Karaoke Forums

Hi, I'm a newbie to this forum, living in Switzerland, and have actually been lurking in for a while now. I find this web-site very interesting and helpful.

I'm curious about what people here think of karaoke private rooms as they exist in japan and southeast asia and don't so much in the US and less so in Europe.

There are a few obvious issues that may deter the newcomer as lack of security (there is more risk of damage on equipment as it is private rooms) and little audience unless you have a big group together.

I have only been a couple in southeast asia whilst travelling and found them very entertaining as it was with groups of friends, good but mostly average to bad singers (I'd say I'm average !) .

Do you have any thoughts on this and could you share any experience that you've had of singing around a tv singing with friends, family, colleagues ?

cheers
Murad

Private room would be boring in my opinion. Could do the same thing in my home. I prefer a club atmosphere where you can see people in the crowd, on the dance floor, etc....

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Lonman stated


I have spend more then a year in Asia and found these rooms even more boring then what Lonman think they might be. Private rooms in Asia are for business men as an escape NOT for the karaoke, that's just a front that's being kept up.

I can have more fun at home with my friends around my karaoke system. Setting up the BBQ, having a couple of drinks and just turning it up.

You have to realise that once you set foot in Asia (I spend most my time in Taiwan, China and Thailand) you're in a different world. You come back to Switzerland (I lived there for 4 years as well) you will have to get used to different cultures.

IMHO private karaoke rooms will not work in CH or the USA.

With the right group of people, a private room would be kewl. We have a bar that is strictly Karaoke - been around forever - and they have a private room.

Usually a waitress would have to come in for drinks so they can monitor the activities a bit.

I also have a friend that has a system set up at home (heck, I guess I have a system setup here, too). We have gone over there and sang.

So I believe it's not in high demand, but it would be fun to do now and then.

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A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!"

Back in the good old days ( 1990 ) They busted a whole lot karaoke rooms in the San Fernando Valley ( Porn Capital of the WORLD ) for prostitution. It made the front page of all the papers. Gives a whole new meaning to the phrase, " am I up next "... peace,love and karaoke rooms

I have seen the "Karaoke Box" idea in Nashville.. too expensive.. and BORING.. I'd definately say is the keyword.. I like the bar or club setting or private party idea.. where there is a large group of people so singers MUST come out of thier "shells" for a song or two.

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Brian D.
(BHB)

It is popular in Asia. The folks there are different....Delightfully so.

For many, it is a chance for them to finally and loudly sing what is bursting to get out of them.

Their culture is so very different than ours. Many 20 year old girls there actually blush when they receive public attention. They prefer the privacy of small rooms. They also buy copies of their recordings, as that too is very popular there.

The population of Asian countries is not nearly diluted as that of Europe and the West. They there, for the most part, remain rather pure in racial makeup. So their traditions and customs and culture is much slower to change than ours.

They have very strict rules about how to dress and behave in public compared to us....Also, it is not likely that expensive equipment would get damaged in private karaoke rooms...they tend to respect the property of others more than you might see here.

interesting. Thanks for your comments.

It certainly is a huge culture shock when in s-e asia and private karaoke rooms are a sign of that as compared to the karaoke bars in the US and the very few ones here in Switzerland.

But what strikes me is that they do exist in cities of the US (I read up an article about them in San Mateo CA , though those got shut for deliquency ! another few in NYC, and BeachHeadBum mentioned one existed in Nashville !)

The idea behind it, I think, is that all groups of people can come and have a silly time singing their favourite tunes without facing total strangers. Age groups and generations like different music. Also, people in cities tend to have very different tastes for songs because of different backgrounds, let alone languages, so the private setting helps.

As for the expense, agreed, it's true that renting the room and getting drinks is kinda steep as compared to just walking into a bar and getting drinks.

I think it's just the exhibitionist in me. I prefer the club atmosphere. I have to admit what most people wont, I like the attention I get from singing. I like the thrill of getting up in front of people I may not know and showing off. I think the private room idea would not appeal to me. I agree that I might as well just invite my friends to my house. I've probably got better equipment anyway.

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Too soon old......too late smart.