Karaoke is typically done with friends, coworkers, etc, in small, cozy rooms called "Karaoke boxes" in Japan, and not in front of crowds. Many folks even rent out the rooms for themselves to study, sing alone, or just relax.
Kara-oke.
From the Japanese kara 空 (open, empty, air) and ōkesutora オーケストラ ("orchestra"), the word "karaoke" is not pronounced carry-okie here in Japan but ka as in "cot," ra as in "ramen," and oké as in "okay."
The "air orchestra" and the first karaoke machine were brought into being by a guy named Daisuke Inoue in 1971 in Kobe, Japan.
In Japan, it has long been common to provide musical entertainment at a dinner or a party. Japanese drummer Daisuke Inoue was asked frequently by guests in the Utagoe Kissa, where he performed, to provide recordings of his performances so that they could sing along. Realizing the potential for the market, Inoue made a tape recorder-like machine that played songs for a 100-yen coin each.
So what are my five easy steps for having a kickass time singing karaoke in Japan? Let's get to it!
1. Find a friend that don't give a f***!
Me and Raphael don't give a fuck, so it's a good match.
Okay, so admittedly, this step is not always "easy." Suffice it to say that whoever you choose to sing with should be someone you are not afraid to be yourself around. Let down your guard a bit and let loose.
2. Go to karaoke joint.
As stated previously, karaoke clubs abound in Japan, and there are several major purveyors of karaoke box fun, so find the one with the best song selection, service, and rooms, and head on in!
3. Before you start singing, load up the player with songs.
Songs are selected on this touch screen computer.
Pitch, volume, and reverb settings can be adjusted as well via the control panel/receiver.
This is something my good friend in this post taught me. It's huge. If you load up the player first, you won't be distracted trying to find your next song while your buddy is singing. Once you've successfully loaded up a good chunk of rockin' tune-age, then it's time to sing!
(Once you select your first song, just press "pause" and load up a bunch more. When you're ready to sing, just hit play.)
4. Smuggle drinks if strapped for cash, and don't drink too too much.
Suntory whisky highball, in a can. A very nice choice.
source.
Okay, I know you're probably thinking "What a fuckin' buzzkill in the middle of the list!" But trust me. It's tempting to order the all you can drink option once you hit the box and get really, really...inebriated. However, for prime enjoyment of the tunes, and a good, long night of singing, I recommend taking it easy with just two or three good, strong drinks.
If you are low on fundage, you can stop by your local convenience store and buy your drinks at a much lower price, smuggling them into the karaoke box in your bag. Be sure to be discreet, though, as openly doing this repeatedly could get you asked to leave.
5. Make a mental list of jams you wanna sing before going.
It happens to me all the time. I go to karaoke, only to hem and haw when it comes to choosing songs. Then, the next day, when I'm at work or driving around and hear a song I like I think, "Ah! Why didn't I sing this one at karaoke last night!?!"
The week before you go, make a list of songs you know you want to sing. That said, spontaneity is often what makes for the most memorable shared karaoke experiences, so don't forget not to be too obsessed here!
That's it! If you're ever in my neck of the woods, fellow Steemians, and wanna do some singing, hit me up!
Peace!
~KafkA
Graham Smith is a Voluntaryist activist, creator, and peaceful parent residing in Niigata City, Japan. Graham runs the "Voluntary Japan" online initiative with a presence here on Steem, as well as Facebook and Twitter. (Hit me up so I can stop talking about myself in the third person!)
