Karaoke Machine free essay sample

Julie Fox Joan Petrusky English 111-15655 August 12, 2011 Essay Two Most people will sing loudly in the shower, in their car on the way to work, or perhaps even in the kitchen while they are making dinner; however there are those that love to pronounce their shower voices and sing for whoever is brave enough to listen. Those are the ones that enjoy what has come to be known as karaoke. The term Karaoke came from Japan and literally means empty orchestra† (Southeastern Louisiana University). The literal meaning really defines just exactly what karaoke is all about. It involves typically a single person, or duet, singing along with simply the background music of a song of their choosing. They are provided a screen that has the lyrics pop up in tune and on beat to the music. With technology advancing there are now many options for those that want to sing. Most KJ’s, which stands for karaoke disc jockey, can very easily and very quickly pull up any song a patron may want to sing with just a quick internet search, giving people options of songs that are endless. It is believed that karaoke was started in the 1970’s in Kobe Japan, when the performer who was supposed to perform for the night was a no show. It is said that the patrons became restless and from this karaoke was born. In the same decade Daisuke Inoue invented the first coin operated karaoke machine. He made a business out of it and started renting his karaoke machines out to restaurants and bars. It is from this very first machine that the modern karaoke machine was developed (Wu). Today karaoke can be found as a way to entertain people everywhere from a local bar down the street, to weddings, birthday parties, and even at baby showers. In fact karaoke has become so popular that there are even national contests where you can compete for fame and fortune (Talent Quest National Karaoke Singing Contest). People travel hundreds or even thousands of miles to compete in these competitions, not only to sing themselves but also just to come observe and enjoy the entertainment aspect of it. For those who aren’t so willing to travel the distance to see a show they can now sit back, and simply enjoy from their living room by watching a new series produced by ABC called â€Å"The Voice†. This new series nvolves three stages of competition: the first begins with the blind audition, then the competition enters into a battle phase, and finally, the live performances where the contestants compete and are judged by the audience and guest judges on the show (Mol). It’s karaoke in a whole new way. So why has karaoke become so popular? Some would argue that it’s just a cheap way to entertain at a bar where p eople get drunk and have nothing better to do. However, there are several different reasons why karaoke has become such a popular sub-culture. One reason is that people simply enjoy the confidence that they get from getting on stage and having an audience (Carol). It empowers people to feel like they are somebody. Another reason is simply a corporate aspect, for bars and restaurants it brings them money. Though it is usually free to participate in karaoke night patrons will spend money on food and drinks which gives businesses revenue. There are also businesses who do charge to rent a room and provide karaoke equipment which is another great way to make money and take advantage of the karaoke phenomena. A possible third reason why karaoke has become so popular can be explained by one scholar, Don Cusic, who has linked karaoke to folk singing which kept songs alive for generations. The folk tradition persisted because, as songs were learned, they were passed on from one person to another as culture, history, and entertainment. People sang to themselves, while they worked, or at home with friends and family members. Behind this ritual, Cusic said, was the need to pass on an oral history and simply the desire to sing. It is quite obvious that through passage of time for whatever reason, this traditional folk singing no longer occurs. However, Cusic observed that karaoke has somewhat rejuvenated this oral tradition. Folklorists now have a new field of study: Which songs are the most folk, or most popular, and why? People know the words and melody of their favorite songs, and sing them for others at a karaoke bar. This is folk singing and proof that the folk tradition is again alive and well in todays technological culture (Southeastern Louisiana University). One of the biggest assumptions that people seem to make is that karaoke is just associated with people drinking. This assumption is very contradictory. There are people that firmly believe that karaoke is nothing more than liquid courage however, the truth is that people of all walks of life participate and enjoy singing karaoke. Social status, age, talent, or any other factors do not apply to the world of karaoke; there is no discrimination when it comes to getting on stage and singing. Of course you will find those that do in deed simply stumble in to a bar, get drunk, and sing because karaoke happens to be going on, but that is not typical of what to expect from a night of karaoke. You are more likely to find a group of people who are regulars and attend every chance they get. Most regulars attend every karaoke night at their favorite establishment or even travel all over town to catch their favorite Kj’s show. No matter where you go, you will find that people are there for companionship, relief from life, and the chance to simply let loose from their daily life. Whatever the reason that they are there, or the story of how they got there, you are likely to find that people are not there to simply get drunk but in fact they are there to sing as loud as they can and for as long as they can (Kilcoyne). From 1970 when karaoke was just thought of to present day where it has grown into a popular form of entertainment it has always been simply a way for people to gather together and share each other’s company. It’s a way for each individual to share talent they may have, or to just sing because they enjoy it. It’s an outlet for anyone who cares to share with the world that they to matter. Annotated Bibliography Karaoke: Culture With A Two Drink Minimum. Southeastern Louisiana University. Web. 18 July 2011. . Wu, Christine. The â€Å"Empty Orchestra† – Origins of Karaoke And The Home Singing Machine. Scribd. Web. 18 July 2011. . History. Talent Quest National Karaoke Singing Contest. Web. 18 July 2011. Mol, John D. The Voice. Television. ; http://www. nbc. com/the-voice/about/; Carol. E-mail interview. 19 July 2011. Kilcoyne, Maureen. Confessions of a Karaoke Diva: My Journey from Novice to KJ. Worcestor Spy. Web. 18 July 2011. .