Who can sing karaoke?
Who can sing karaoke?
Well almost anyone. Actually, after just noticing my catch phrase at the top of the page, everbody can. I've personally run shows for people with all kinds of disabilites including, deafness, blindness and intellectual. Whilst people with these disabilities face some of the biggest challenges to performing, we always seem to find a way for those that want to. For those without disabilities the only thing that really matters is confidence. Many believe it's about ability, but thats not directly true except to say that the more ability you have, the easier it is to have confidence. Never mind that though as I've seen people who have trained voices and practice daily who didn't have the confidence to have a go (what a shame). Conversely, you'll sometimes see others on the other end of the scale who have little to no ability and you can't stop them.
See, it really is all about confidence!
So how confident are you?
Your confidence simply determines your starting point. The more confident you are, the further down the list is your starting point. Try to look at these starting points from the perspective of pressure on a singer. The quieter the background music, the louder you make the mike volume, the brighter the lights, the smaller the performing group and the bigger the stage: the more performance pressure you place on the singer.
Starting points!
- Singing at home/car with radio/cd where no-one else can hear.
- Singing along with a big crowd in the dark whilst the stage performer does their thing.
- Singing a few notes of the chorus on a wireless mike in the dark whilst the stage performer does their thing.
- Singing in a group on a stage without a mike.
- In a group on a stage and just holding a mike without singing.
- Singing in a group on a stage with a mike.
- Solo, on stage, bright bights, singing loud, music optional.
Introverts, hmmmmm.... Probably best to start at starting point 1. Fear not, there is a path to the karaoke stage for you too, it's just that your starting point is a bit further from the stage than others. If you are a self-confirmed introvert who would like to start spreading their wings a bit more, then just take it one step at a time and be prepared to take one specific risk. At some point, you have to take the risk of singing loud enough that someone else hears it even if you're off key. If you never do this, you won't be able to get to the next step of hearing your voice out loud and adjusting your pitch correctly.
Being heard by others when you're singing off key is the biggest fear for the new singer. Even if you only make one loud note, that is a step. Gradually, after you push your personal envelope a little more, your confidence should increase until you continuously sing out loud.
****Extroverts**** You're at starting point 7 in the middle of the stage with bright lights pouring all over you singing at the top of your voice. You don't care what others think at all so stroll on up and get stuck in.
Now everyone else should probably begin somewhere in between. Let your confidence be your guide.