Karaoke Forums

Yesterday I was singing a song that I knew kind of well, but not perfectly. I realized I was relying on my "karaoke bag of tricks" to make it through the song unscathed. For example, sometimes I wasn't sure which way the melody was going to go, so I let the track play a fraction of a second before I came in with the words, thus letting the song lead me a bit. This works pretty well, and I suspect there are others who do it to.

On another song I sang, Call Me Al, by Paul Simon, I knew I wasn't going to do to well on it, but it actually went by ok, however my mind was racing frantically throughout the song, trying to make sure I matched the words and phrasing up with the song. I think this was the fifth or sixth time I've sung it, and it can still use a lot of improvement, but for that to happen, I'm going to have to listen to the original version of the song once again. I think I've mined my existing capability on it based on past listening as much as I can without hearing it again fresh!

The more you sing, the easier it gets, and you learn tricks and tools to help you through the songs you don't know as well.

So do you have any special tricks or techniques that you use to get through songs you don't now too well or maybe are a little rusty on?

I too do that on occasion. The last time was a couple of weeks back on Unchained Melody.

Yep, Black Velvet & Sprite!

Actually no tricks really, I just go with the flow, if I know it, I sing it, if not, I make an a$$ of myself & laugh it off!

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

There is always the just move your lips, give a funny look at the mic and then turn around and glare at the host trick.

Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead. I just plow through. Usually it's "someone pick a number off the disc" and I'll do it. I have no scruples or shame, and it's a very thin line between bravery and stupidity. Now of course if there are a lot of pretty ladies, I will do my "A" stuff.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

Yup, the one I run into most....

If you're not sure of the song, and the host has it on DK, request it. That's what that melody line they contain is all about. As far as I know, DK is the mfr. that made discs just for the unsure singer.....

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

" Disc based and loving it..."

In that situation I usually listen to the music and just put together a melody that makes sense. Most of the time it's probably not the right melody but at least it's in key and makes sense with the song.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

Bingo! I got drafted at the last minute at a funeral to sing the deceased's favorite hymn - which I was only vaguely familiar with. Scared up a hymn book, cued the accompanist, and away I went. Talk about yer high pressure gig . . .

The preacher complimented me later on my "unique and moving" interpretation. I somehow managed to say thank you with a straight face.

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Dave's not here.

When you sing a song you don't know and it starts to soung like crap..Just turn and look at the KJ like they did something wrong. Shake your head when leaving and keep lookingh back at the KJ.

Way to go Moonrider! I don't think my bag of tricks is that deep.

That's too funny. (i wonder if i've ever done that?) Like when you trip over nothing walking down a sidewalk and you keep looking back at the ground scowling as you walk off like there was a rock that tripped you up or something...

If trying new songs out, you can always just use the *wear your tight jeans and a low cut blouse cause then it wont matter anyway* scheme. But, that probably wouldn't work for guys;)

(and... i'm so kidding anyhow)

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♥ Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain. Cherish the memories, ignore the pain. Love and learn, forget and forgive. Because you only have one life to live. ♥

"When you sing a song you don't know and it starts to soung like crap..Just turn and look at the KJ like they did something wrong. Shake your head when leaving and keep looking back at the KJ."(Jam said)


Charm said:
"That's too funny. (i wonder if i've ever done that?) Like when you trip over nothing walking down a sidewalk and you keep looking back at the ground scowling as you walk off like there was a rock that tripped you up or something... Rolling Eyes

If trying new songs out, you can always just use the *wear your tight jeans and a low cut blouse cause then it wont matter anyway* scheme. But, that probably wouldn't work for guys;)"


She tried BOTH of those on ME a couple years ago at the mexican restaurant I was doing a KJ gig at and she came to.

But it was all about her NOT BEING ABLE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO TURN THE SWITCH ON MY BIG OLD SCHOOL SILVER MIC!!!!(the one in my avatar pic). Once she figured out how to turn on the switch she was JUUUUUUUUUUUST fine.

HAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!

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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

Kurt Johnson, you're such a fibber.

#1: I sang two songs only, ones that I was well familiar with, and your sound system was fine, so I had no complaints about that. (i didn't even gripe about the "filler music", we made use of it)

#2: I didn't wear tight jeans and a lowcut top:) If you recall (and you've reminded me on several occasions of it, so I know you do)... It was halloween night, and I was dressed as Pocahontas. No jeans. No lowcut top. Just deerskin:)

If I was giving you funny looks as I walked off... well, that's just cause you scared me with your overzealousness.

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♥ Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain. Cherish the memories, ignore the pain. Love and learn, forget and forgive. Because you only have one life to live. ♥

I'm CAUGHT!!!

I must CONFESS I was MESMERIZED by the POCHANTAS costume! CUTE AS A BUG'S EAR!!

AND BY HEARING HER SING "ALL JACKED UP" for the first time.

I've still not got over it!!

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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

I don't know if this is a trick or just a desperate way to try to save face .

If the song is moving along and I have no clue how it goes I'll make up some words incorporating the regulars names into the song until I get back on track. It usually will get a laugh and you can act like - yeah I meant to do that.

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