How to sing Karaoke!

Singing Karaoke....it is either one of the best things you do or the most terrifying things you won't do.  I will tell you this....when you get the courage to go up there and sing AND you have fun doing it...it doesn't matter how you sound.  


For those of you who are still worried about it here's a few things you can do to prepare for your Karaoke debut.

1. Sing whenever and wherever you can:  To begin with....you know the old saying about singing in the shower....JUST DO IT!
2. Sing with confidence!  Remember, Karaoke is a SHOW.  Have fun and enjoy the environment.  Each person that is up there.....had their first time also!
3. Stand up straight.  It will be easier to sing if you are standing up straight.  Remember your mother telling you this while you were growing up?  Great time to do this as it will help you sing and it helps you with confidence.
4. Leave your shyness at the door.  Have a drink to relax, breath to relax but standing at the mic you cannot be shy.  If you are shy....your singing will not be confident.  Belt it out.  Who cares how you sound as long as you are having fun.
5. Practice.  Find songs that you know and love.  Sing them in the car, in the shower or wherever the mood strikes you.  Find a few songs you love and get those down.  Don't try a "new" song your first time up there.

With all of these tips there is one thing in common:  FUN FUN FUN!!!  

If you need encouragement...bring friends up to the stage with you BUT YOU HOLD THE MIC!!  Most Karaoke DJ's will also help....they want you to have fun so you tell everyone about them.

You only live once, right?  Get busy living or get busy dying (Shawshank Redemption).

Good luck!! 

Please tell me about your first Karaoke experience and what helped you get over the fear of singing....you may just help someone out who needs a little bit of encouragement or assistance!

Jimmy's Tavern:  Karaoke Tuesday and Saturday Nights

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Elvis Presley Quick Facts

The King of Rock and Roll (1935-1977)

Grew up in poverty to be the most unique voice of his time.  Everyone loved him, especially teenagers.  His music, a combination of Rhythm & blues, county, pop and gospel and his stage appearance was what attracted the church people; and not in a positive way being nick named "Elvis the Pelvis."

In the mid 50's (1956) he starred in "Love Me Tender" which had been a lifelong dream for him.  During this time, with the exception of his time in the army, he was recording songs, doing live concerts and making movies.  When he returned from the army in 1961 he exclusively did movies

In 1969 the movie making became dissatisfying as they all seemed to be the "same" movie with a different title so he kicked off his sing career with a month long concert at the Las Vegas International Hotel in 1969.  From this time, until the time of his death in 1977, he toured all over the United States making history with his shows, costumes and box office breaking records. 

1960s saw Elvis acting in one movie after another (for example "Flaming Star", "Blue Hawaii", and "Viva Las Vegas"), until finally his films ended up being produced like from an assembly line with a set pattern. Elvis grew dissatisfied with his acting career and totally quit making movies in 1969. Instead he started giving live concerts again - encouraged by the good response of the TV special aired in 1968 and by the triumphant success of a month-long concert engagement at the Las Vegas International Hotel in 1969.

The time from 1970 till his death at 1977 Elvis spent touring in concerts all over the United States - around 1,000 concerts total. He also had long engagements in Las Vegas International Hotel each year. He made history with these elaborate shows, his costumes (most often various jumpsuits) breaking box office records.

Elvis and Priscilla (married in 1967) had one child, Lisa Marie, born in 1968. 

Say what you want about how Elvis lived and how he died but he sold over one billion albums worldwide, has over 100 gold/platinum awards for his music and is, still today, the most popular artist ever.  My personal favorite is Jailhouse Rock and you can enjoy it here.

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Secrets of enjoying and singing karaoke

Okay, so you're shy.

Okay, so you couldn't carry a tune with a forklift.




There are very few things that are less "scarier" than being invited out by friends to go have a drink on a Saturday night.....only to find out AFTER you said yes that it's Karaoke night.

You have a few choices to make:

1. Call at the last minute and cancel blaming your spouse, your kids, your pets.  NAH!!
2. Sit there and watch everyone else having fun saying you have a sore throat.  NAH!!
3. Get up and join in the fun!!!!!!

The first thing you need to know, realize and believe is that YOU are the only one who really cares whether you can sing or not.

The second thing you need to know, realize and believe.....when you are singing karaoke the person who is having fun gets the loudest applause.  Remember the scene from "My Best Friend's Wedding" Cameron Diaz did not sing the song very well....and no one was impressed in the beginning because she wasn't having fun....It was when she started having fun that the crowd went crazy.  This doesn't just happen in the movies!! People who go to karaoke bars want to have fun!  If they wanted to hear "perfect" music they would stay home and listen to their IPod's.

The third and last thing you need to remember:  Only you can decide if you are going to have a good time.  It is not anyone else's responsibility to make sure YOU are happy....so go out there, have fun, be entertaining, make a fool of yourself and have the time of your life!!!

Beginners can always start with songs like Tequila as it doesn't get much easier than this.  This is a great song to get past your "stage freight" and get used to karaoke!!!

Jimmy's Tavern has karaoke every Tuesday and Saturday night!!