If you consider yourself to be a "Serious Singer", what are the benefits of being a "Serious Singer" vs a "Non-serious Singer" going to karaoke shows?

I was a "serious singer" as a kid, now I couldn't be if I wanted to.


My definition of a serious singer is one who works to make it vocation, and / or spends time perfecting the talent. Additionally, I don't think a "serious singer" would sing unless they felt that on that particular day, their voice, the sound, and all other factors were up to snuff. I don't think they would be happy "just having fun", and not worrying about it..

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"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."

The serious singer is the one who when they take the mic says, "Good evening. My name is X. Could everyone please make sure that their cell phones and pagers are turned off before my song begins?"

I agree with pretty much everything Joe said but I think a distinction should be drawn between singers and karaoke singers. A singer is a musician. A karaoke singer is someone who sings karaoke. A serious singer (performer is probably a better term) will do their very best in any situation or condition. A serious karaoke singer will bring their own disk and need it down two, drowned in effects and "could you turn up the gain or volume or whatever because I really don't know what off axis signal rejection is and I always hold the microphone like this because that's how the lip-syncing rappers do it on TV and.... and I only drink ice water and I've been singing for four whole years so I'm an expert on singing, sound equipment, acoustics, and string theory."

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Okay, who took my pants?

Yeah, that usually works for me.

Oh, and I also ask them (very politely) if they could please refrain from any changing of their seats during my performance;)

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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. ♥

there's so much I disagree with here I'm not even gonna TRY to post on it! ! Whatever weeds... have another Toke!

Okay, so maybe not all of them are experts on string theory.

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Okay, who took my pants?

... and no talking during my performance ... bic lighters are optional, cell phones are preferred

Eric ask a reasonable question; don't turn this into a Lounge thread, please

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

I don't know about that. We've had professional singers at our shows singing for fun. I've had the privlege of singing with Ra Maguire of "Trooper" (one of the top Canadian bands). In fact he and his band mates sang duets with all our singers (the singers requested) and had a good time. In fact other hosts on this and other boards have mentioned famous singers who attended their shows to have fun.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

Karaoke singers are the ones that get serious. I have been in the back room with jazz musicians who were there just to jam and have fun.We would try different things and stretch our limits. I have sang with mariachi bands in Mexico for fun.

If someone requests a song I might get a little serious for a minute. If there is a table of good looking gals I can get real serious. I really dont understand the question.

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Serious singers tend to practice at home, rarely doing sucides on a whim.



I would consider myself more of a serious singer.


Often asks about manu, key changes & brings in own discs alot of time.


Nothing wrong with being a serious singer as long as they don't think their stuff don't stink, have fun & still encourage & applaud all singers good or bad. If they become really egotistical about it, then it's a problem.


Serious singers tend to want better sounding systems, & more quality sounding songs.

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Thanx Lonman

You answered every question quite succinctly and clearly.

And those answers have helpd me to clarify some of my thinking about who our customers are/might be.

I am starting to suspect that many times when people hold strong and differing opinions regarding how to run a show it may reflect differences related to serious singers?

It maybe a reflection that they are a serious singer?
and/or
As a KJ they have strong support at their shows from a fair number of serious singers?
and/or
Their audience is impressed, entertained by, expects, prefers and appreciates serious singers more?

You guys are making me think I'm transitioning to "serious singer" - I asked a KJ for the first time last night, if he had "a different version" of a song because the background vocals are too strong.

I think I was the one who starting using that term and I used it merely to differentiate between those who could actually carry a tune and enjoyed singing as a hobby vs. myself who has limited ability and just does it as a bungee jump thrill ride sort of thing.

Serious singers do tend to have their own discs and have practiced but some aren't beyond doing a kamikazi because they can probably carry it off. They can either be insecure and picky or so good that they can make a silk purse out of a sows ear so they are confident and fun. They can be professionals or just people who's hobby is to try sing a song as well as they can. The can even do harmony or sing to background singers without being thrown off.

It is good to have serious singers at your show to give relief to the audience's ears. A mix is always good and serious singers aren't necessarily non-supportive of others. Sometimes they even help, encourage, give hints, etc. Bungee jump singers can improve with the help of serious singers. If you have a mix and the serious singers are tolerant then you can raise the bar yet not intimidate the novices out of trying at all.

Serious singers usually can get people on the dance floor., slow or fast.

A serious singer appreciates good sound but sometimes even we bungee jumpers get upset if we can't hear ourselves or things sound different because the slightest thing throws us off. The serious singer can overcome. Sometimes you get a complainer serious singer but if no one else is having a problem then people see it for what it is. Most are there for fun. Usually a serious singer just loves singing and wants a chance to do what they enjoy.

Serious singer doesn't necessarily mean lack of sense of humor. They won't last long at karaoke without that. In fact people love the singing of serious singers who are friendly but they resent the singing of serious singers who act like they are above every one else.

Serious singers can put in the lilts, crys and hiccups and other singing effects. They can put 3 to 5 notes into one syllable whereas we bungee jumpers are lucky to get one.

I am not a serious singer, although I do practice because that is the only way I can remember the tune. But I have no illusions about heading to American Idol and if I blow a song or don't sing at all one night, or get skipped, I could still have fun listening, dancing or talking to friends. Most serious singers don't like to be skipped in rotation.

When I sing....if I'm not trying to be funny.....of course I want it to sound decent. Does that make me a serious singer? By who's standards? Serious is in the eyes of the beholder, and the vast majority of people who have the balls to get up in front of a crowd of people and sing, hope they sound anywhere from OK to awesome, or anywhere in between. As someone who enjoys singing in front of others, serious or not, I find some of the things you and exweed say bordering on offensive to singers who actually care how they sound. I have to admire your honesty, but I'd have to guess, the biggest reason you KJ is for the money.... just my opium...

ps.....I'm sure you define me as a serious singer, but if you actually heard me.....you think I was seriously mistaken.....

As I look over what has been posted on this thread and consider other input, generally speaking, I am starting to think that for those who have used the term "serious singer" (and Leopard has not been the only one), perhaps are confusing the term "serious" with "proficient"?


JohnnyReverb Said:

I am not sure what it is that I or Exweed have said that you think some might find offensive, Johnny?

JohnnyReverb also stated:


I don't know how much opium has effected this discussion, but I have made it quite clear that I am looking for something to do for when I retire. Which BTW, just happened! As a musician and singer, I have been entertaining since a teen. It is my love for music that allows me to enjoy what I am doing. At this point in MY life, Johnny, I would never pursue doing something I don't enjoy doing. Lastly, why do you imagine that most people considered becoming KJ's? Not the money?

LASTLY, Johnny you worded your post in such a way as to make it sound like the term "serious singer" denotes something terrible. It doesn't! Furthermore, "serious" is in the mind of the singer more so than in the "eye of the beholder"! IMHO

You know my real short answer is I use serious singer to mean the people who care about how they sound, want things run well and want to get their turns in vs. those of us who are just trying it, know we'll never be any good and have fun anyway, don't care how many turns we get, etc.

As for KJing for the money--there are nights of one bad and boring (as opposed to bad and enthusiastic or entertaining) singer after another when you couldn't pay enough to do this job sometimes. It has to be because you like it and think it brings some fun and temporary relief/happiness to people.

love your last line.

That's karaoke hosting in a nutshell! I always felt the same way... for a few brief minutes, I brought happiness and ease to a few people's existance.

We kjs should be nominated for sainthood! !

Isn't there already a Saint Matthew?