How-To Guide for Karaoke

If you like to sing and love to be on stage, it's only a matter of time before you try your hand -- or rather, your vocal cords -- at karaoke. A how-to guide for karaoke is quite simple. You pick a song you want to sing, hand your choice to the DJ and when your number comes up, you will be called to the stage and the words to the chosen song come on a screen in front of you.

Even though there are no specific karaoke rules, a certain etiquette must be observed.

Keep it respectful

Whether a performer can sing or not, it takes a great deal of courage to go up on a stage and perform in front of an audience. As a token of respect you should never boo a singer. Karaoke is supposed to be fun and ridiculing someone definitely takes the fun out of performing. Just imagine if it were you up there. How would you feel being booed?

Never throw anything on stage. Unless you are throwing flowers, keep it to yourself.

Applaud the singer

When someone is finished with a number, applaud the singer. It doesn't matter if a performance was good or bad, someone had the guts to sing and that should be rewarded. Applause makes the singer feel good about himself and allows him to leave the stage with his head held high.

Start slow

Some karaoke numbers are solos, some are duets and some are group performances. If you've never sang or been on a stage before, a group performance might be a good start to introduce you to karaoke. It's less nerve wracking than being alone on stage. As you get more experienced, you can move on to duets before attempting a solo performance.

Don't lose your nerve

Even though karaoke bars are for amateur singers, there may be a semi-professional present looking to be discovered. A great voice should not discourage you. The majority of karaoke singers are just like you, there to have a good time.

Be respectful to the DJ

All DJs have their own way of going through a song list. The chances that you will get to sing first, just because you were the first one to hand in a request, are minimal. Some DJs will start off with a rock song, then switch to a slow song, then pick up the pace again with a dance number. Others may play a few dance songs before turning to a ballad. If you have to wait, don't hang around the DJ's platform. Patiently wait your turn and don't go up to him to remind him of your song.

Keep your manners

Even though there are thousands of songs out there, it is possible that someone else picked your song. Should this happen, don't be a spoilsport. Don't even think of picking up a microphone and joining the singer on stage. Just pick another song and wait.

Remember that karaoke is first and foremost about having fun. So don't get too serious about it. Not only might you ruin the experience for you, but for someone else, too.