Sing Along with Karaoke

Sometimes you've just got to sing, and when the mood strikes you to belt out a favorite tune, karaoke can set the stage to find the hidden star in you.

With karaoke, anyone can be in the spotlight. Singing is a great stress reliever and the perfect way to leave your worries at the doorstep. Besides, singing makes you feel good and it's just plain fun. A karaoke machine is a great way to have a blast with your friends and family and it's the perfect starting point to building your own in-house jam session.

The word "karaoke" is a Japanese term derived from two words: Kara, meaning "empty", and Oke, a short term for "okesutora" (orchestra). This "empty orchestra" is actually an entertainment system that's packed with pre-recorded musical scores of popular songs and melodies. Most karaoke machines provide a screen with lyrics for the performers to follow along as the music plays on.

Karaoke music and parties have fully swept Asia, and is now making a solid presence in North America. Since the first virtual concert machine was introduced in 1970's Japan, karaoke parties have favorite pastimes for music aficionados of all stripes. Karaoke became so popular, the media adopted the term to use on occasions when a live performance was substituted by pre-recorded or "canned" music.

Japanese traditions are rich with musical elements. This form of entertainment is reflected in Japanese culture, history and mythology. Even Samurais use music, singing and dancing as part of their training and education.

Tracing the history of karaoke will take us back to the early 1970s, when a nightclub singer by the name of Daisuke Inoue performed regularly in a Utagoe Kissa, a Japanese bar. Inoue was so popular that fans would regularly ask for recordings of his music that they could sing along with. Inoue saw the potential and created a tape recorder that played a song when a 100 yen coin was inserted. Back in the 1970s, 100 yen would buy about two lunches, so it was a fairly steep price for a single song. Still, the combination of old-time jukebox and future karaoke machine proved to be a phenomenal hit in Japanese clubs. Inoue decided that he would lease the machines to stores and bars instead of selling them, so that the owners would not have to purchase new songs on their own.

The development of the karaoke machine held such social importance, Daisuke Inoue was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. His award was based on his ability to provide "an entirely new way for people to learn to tolerate each other".

The act of singing karaoke is known as "Karaoke Time", and has been a popular form of entertainment in East Asia since the early 1980's. The karaoke phenomenon quickly spread to other parts of the world, and its popularity soon reached record heights. Before long, the karaoke craze reached North American shores, took the entire continent by storm and opened brand new opportunities for enterprising individuals.

This new entertainment import flourished in the western world. Enterprising Americans quickly saw the potential of investing in this new type of entertainment. It provided cool, relaxing fun and was able to bring people together in a patient and tolerant manner. Nightclubs and karaoke bars known as "KTV boxes" began to open across North America, bringing new venues, software and equipment to eager performers.

Since karaoke first reached the shores of North America, people have regarded the pastime with increasing regard. While few American bars offer karaoke seven nights a week, as many in Asia do, these clubs have upgraded their equipment and replaced those tiny standalone machines that were popular two decades ago. Performers and audience members are able to sing along to song lyrics shown television screens placed throughout the club, and many clubs provide big screen TVs for viewing lyrics.

The karaoke sensation has also entered our homes. From inexpensive children's versions to high-end machines, home karaoke systems can be connected to a pre-existing entertainment center and families can join in the fun. Karaoke music can be downloaded from the Internet, and fans can sing along with their computers if they do not have a personal karaoke machine available.

If you've got song in your heart and just need to sing out loud, find a karaoke machine and bring out the star in you.

By: Horace Jurdon

Columnist Horace Jurdon writes for several web sites, on hobby center and hobby shop online subjects.
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