Karaoke Forums

Hello everyone
i am writing this question on behalf of my son, he is a mobile dj but has just branched in karaoke, however he is a bit worried what to do. he is a good dj but he cant sing, he was wondering if you guys could give him any tips at all.

should he play his ordinary music until someone comes up to request a karaoke track or should he invite them up when they ready,

the equipment he is using is CDG if this helps

any advise would be greatly appreicated

thanks for your time [/b]

I have seen KJ's that don't sing. They are very very few and far between however and generally it doesn't work out too well. He might want to consider bringing along an "assistant" for his Karaoke shows that can sing. I would rank the ability to sing (doesn't have to be great just not bad) as one of the primary qualifications for a KJ. It's definitely a helpful tool when running a show. It's great to be able to throw in a song when there are no singers or if you've got a block of slow songs toss in a popular faster tune to break them up, stuff like that.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

I would agree with Rip that it can be a handicap to not be able to sing for his reasons given. Being musical also helps with knowing how to mix, in my opinion, but I am not the mixer of our dou. But there is such a thing as not being able to sing but still having the ear to know when things sound correct or not.

The reason I am posting is I was told by a KJ that works the casinos that having an "employee" sing requires a different type of entertainment license than for karaoke. So when she works casinos she doesn't sing. So it can be done but he might have to play some music while he works the crowd to collect slips before he starts the show.

The other thing is--I didn't think I could sing either--but if he picks the right songs and practices, practices, practices, he might surprise himself. There were also some songs mentioned on this forum to get people up who don't think they can sing--"Tequila" was one and some rap, possibly. But he might be able to start with some songs like that in a funny way and still get the ball rolling while making his lack of ability a joke and part of the entertainment. It might even give others the courage to try also.

I can sing quite a few songs, and on my off nights I often go to where my partner is KJing and sing there; but I never sing when I am hosting. I do not like to take time away from the customers. If I don't have any regulars (rare these days, but when I first started, often) I play music and go talk to groups of customers that look approachable, ask them if they want me to help them look for a song, buy them a beer, or play a song for them.

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Jeff Wheeler, moonlight DJ/KJ

I'll bet there is at least ONE song in his collection he can do. Many songs don't even have to be "sung" in the literal sense...more "performed". Like "Dirty Deeds" by ACDC, "Love Stinks" by J. Geils Band or "Spill The Wine" by Eric Burdon & War. There are many more.

George Thorogood?

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Jeff Wheeler, moonlight DJ/KJ

I would get an assistant that can sing for those who want help with their songs as well. Sometimes I get duet songs with one name on them. I always let them know it's a duet. One or two will say okay let me choose another song while another would say I'll do both parts. But for the most part I get asked if I know the song well enough to sing it with them.

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

A good idea is for him to play karaoke tracks with backing vocals until he has singers, but pick good popular timeless songs. DJ tracks send the wrong message to a developing Karaoke Show, in my opinion, especially at the start of the show.

Learning to sing isn't as physically difficult as it is emotionally. Being self-conscious is hard to get over, THAT'S WHEN you ask other singers or staff for HELP and to sing along with you. Choose easy songs and artists like the Beatles or Elvis. Many of their songs don't require much talent. And picking a great popular song, even if you suck at it, usually gets positive feedback.

If and when he decides to sing alone, the first few times it's a good idea NOT to look out at the crowd. just follow the words and say "thank you" at he end of each song.

I agree with Jeff. The main reason most KJ's sing is because the ones interested in doing Karaoke start off as singers. If you have been a dj for awhile adopt the same principles you use in getting people into your standard events. Be personable and if need be (Most situations people will know what Karaoke is about) explain how Karaoke works signing up, books, words appear on screen.... The other thing you could do if you are doing bars is go to other events or people you know that sing and invite them to your show to start things off. I sing but rarely sing while I'm hosting for the same reasons Jeff mentioned. When I used to just go to Karaoke shows I never cared whether the KJ sang most of the time I felt they sang to much. Dont forget just like in any other event you may have done its about getting as many people involved so they will stick around and spend money. Utilize all your tools as a Dj and now as a KJ. Most important have fun thats what they feed off of!

I disagree strongly with that.

I start every show with ordinary music. I also play music between singers. As soon as the singer is done I fade out their karaoke track, fade in music, thank the person for singing, call up the next person, and make whatever announcement I want to do at the time (tip the bartender / promote weekend band / drink special / remind about the nearby no parking area / etc.)

When I walk in the door and it's already busy, I just play from whatever music I prepared earlier in the day unless the crowd & mood is really far off from what I normally expect, in which case, like any good DJ, I play something appropriate.

If it's slow, I may let the jukebox play for a while longer (sometimes I start playing music as early as 9:30 but karaoke does not start until 10:00) if customers have put money in it. When I start playing music, I then play what I call, "songs that make you want to sing," and I announce it as such! If I see some customers who I know like to sing Mellencamp, I will play a Mellencamp song. I try to pick songs that are older yet very familiar to singers, without doing the same ones they will eventually sign up for. That usually gets them in the mood to sing quickly.

I receive a lot of compliments on my music selection before and after the show, and between singers. The breaks, well, I am supposed to play within a certain format and I do unless I feel like it will chase people away.

Anyone can sit there and change discs and ride the faders for drunks who want to sing. To be a successful KJ you need to think of yourself as an entertainer, not just a guy operating the equipment.

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Jeff Wheeler, moonlight DJ/KJ

Anyone can sit there and change discs and ride the faders for drunks who want to sing. To be a successful KJ you need to think of yourself as an entertainer, not just a guy operating the equipment.[/quote]



I disagree. My shows are very successful, and I very, very rarely sing. Being an "entertainer" is not a prerequisite for being a good KJ. My job is to do the best I can at allowing the customers to entertain themselves. That usually means NOT singing. If others are waiting to sing, even if it's just a few, I don't sing. Sound mixing is a skill that is far more important to a KJ than singing ability, in my opinion.

Granted, a good personality is important, but being "Mr. Entertainer" is not.

Sorry, that first paragraph was meant to be a quote. Don't know what happened.

uh hem. George Thorogood? To do it correctly, ain't that easy. I have that rough voice so it is easy for me to sound like GT. Of course karaoke doesn't mean you have to sound like the original.

I'd throw this song out. Do You Want To Know a Secret by the Beatles (George singing one of his earlier songs). Anyone should be able to do it. There are others.

Just set up the system at home, start a song, try it out. He can do it.

I did a show two weeks ago, had slips from the get go, never sang a lick. Last week, new bar, I sang about 10 songs. Depends on the situation.

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KingBing Entertainment C'mon Up! I have a song for you!!! [font=MS Sans Serif][/font]

I strongly believe a karaoke host should be able sing something - good or not. A bad host that sings may/may not be a good thing. It may work because others may try to sing because they think they are better than the host, it could be bad because people often ask the host to do duets with them or to help back them up if they get stuck. I will not hire a host that cannot sing at least a basic reportoire of songs. However I do not want my hosts singing all night either - unless requested or helping.

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

I come from the belief that when it's time to start a karaoke show, then karaoke should be played to advertise such, unless, as in another thread, it is advertised as karaoke and dj.

Most of the karaoke venues i've visited over 15 years are smaller, have a built-in crowd of karaoke singers, and want to "get-at-it" with karaoke. Even on slower start nights, or slower times, a new customer entering venue knows it's karaoke and can decide whether to stay or not.

When dj music is playing you may get requests for dj/dance songs and then have to explain that it's a KARAOKE SHOW.

NOW that doesn't mean that i haven't been guilty of rockin dj music in my larger venues!

It was just advice for the OP in a presumably smaller venue to get off on the right foot and NOT pizz off the diehard karaoke singers. If he's advertising dance music also, then so be it.

I actually start my show with two DJ tracks, however they're the same ones every single week so folks know that it's the start of the show. The first tune is Wild West Show by Big 'n' Rich. I use this one as my last sound check for tuning the EQ and such. It's got a great intro with flutes, chimes and a big bass drum comes in after that so it pretty much hits the full frequency range which is great for fine tuning the PA. The second tune is the song that I use as the intro for the show, it's a got a good bridge that leads into an instrumental part where I introduce myself to the crowd and announce the show. Then I sing the first song of the night (varies each week) to make sure everything is good to go from a singer perspective.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

I will usually start my show with an upbeat karaoke instrumental track while announcing the venue, karaoke, drink specials, bartenders name, and where the books are, and types of music genres.

A minute or so later i'll switch to a karaoke track and do a sound check while walking around the room singing to make sure the music is right and the mics aren't too hot.

Then it's on to the other singers. Hey, whatever works for you....