Does anyone 'Karaoke'???

[65rosessamurai]

This has been a question on the back of my mind for a while, since before coming to Japan, Karaoke seemed to be a booming business in the Detroit area.
The wife and I love to go to Karaoke at least once a month.
I actually feel that it is good excercise for the lungs, helps in learning how to control your breathing, and if you are really good, how to hold that note an extra measure!
However, Karaoke in Japan might still be a bit different than the States. We have our own private rooms that are ALMOST sound-proofed, and since we don't smoke we don't have to worry about that added factor.
I understand from my sister that they, or our parents, have a Karaoke machine and everyone comes over for a 'Karaoke Party'.
BTW, anyone know the meaning and history to Karaoke? For those who don't, Karaoke literally means 'Empty Orchestra'. Osaka was known as the first to commercialize Karaoke, but it's possible the idea came up from someone in Tokyo or something. Currently, at the "Karaoke Box" in Japan, they have gotten more sophisticated with the machines, and use a server and terminals like a computer network.
For those of us who enjoy the 80's and 90's music, this is one way to do it!! The wife and I have a lot of fun with singing old songs from the 80's!

 

[JazzysMom]

I love Karaoke. It went to the wayside for a long time near us, but seems to be coming back a bit. The problem is I dont frequent the bars like I use to so my opportunity to do it isnt as often!

 

[thelizardqueen]

I've done karaoke once before, but that was only because I was drinking - LOL. Every public place where I live is smoke free so I don't have to worry about breathing in smoke, and with karaoke its in a bar (specifically a karaoke bar) in an open place (we don't have private rooms).

 

[EnergyGal]

Never tried it but love to sing. Maybe I will one day. thanks for sharing that info.

 

[blindhearted]

I havent done Karaoke out in public because the only place around here that offer it are bars and I dont go to them. However I do own a Karaoke machine, mic, stand, tons of CDs and love to sing...mostly modern country or pop. I have been in a few competitions for fun and sung on local tv. I am actually gonna sing this weekend on local tv for their Annual CF Telethon, I've done that for the past 5 yrs or so, except when the hurricane kept me from going. Singing does help your lungs. I went through a two year phase when I didnt sing much, just in the car and I lost lung functions because they werent getting that exercise and control. I wish I didnt stop because I loss a lot of control and ablility to hold notes out for a long time.

 

[kayleesgrandma]

I would have to have several, as in a half dozen, drinks to get me up and singing! I don't sound bad to me in the car, but ...nope, just me and the steering wheel will ever hear me!!!

 

[amber682]

I'm too embarassed to sing in front of everyone, no matter how much I drink! Maybe if I was singing with a group of people, I dunno. Way too self-conscious!<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif" border="0">

 

[anonymous]

Not with my voice<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

Uli,44,Germany

 

[65rosessamurai]

Because I don't normally drink (at least not in front of people at work because if I had one drink, then it'd turn into one after another, and I can't handle more than a beer per night), I would use reverse logic and wait until THEY were sloshed before I really went in front of them to sing.
The first time I actually had looked like I had too much, but never had a drop, was when I finally got promoted at work. Right afterwords, the people who I would feel comfortable in front of to sang went to Karaoke, and the ones I didn't feel comfortable with (The party-poopers) went home early!
So, I not only did my 'infamous' Elvis song requests, I added the 'Elvis Pelvis' move to go with it! LMAO when I was doing it!! (But then, I had to get back home before my golden charriot turned back into it's lunch-box, and the wicked wife of that time would turn me into a frog!)
I'm surprised no one has tried the Japan style of Karaoke to make private 'boxes', which would resemble giant living rooms with a Karaoke Machine and sound-proof walls for everyone to bring friends with them to Karaoke with!
Now that I have a car, I can sing to myself...but then again, it's too dangerous because I have to concentrate on the road.(and the pedestrians, and the bicycles, and the motorcycles, and the mopeds, etc., etc.!)
I hope the next time the wife and I go to the states, we can Karaoke, even if it's at a bar full of strangers! I'll just bring my sister, who's a ringer!

 

[amber682]

Alright, maybe if me <i>and</i> all my friends were sloshed.