Karaoke Forums

I play individual songs,cueing them in as the singer gets applauded off stage....unless its REALLY busy,when I will put on a megamix (usually over an hour long) so I don't have to keep starting it...just fade it in and out. Dead air is a NO - NO

I like to do things in a way that is quality, but simple. I load up a variety of music on my MP3 player and hit random. fade in it just long enough to get the singer ready, press play then fade out as the track starts. KISS (keep it simple stupid). the variety of filler ensures that its something for everyone and there arent many simpler ways to run music. usually i use the "tape in" channel. no eq on the channel, but thats ok it doesnt have to be perfect just to fill in.
The Mp3 can be a lifesaver if your laptop crashes or has to be rebooted for any reason. Ive had to do it and nobody noticed.

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the voices arent real, but they have some good ideas

Quite a few use mp3 players and its a good source of continous music--just fade in and out as requried throught the night. Im old school tho and like to pick and choose each song played (still using cd's) in order to play to the crowd and mix and match to the vibe of the evening.

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"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT

Thanks for all the different opinions, alot of food for thought. Since I have a hosting program, I think I'll try the filler tunes option simply to fill the space between singers coming up to the mic. Still not sure what type of filler I'm going to use, because of the pros and cons of using popular music, versus instrumental. In answer to Dangerous Dan, I've only done house parties, and senior housing, so far. I am just starting as a kj, and hope to have my first "Real Show" at the end of February. Mardi Gras in Wisconsin. I already have a following of about 10 "regulars", so I don't think that will be a problem. I live in a building where there is also a bar and restaurant, so I'll probably start there.
I just got the last piece of equipment on Christmas Eve, the Mackie Profx 12 mixer, so I'm ready for "any" venue. I will list my equipment on the technical thread that specifically asks that question.
Also, I'd like to add, that we'll be the "first" non-smoking karaoke business in Wisconsin, (that I know of), which I will state in advance of taking any job. WISH ME LUCK!

Serenity

What has not been explained to you is that a good KJ will play filler music and also that the very same kj will not play filler music. Why's that? Because a good KJ will decide from venue to venue or evening to evening what will work best. And that is the criteria - WHAT WORKS BEST.

For example, let's say you're doing a four hour show and there are but 5 singers in the house when you start the show and, maybe, a dozen other patrons. Furthermore, are the singers limited to one song or will they be singing two songs while there are so few singers?

Let's say that none of the other dozen patrons are seemingly interested in the karaoke. Let's say the other patrons are all females between the ages of 21-25 and arrived together. Or, let's say that the other patrons are comprised of a dozen males in their fifties.

Now, if you asked me what I would do under the preceding circumstances, I still would say I don't have enough info. Without being there, I couldn't have an accurate sense of the crowd.

The only thing I suspect is that I would allow each singer to start with two songs at a time so that there would be less repetition in announcing the same people over and over and having them going up and down, over and over, as well.

The bar I frequent most for karaoke has a hit or miss crowd. Some nights it's there are only 4-5 singers, some nights there are 15+. On the slower nights, it usually makes sense to not have the same 4-5 singers back to back, but rather take a break after the rotation and play a few filler songs while the KJ makes the rounds trying to get more singers in the room to sign up. That break obviously does not happen when there are a bar full of singers.

The type of filler music used definitely is tailored to the crowd. Not going to play Britney Spears "Womanizer" to a room full of 50-somethings, and not going to play classic country to a room full of 20-somethings.

As for the implementation of the filler music, the KJs I know use two separate laptop computers: one laptop runs the karaoke software (CompuHost), the other laptop runs iTunes. Each laptop has their own input to the mixer so music can easily be faded between the two. A side benefit is that if the one machine locks up or has to be rebooted, one can switch to the filler music or quickly to a karaoke song so things don't grind to a halt.

When you don't let the singers sing, think about whether you become a self-fulfilling prophecy. In my experience, if the singers know they are going to sing a lot when they arrive early, eventually more start arriving early.

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Filler only for the time it takes the singer to respond to being called up, take a sip of their drink, saunter up to the stage then fade out to start of song. Maybe 30-45 seconds all told.

Also impromptu dance sets where they get dancing then play 1 or 2 more to complete the dance set, get them sweaty and thirsty so the buy more drinks. Sort of a 7th inning stretch.

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"You know that I sing the Blues and I do not suffer fools. When I'm on that silver mic, it's gonna cut ya, just like a knife"-The SWINGCAT

Yeah I see what you're staying, however when the filler songs do get played in entirety, the only "singers" in the room are usually bar regulars who are there whether there's karaoke or not. If there are new singers there specifically for karaoke, the singing is usually non-stop.

That's exactly right, mcky57!
Once my singers in a new venue figure out they get to sing more if they come early, they consistently show up earlier.


My opinion is that if there are singers in the room (regular or newbie), as long as they have songs in, the singing should be non-stop.
They have the courtesy to be there, and I should have the courtesy to allow them sing, even if they haven't come "specifically" for karaoke.
The fact that they are there (for whatever reason) is enough.
As a singer, I go out to sing, not to listen to "filler", so the more the merrier!

There are always 2 sides to these questions...SINGERS of course hate filler music and think if they are the only one there they should sing non stop....It is KARAOKE night isn't it?

Ericlater --said it best

The KJ has to read the room everynight ....everynight is differant.
Maybe the same 5 singers singing all night long is GREAT ..but if the KJ reads the room and thinks it is in the best interest of the VENUE to play some filler music --then maybe they should ?

Singers need to understand BAR karaoke is changing, people want to sing of course but on any given night there will be non singers in the room whose interests need to be recognized ..A LITTLE ....just a little

If the Karaoke show consistantly has only 5 singers there is probaly more wrong than just filler music. All depends on the type of show

And if you only get 5 singers to show up, to me it isn't much of a show. I am not a DJ, so if that happened, I would suggest to the owner that we advertise or that I pack up shop.

But in our area, at least, if you build it they will come. Any good, consistent, karaoke night will develop a following. Karaoke-DJ shows around here just die a slow, painful death on any night but Friday or Saturday.

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Just a few nights ago I saw a show dwindle down to about 3 singers, so the KJ began using 2 complete songs of filler between them to pad things out. Guess what? The remaining singers left.

It is logical to cater to the bar and try to keep things from becoming repetitive. But there is a point of diminishing returns where it just isn't a karaoke show anymore.

I have always used filler music - and it is just that, just to fill the air between the singers. Personally I find that dead air seems to appear to extend the time that it takes the next singer to start for some reason, even though it may not. It is also very inhibiting for people who are actively socializing, speaking louder and louder with the addition of alcohol, and all of a sudden the entire room hears what they are talking about because the music has stopped.

I have a lappy loaded with hundreds of hours of songs, divided into play lists - which can be clicked on one time at the beginning of the night, set to shuffle, and run on a slider.

How much you use your filler music, and what type of music you use, has to be tailored specifically to your room, as Ericlater noted above. My playlists have been created with this in mind, but of course as quickly as I determine that I may have chosen the incorrect type of filler music, I can switch it.

Again, it is advantageous if you are familiar with your singers and their musical preference. I find filler music often affords people another way to learn a new song, or it may remind them of a song they may like to try.

I try to match the filler music to the room; I also use it judiciously to change the mood in the room - like the 2 a.m. slow song that reminds all the dancers that it's time to go home... (every band knows of these songs).

With MP3 players and laptops that provide music at your fingertips, it is simple to play music that will create a feeling of continuity in your show. Occasionally I get caught in the midst of the lappy going from song to song but generally speaking it is a simple thing to hit the slider when the singer is nearing the end of their song, ease up the volume, and await the next singer. ( You have to be careful not to run into the intro of a song, particularly with singers who HAVE to hear the entire intro of a song to get their note, etc. )

This is really a personal preference issue but I find I prefer to sing at a show where the host knows how to use filler music.

k

Karen, thanks for your response, I don't think it could have been explained better, or plainer than you just explained it. Not only did you give your opinion on "filler" music, but you also explained when, and when not to play it, AND you also explained how to store, and retrieve the music. GREAT JOB, (no disrespect to any of the other posts), but I think Karen explained the COMPLETE job of "filler" music, and HOW, and WHEN to use it. Again,thanks to ALL for their input, and discussion, it was very informative, and enjoyable to get all involved.

Rosario SERENITY NOW

Karen and Ericlater did a great job explaining filler music.

I'm not trying to knock using filler music, but there is a downfall no one has mentioned. You start playing a popular song and some people in the room decide you should let the whole song play because they like it while you have 40 people waiting to sing. Aaarg !

In my circumstances filler music is a no-no. When I did use it it was more of a nuisnce than anything. I have very little down time between songs, sometimes zero. When I had 3 seconds to play music between singers and I had to cut it off for the next singer coming up some would boo because they wanted to hear the whole song. If I'd let it play out the 30 to 40 singers waiting to sing would hang me. And the poor person who is to sing is standing on stage feeling like no one wants them to sing because some people are booing or complaining the want the song to play out. It just isn't worth the agravation.

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[shadow=pink][glow=deepskyblue]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[updown]~*~ MONKEY BUSINESS KARAOKE~*~ [/shadow][/updown][/glow]

that's why you play it subdued, Babs... you might get those to say "Oh turn it up", but again, it's in educating your following... most will know what's going on!

I get that on occasion, but I just smile, laugh it off & start the next singer. No more is said about it. Get your audience to learn that the in between music is just going to be a snippet & not an entire song until the next singer is cued up & there won't be any problems, they'll learn to figure out that the song won't be played in full.

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

Precisely - they're just like little children or puppies - they'll train if you're consistent!

someone would have booo'd me, I'd just be as mature and stick out my tongue and go BLBLBLBLBLBLBLBLBLPPPP!!!!!