Karaoke Forums

I dropped in on a local show on Saturday night - Nice room, good seating, service seemed great.  Guy had two 15-inch Peavey speakers at the front of the room, a CAVS player for karaoke, & laptop for filler music. He had a flat screen monitor sitting on a table for the singers to look at but there was [highlight=black]no screen for the non-singers to watch while the singer sang. [/highlight]

IMO, having books for singers to look at is very important (I base this on 12 years of having my own biz and always having up-to-date books that are in good condition) for the social aspects; I also think that if the audience cannot watch the lyrics, they tend to be rather uninvolved, unless the singer puts on a really great presentation.

How many places do you go to that don't have a screen with lyrics for the audience to watch and sing along with? Seems like that is a requirement to me if you want to create a 'party' atmosphere and get the audience involved.

k

For the first year I didn't have an audience monitor. I was under the mistaken impression that we were putting on a "show' without understanding the true nature of karaoke.

It gets the room participating more if they can also see the lyrics so I'd say that it's added quite a bit since I put it up.

I think that it is quite important to stream the lyrics over a big tv for the audience to view.  The one place I host at...all I have to use is a big screen tv for all, I don't like that either...but in this set up a small tv wouldn't help for just the singer.  I brought it along the 1st few times, but it never got used.  Just redunancy.  To flip the show around, I don't think the auidence likes to guess what song is up next.  The like to be in the loop, so to speak.  MrD

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[highlight=midnightblue]MrD - KJ/DJ Specialist
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Right now we have a huge big screen behind the singers and a 3-4 foot flat screen on the opposite wall which you can read the lyrics from. As a singer I would rather have a big screen on the opposite wall and nothing on the stage but sound monitors. I have been to some shows where the graphics monitor was on the floor ans hidden from the audience. Even with unfamiliar songs I only glance at the lyrics and dont depend on them for timing. I like to make eye contact with people in the audience when they smile or thumbsup. I react to them.

A big screen is almost mandatory.

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More TVs = more participation.


This comes from being lazy, cheap or stupid.

I like to be able to watch the words while people are singing so it is very important IMO.

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[shadow=deepskyblue]I'm impressed, I've never met such a small mind inside such a big head before.[/shadow]

As a singer, I like shows where the lyrics are viewable. I like to know what the song is, how long it is going to be, who is going to sing next, everything. The more info the better.

As a host, I find it gets the audience more involved.

All in all, the more monitors and the larger the better. I *do not* like the shows where the only monitor is the big one behind the singer, and they have to turn their back on the audience to see the words.

All karaoke house here have installed TV sets on the walls and ceiling. All can see at least 2 and sometime 3 TV screen. These are the same screens that the singer use as the lyric monitor, and because they are positioned in different direction a singer may not seem to be relying on the screen for the lyric.

We've been to shows where the audience could not see the lyrics and I'd have to say that we strongly prefer shows where the lyrics can be seen by everybody!

--Tad

Having TV's for the audience to see the lyrics is of utmost importance...fully 50% of a karaoke show, at least in my opinion. Without them the audience is uninvolved and one might as well sing at home....cause in all truthfulness that is why people go out to a show to sing...to an audience...an involved audience...that is only possible if they have TVs to watch and sing along (even if silently in their own minds and hearts). JMHO

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Let's put it this way.  I don't know what to expect when I get to new place, particularly a private party.  I always have two TV's with me.  One is an old 13" Tv that sits on the stand with 4 cordless mics; the other is a 17" flat screen, permanently mounted to a stand, which I face towards the audience.

Some of the best karaoke venues I have been to do not have a screen to display lyrics to the audience.  Actually, the BEST venue I have been to only has a screen for the singer.   There the audience is always attentive to the singer, no matter who it is.  Probably has to do a lot with the host and the attitude of the singers.  

For me, a display for the audience would rate low on the list of priorities.  Far more important to have a great KJ, great sound system and a pleasant venue with good people.  

IMO it probably depends on the area and the type of people who are attending.

I think the audience being able to see the words reassures them them the words are there and readable. it can help people who wouldnt sing to get up and give it a try. I have had customers come up and look at the singers monitor to see how they get the words. Not everyone knows karaoke has the words to read.

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In several of the venues that we host at we have multiple screens around the bar to view the lyrics while others are singing. Our patrons really do appreciate it especially when they never knew the words to a song before.

In the other venues we dont have any screens for anyone but the singers to see, and we have not had any bad feedback on that, and it could be because everyone is dancing or singing along and having a good time no matter what.

I would have to agree with Murrlyn on this one. It depends on how well the crowd really takes it, and if the host is good there should not be a problem with that.

Its personal preference really, if you want to invest to make sure that singers can see the lyrics then by all means, if no one has complained and people are still coming and having a great time then adding an addition will only be a bonus!

But it does make for a great topic!
Maybe I will poll at our shows that we dont use additional screens for. Thanks.

Audience screen(s) is/are essential.

I have a portable rear projection screen that mounts to my table.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22794316@N03/2200422876/

Very cool idea, the projector. Most of our venues don't have room for something that size. Most places have wall mounted flat screens. We carry all the necessary hookups to  hook up to anything. My preference is being able to see the lyrics, and if you look at a crowd when someone is singing, most are watching the screen as well, particularly if it is a new or popular song - trying to learn lyrics, I guess. It is nice when the non-singer monitor is located near or over the singer - it appears that people are watching the singer, makes them feel special and like people are paying attention.

I know personally I lose interest soon if I can't see the big screen to watch the lyrics. Such a great way to learn new material.

k

I have been to shows where the KJ is set up directly in front of a big screen tv and never used it.  I actually sat in for one of those hosts one night and plugged the big screen in.  From that night forward the owner insisted that the regular KJ do the same. I happened to notice him staring at the big screen and lip-synching or singing a good deal of the night that I did the show.

Now, what are the benefits of having TV's for the audience to view?
 1)  It's good for putting up announcements and if you are computerized your hosting software will announce who is up and coming up in the rotation
 2)  If someone is new to a karaoke show, they see what the singer uses to follow along with.   Rather than sitting in the audience wondering how "it all works", the newbie now knows what to expect. If perceptive, they will even see that the key can be changed!
 3)  People who have never sung karaoke have a chance to build up their confidence as they view the words going by to songs they are familiar with and have the opportunity to sing along (in effect practicing)
 4)  Those in the audience get to learn, without making a conscious effort, how the swipes can be ahead or behind the melody
 5)  If you do sing-a-longs, and I promote them, having the lyrics visible to everyone surely helps that process
 6)  I like to see the words to songs I don't know.  Many times it's quite interesting to learn what the lyrics actually were
 7)  It helps me practice/decide if I would like to add a song I have just heard to my repetoire
 8) People become truly engaged in what's happening with the singers by viewing the graphics with them.  This is particularly helpful when the graphics are as messed up.  The audience, as a result of the screen, is more likely to understand why a singer may have encountered a problem and what the problem is.
 9)  Sometimes I play videos.
10)  I sometimes sing parodies that I have written.  It helps for the audience to see my lyrics

I believe that most of these elements make an important contribution to my show and are factors that will be lost entirely, regardless of how good of a host I am, without the TV screen

Lastly, I like to see the words even to songs I sing. I can't remember the words, by heart, to any song, even those I sing; it's some kind of block with me.

I like to use audience moniters as well. Here is my only problem- one of my bars will NOT let me. I have asked numerous times, and each time they tell me the TV's are not to be touched.

The stage I work on is EXTREMELY small, so I can not even use a flat screen on a stand like Eric.

Any suggestions (short of finding a new venue SW)?

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I think NOT having at least ONE screen up for the other customers to see is a shame, besides, I think having more than one monitor makes a variety of places for the singers to stand! Gives a better show in my opinion!

Karen,

Some of the places I work have screens some don't. I designed this screen for a small bar I work and it works great, so I'm not sure why you see a size issue. The real benefit is for weddings and parties, because most halls don't have TV screens. The other thing is, I don't have to run wires all over, and then take them down when I leave. I do mostly individual shows, so I'm in different places all the time. I hated having to screw around with someone elses stuff, and having problems that couldn't be fixed.