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Bring Out the Star in You with Karaoke

If music soothes the savage beast, then the karaoke phenomenon can be credited with pleasing party animals all over the world.

Everyone wants to be in the spotlight, even if it's for just a little while. Through song, we can relieve daily stresses and leave the rat race behind. Therapeutic stress relief aside, singing is just plain fun. It's a great activity to share with families and friends, particularly through mini concerts or group jam sessions.

When translated, karaoke means "empty orchestra". The term is derived from two Japanese words: Kara, which means "empty" and Oke, short for "okesutora". Karaoke entertainment systems supply pre-recorded musical scores of popular songs without singing. Karaoke performers follow lyrics on a video screen as the music plays on, providing the words they need to sing along.

Karaoke has been popular in portions of North America for more than a decade, but it has been a full-on sweeping sensation throughout Asia for more than thirty years. The first virtual concert machine was introduced in Japan in the 1970s. Since then, karaoke parties have been favorite pastimes for all countless performers on the small stage. The phenomenon of karaoke was so huge that the media adopted the term to use for all occasions when pre-recorded music replaced live performances.

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.

The history of karaoke can be traced back to the early 1970's, and a singer named Daisuke Inoue. A crowd favorite at a bar called Utagoe Kissa, Inoue was often asked to provide recordings of his music so that fans could sing along. Realizing the potential, Inoue created a tape recorder that played a song for a 100-yen coin. At that time, 100-yen was about the price of two typical lunches, so it was considered expensive to use this new music machine. Even so, the combination of old-time jukebox and future karaoke machine proved to be a huge hit in Japan. Inoue decided that instead of selling the machines, he would lease them so that the stores and bars would not have to purchase new songs on their own.

The invention proved such an important social success that Daisuke Inoue was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. The basis of his award was for "providing an entirely new way for people to learn to tolerate each other."

Since the early 1980s, "Karaoke Time" has been a popular form of entertainment in east Asia. The karaoke phenomenon spread like a global virus, taking on other parts of the world. The popularity of karaoke reached record highs and it became a very productive industry. It wasn't long until the karaoke craze hit North America and took the continent by storm.

The new entertainment import industry of karaoke flourished in the Western world. Many Americans, quick to see the investment potential in this new style of entertainment, saw the moneymaking value in offering a new, trendy and fun way to bring people together in a tolerant, patient manner. Across North America, karaoke bars and nightclubs known as "KTV boxes" began to pop up. Eager karaoke performers took advantage of these new venues, software and equipment.

Since first arriving in the United States and other western countries, karaoke has gained regard and respect. Even though American bars are unlikely to feature karaoke seven nights a week as they do in East Asia, many have upgraded their equipment from the small, standalone machines that started the craze more than twenty years ago. While the singers perform, those in the audience can read along with the lyrics on television screens displayed throughout the bars. Many clubs even provide big screen TVs.

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 always wanted to be a star, karaoke is a great way to get your fifteen minutes of fame. Grab the mic and get in tune with the party animal in you!
If music soothes the savage beast, then the karaoke phenomenon can be credited with pleasing party animals all over the world.

Columnist Horace Jurdon contributes to some of today's most popular web sites, on hobby center and hobby shop online subjects.