Karaoke Forums

Well my goal is to stand out among the other KJ's in my area, we have not started our business yet however I was hoping to get some tips from others.

I know there are things that some KJ's do that others don't, some good and some bad.

There is such a thing as karaoke etiquette, and I want to know things that make you or others stand out in a good way(besides your equipment and song selection).

My husband is a great guy, funny, smart and will be a fantastic DJ, I am the shier one that loves to sing (obviously when we get gigs I will not necessarily sing at every show, it depends on the venue and the number of singers plus I would not sing every rotation)

I will not accept "bribes" to bump a singer up in a rotation which I have seen at several shows I've attended (just a personal choice)
I will not give another person a microphone during another singers song unless the singer says it's alright (I've had this happen to me as a singer and I really don't like that)

I have also seen several KJ's who are new to the business, they had a slip asking questions like: "What type of music would you like to see in the future? What do you think we could improve on? Were you happy with the song selection? What did we do well?" Do you think that is a good idea?

There are several things that I would point out.

The first one is that you got the bribe thing correct right off the bat. I don't accept tips for the same reason someone will see them as a bribe.

Run completely fair rotations don't stick new singers in the rotation out of sequence, if you have someone new that you want to sing then put them into the rotation in your place as the host, just because you are in the rotation doesn't mean you have to sing everytime your name comes up use that spot for someone who has been there all night and towards the end of the night finally gets the courage to sign up for a song. I run fairly large shows so I use a list method rather than a "rotation" as many KJs use, after a singer sings they sign up at the bottom of the list any one that signs up after them sings after them.

Be open and friendly with everyone (regardless of how much you would like to kick the crap out of them on general principle) listen to what they have to say regardless of what they say, and take from that the suggestions that will improve your show. You won't need suggestion cards!

Another important part is provide what the crowd wants, if you have a 90% hardcore Karaoke crowd then do karaoke, drop the dance sets, drop the filler music and let the singers entertain. If you have a 50/50 crowd mix in a dance set from time to time (when I do this I try to coordinate it with a couple of singers who are doing a song that the crowds usually like to dance to). If you have a slow rotation or a crowd that is slow to come to the mic then by all means throw a little filler music in.

The most important part is regardless of what equipment you are using learn how to iuse it correctly for speed, sound and efficency.

Don't skimp on being liberal with singer volume on the mics (short of feedback)!

I am with you 99% I often get cash when someone brings up a slip, they get put in the proper place, no special treatment. Now if the owner or bartender has time to sing I put them in right away.

When dealing with rotation, I keep as many new singers up to 1.5 hours on the first rotation going, then I break the rotation and start from the top, new singers are placed 5 down and then every other first rotation singer has a new singer in between. After the first rotation, I like new singers to not have to wait long to get into the mix.

I completely agree with your suggestions, however I am not sure how I feel about the new singer rule you have, but we are still trying to decide what is best for us. We are trying to make our show fantastic as it is not just the equipment and music, it is about making sure people enjoy our show and want to have us come back.

We plan on learning to use our equipment and testing it out BEFORE doing any paid gigs. Also, if it is your first gig in a new venue do you think it is appropriate for the KJ or his assistant to sing the first song of the evening to check the sound before others sing so they aren't messing with a karaoke singers song?

I am still getting used to the etiquette as a KJ versus just being a singer. I've been to multiple venues and there are things I like and dislike from each show I have attended. I want to incorporate some of the things while eliminating others (although we will be original we aren't trying to steal someone elses show so to speak)

Thank you for the tips, I certainly appreciate it.

Work hard and stay true to the business is the first thing I would like to include.

Here are some tips (take them for what they are worth).

1. Learn your equipment and how to set it up for each location you are in, no 2 rooms are the same.

2. Respect your singers regardless of their level of (or lack of) singing skills because without singers you are out of business.

3. Deliver what you promise and more if possible, never overstate what you can do or it will bite you in the end.

4. Buy the Essentials from Chart Busters and the Foundations from Sound Choice and PHM and you will have the lion's share of what will be requested. This is to start and remember that just because 1 person ask for a song dosn't require you to go out and buy it or else you will go broke trying to buy every song for every request.

5. Make your books (if you choose to use them) orderly and update them on a regular bases. Nothing is worse than a new singer showing up and not being able to find the song he/her are looking for even though you do have it in your library. Don't just assume they will just walk up and ask you for a song espically if they are new to the bar.

6. Meet and greet your singers and thank them for coming in to sing. Don't assume the bar owner or the staff does that. If you do it this will help you develop loyal regulars. Customer service is an inportant part of your business and the bar customers are in reality your customers too.

7. Get to know the regular non-singers too! For them is is a spectator sport. Including them can make a difference is the survival of your show.

8. Learn what your competition in your area is doing. If they have been in the market for a while, sometimes they become complacent and lose the drive to run a quality show. Be differant. If they run a quality show, you might pick up a tip or two that you can add to yours. DO NOT copy their show.

9. It is about the singers, not you.

10. Have fun!!!!!!!!!!

These are just some of the thing that I consider that work for me. Just my 2c.

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No venue to big or too small. From your den to the local club or event, we have the music most requested. Great sounding system!

Regarding your question about the host/partner singing the first song: we have always done that because it is the best way to check and make sure everything is working, nothing needs to be fiddled with, etc. After a while you gain a sense of when it is appropriate to jump in and sing as the host - there are times when, especially if you sing new and popular songs, that the crowd will really get into it. Ironically, at my Fri show this week I sang Florence and the Machine's "Dog Days are Over" - I had no idea that the people there even KNEW about this song but everyone that was left there jumped up and danced....crazy! A lot of it has to do with gaining insight and experience. If you make bad judgments about something there is always someone at a show who will advise you of your ineptitude -if not to your face, to the person next to them and eventually you'll hear about it. Not to worry - not everything everyone says has any merit...most have never hosted a show, have only been singers. I started out as a singer but after 2 years of singing I got into the biz and it's been a long time that I've run my own shows.

Rotation is the main thing, as suggested above - My first rotations are usually fairly long, giving the stragglers who get there 40 minutes after show starts, but still within the first rotation, a chance to get into the first rotation. Once I finish the first rotation, I drop new singers in every second singer. But here is the thing: If you take a LONG time between singers, no matter how many new singers you slip into that first rotation, people will appear miffed that they've had to wait. Work on getting the time between your singers down to less than a minute. If you are doing a computer-driven show that will be simple; if you are disc driven, have a double tray player AT LEAST. CAVS take notoriously long to load. Think of it this way: A quick show will bring 15 singers to the stage in an hour (or close to it, depending on the length of the song). That means 15 singers will sing 4 times in a four-hour show. If you drag out the time between singers, people get impatient. I do it myself if I am at a show where the host takes too much time between singers. If you run a CAVS player, a stand-alone single-tray machine for singer's discs, and a computer, you're bound by the limits of the machinery.

A fair and fast rotation is your friend...keeps those singers jumping up and down out of the chairs, not realizing how much time that they're NOT singing, but more how much time they ARE singing.

I accept bribes of $50 or more. And then I tell everyone that so and so paid $50 to sing this song, and I'm buying as many drinks as I can with it for anyone who has sang that night. Then, nobody has a problem with it.

Bumping new singers up in the rotation works well early in the night, but near the end of the night it tends to upset those who've been there counting down to their next chance to sing.

My advice would be to develop a thick skin. There will always be someone who thinks you are doing it wrong and will be eager to tell you why. Anytime you do a karaoke show, you will find yourself in a room full of large and sometimes fragile egos. If they're performance didn't go as well as they anticipated, you may be the target of their blame. Don't let them get under your skin, the majority of the people there are just looking to have fun. So weigh any constructive suggestions and ignore the gripes.
Individual singers often have an agenda that doesn't favor the entire crowd.

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KNOW THYSELF

I roger a lot of what has been said.

When it looks like it is going to be a busy night, I cap the first rotation at say 16 singers. At that point, I stop taking new singers in the first rotation and let it go around. I won't let someone who arrives at 10pm sing at 10:15 if the first singer has been waiting since 8:30. I do have some sympathy for FIFO, so that you will never hear a new singer sing if they haven't heard *you* sing. But I like to keep the rotation as coherent as possible, so I don't do it as to when the request is in.

Also, if someone has arrived early with their husband (or wife), and has been there all along, I will insert them in the rotation as if they sang an empty song the first time through.

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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.

These are only my rules....

1. Keep the rotation fair.
2. You don't work for the singers you work for the bar.
3. Be yourself, honest and open.
4. Remember you are dealing with drunks.
5. If they're not drunk you're not doing your job. Bars mark their profits in drinks sold.
6. It's a party. Be part of the party.

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Okay, who took my pants?

Great tips everyone, keep them coming. I am here to learn and I am interested in the KJ perspective since I am looking to start my business this summer.

I do plan on using an external hard drive and computer (discs will be with me as well, I will have a 1:1 ratio)
My husband and I have thick skin so there is no problem there, although we will take suggestions from singers and the crowd as well (for things we can improve)

I sincerely appreciate all of the tips and rules you are willing to share with me. I want to make sure I run a smooth and fun business and not be a "Krappyoke" DJ

Please please. Anyone at all who offers you a bribe.
Send them to me.
I have never ever been offered a bribe.
Cheapskate English.
It would be nice to be offered.

Jerry, buddy, friend-I'll slip you $10 US if you make me laugh again. (you have now been offered)

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Music speaks to the heart in ways words cannot express.

It's kinda like, do onto others, as you would like done onto you.
You both like to sing at other places, so how do you like to be treated as a singer when you're not the host. What's fair, and equal to all(customers, because you're just the hired help). What would a host do, that would pizz you off....and Don't Do Those things...........from both of your posts, I think you'll do well.....

Oh revered reverborator - I am disappointed that I didn't get to experience one of your famous notable quick nasties! I was so hoping when I read your name...

Funny awards for karaoke?
So I run a girl guide pack and a few of the girls asked for us to karaoke night, I thought it would be nice if each of the girls could have a certificate afterwards but I can't think of 30 different ones!
any ideas?

At my Thursday venue, my shows go from 8:00 to 11:00, while my Saturday shows go from 8:00 to 12:00 midnight...

In each case, I list the names of the singers as they arrive, and if I don't already know their name, I'll ask..

At the mid-point of my shows, (9:30 and 10:00 respectively) new arrivals are inserted into the list immediately behind the current singer. Just a simple variation on the old "if you snooze - you lose" .

I don't know that there will ever be a perfect rotation system, or one that will satisfy everyone, but this system seems to be about as close as I can get.

As for sound checks... I always seem to have at least a half-dozen "regulars" show up at least an hour early... only too eager to "assist" with sound & microphone checks. Sometimes, especially when I'm still adjusting equipment or taping down cables, their "help" can be a pain in the butt... but I treat it as a cost of developing a following, and that's a part of doing business.

So, as much as I would like to sing at the beginning of the night to do the sound checks, I defer to the "regulars" while I check the sound from the floor.

These are things that work for me.... Your mileage may vary.

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Earl
(BS, PHD & Certified CurmuDJeon)

[font=Times New Roman]"Growing Old may be mandatory... but growing UP is still optional."[/font]

The Biggest piece of advice i can give you about your rotation is to operate using the " Bring one , Sing One " method.

This is very easy to explain to your singers, they may only have 1 request in at a time and can turn in their next song when they come up to sing their song.

If they want to sing with a partner that has to count as one of the duo's turns, so if Suzie puts in song and then Joel and Suzie would like to sing also that will count as Joel's song and Joel can not put in another solo request until they've sang that song. This will keep your customers happy and will make it very easy for you to keep your rotation straight.

And then most of all, Just remember to always have fun with it, if you ever start to lose your love for what you're doing then you should take a break. Your happiness is often directly linked to how well you'll do. Have fun!

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Proud User of EV Tour X

Excellent reply and I forgot to mention Suzie, we all have them!

Be open and friendly with everyone (regardless of how much you would like to kick the crap out of them on general principle) listen to what they have to say regardless of what they say, and take from that the suggestions that will improve your show. You won't need suggestion cards!


Best advice. You can learn everything else with time and experiece. This one you need to learn right out of the shoot in my opinion.

Some hosts on here might seem like hard azzes but I bet when they are working, they keep people happy. At least most. Anyway, to me this is the most important aspect of the business, as it is in a lot of businesse!


By the way, that first part was from Virgin. Obviously, he's not a virgin but likes his name!

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KingBing Entertainment C'mon Up! I have a song for you!!! [font=MS Sans Serif][/font]