Karaoke Forums

We've all talked about various aspects of our bar gigs, but I wonder how many here do private parties on a regular basis?

I've mentioned here I've been a mobile DJ for many years. But interestingly most of the phone inquiries I've gotten lately have been via my karaoke website! Seems DJs have become a dime a dozen, but "mobile" karaoke hosts are in short supply.

How about you? Do you get many calls for private parties or corporate events, especially this time of year? Do they want primarily karaoke, DJ or both? And if you've done gigs like this, what did you do there and how did it turn out?

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I like doing private parties/picnics, many outdoors.

Some are focused on the karaoke, some on the music, but I always bring both.

As for how they turn out, I think the odds are better than in a bar; the crowd isn't your responsibility, and it's usually gonna be good.

A few little tips off the top of my head for outdoor gigs...

Purchase a 12x12 easy setup tent, the nicer ones with the skirts that cover the legs, as they’re wider and you can position them to block the sun from your eyes as it’s going down.

a couple of those sturdy fold-up tables,

bring a few little blocks of wood to level out the speaker stands that might end up on an uneven surface,

A fan for if it's hot, but also to blow on the equipment if it gets dark to keep the little flying bugs away

a lamp for it's gonna get dark, and sometimes they go longer than planned, and sometimes not much light even to tear down

Bring a jacket cause it might get chilly later,

A looong good-quality extension cord

A nice vinyl carpet runner is sometimes good for covering cables where people will be walking

I’ll add as I think of stuff.

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Canvass to cover in case it rains.
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USB keyboard light for the laptop..

Small table for your beer, away from laptop.

Other than subbing for my friend at a local bar once in a while, I only do private parties. It all varies depends on the the individuals but typically my gigs fall in to two categories. One is a wedding, where typically over 200 people attend. This means I bring my full gear including all the lighting and the big rack. I have everything in a box or a container so it's just a lot of work moving but the pay is worth it. I have had one request for DJ/KJ wedding, most are just straight DJ work. It's more gear for the combination but I don't usually charge extra.

The other is private home karaoke party. I have not gotten request for a DJ gig at a private home yet. The number of people can be as small as 7 (teenager birthday party) to 40 (full karaoke party planned by a PTA). Here I bring my small gear. It used to consist of a all-in-one unit (80 watt RSQ unit) and one or two lighting with the usual equipment, like song books, CD+Gs, mic, cables, etc.

How I am streamlining everything. I got a hold of a Fender Passport 150, which has most of what I need, my MacBook Pro (still waiting for Windows VISTA so I can try out MTU Hoster but my DJ software works great), external multi channel firewire sound card, speaker stand, mic, cable and song book. This lightens my load a bunch and sounds much better (with more power) for a small gig.

For outdoors, I bring my full gear I use for wedding. I need those EON 15s to keep the sound level high enough for outdoors. I have used full lighting for an outdoor DJ/KJ gig. It looks great at night but during the day, no need. Make sure you know your local noise law since more than once we had cops come by at late night outdoor gig and once we got shut down at midnight.

Overall, I love the energy people bring to private gigs. Personally, I think bar gigs bring "professional Karaoke singers" who are there to sing because they love to sing period. Private gigs bring people who may not even have known if there was karaoke there and they try it for the first time and fall in love with it. It's like your first time doing anything you love, it's great to see that. Wedding, well that's just for pure fun because they are there to celebrate.

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Seize the day and SING!!!

In regard to holiday parties: I do about 15 per season, as I do a LOT of bar work, not leaving much event time.

They are mostly corporate parties, as companies see them as a bonding opportunity. These are mostly straight karaoke with just a little bit of DJ thrown in for entry and meal music.

Because I have a lot of bar venues with regular and DEVOTED singers, I have done several Karaoke/DJ weddings as well.

A hint for corporate holiday parties: Many Karaoke Hosts make the mistake of undercharging. There is absolutely no reason not to charge premium prices ( as a straight DJ would) for premium work during this very busy season.

In some cases undercharging will actually lose you the job, because it gives the impression that even during this season you are hard up for work- which might bring the quality of what you do into question.

Keep in mind that if a corporation can afford a holiday party for all of it's employees at a nice venue, your fee is really a drop in the bucket...

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A couple of cinder blocks and bungie cords to lash them to the tent poles in case of wind. All my shows are outside at car shows.

I usually do a handful of private parties during the holiday time. I work four regular bar gigs during the week, but I am off every Saturday to do private parties. Most of them are both karaoke and DJ, with the karaoke usually starting later on. I enjoy parties the most because they are a lot more laid back!

We are pretty much in the same boat. However, I have been lucky enough to become well known among the local shift workers- Nurses, Doctors, Cops, etc... So I get some private events for Mondays and other times ( mornings, and say, Midnight to 7am) that really pay off...

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

" Disc based and loving it..."

I ADORE the private parties. Love meeting a room of people who are all there to celebrate. Particularly like birthdays over weddings - they are a little more "loose"...