To the uninitiated, karaoke can be a bit of an intimidating scene. As good as we sound singing in the shower, getting up and singing on a microphone in front of a group of strangers (or even friends) can be as appealing as being water-boarded. Thankfully, we’ve got some karaoke pros up on the fourth floor who are sharing some insider info to ease you past your fears and up on-stage.
Start small
Everything is easier surrounded by friends, and the same goes for karaoke. If the idea of singing in front of a packed bar makes you break out in hives, then go see a doctor. Afterwards, gather a couple of your most trusted amigos and rent out a private karaoke room. There’s a multitude of such establishments in Toronto, which vary in size and price. The largest concentration can be found in Koreatown, but really, they’re everywhere. We rounded up some of our favourites in a past post. Once you’ve gotten into a karaoke groove, you can expand to entertaining strangers. It’s not as scary as you think, especially with a bit of liquid courage.
Do what you know
Listen, we’re all for experimentation. But just like you wouldn’t attempt to make a soufflé for the first time your boyfriend’s parents were coming over for dinner, you should also not try to sing a relatively unknown song at karaoke. Stick to the classics to start: “Don’t Stop Believing”, “You Oughta Know”, anything by the Spice Girls. Once you’ve gone enough times, you’ll generate a list of songs you’re comfortable singing. If you’re serious about karaoke, we recommend keeping a running list going to add to whenever you hear a particularly good song.
Know your limits
Knowing the lyrics is key, but we can not stress enough the importance of knowing your vocal range. Whitney Houston may be your jam, but let’s be real… you ain’t Whitney. Or Mariah. Or Celine. Heck, we wouldn’t even recommend Frank Ocean or Lauryn Hill. Nobody wants to hear you screeching into the microphone like a cat in heat. Keep it realistic and everyone will thank you.
A little flair never hurt nobody
At the end of the day, some people are born with voices that sound like a choir of angels and some people are not. The majority of us fall into the latter category, so sometimes a little smoke and mirrors can be your best friend. You may be nervous, but you’ll have ten times more fun if you relax and actually enjoy yourself. Plus, you’re the centre of attention! What better time to show off your “Single Ladies” dance moves. You didn’t spend an entire weekend rehearsing that for nothing, did you?
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