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Karaoke: Making Stars Around the World

By: Horace Jurdon
 

Some say that music soothes the savage beast. While that may be true, karaoke can bring out the animal in even the shiest performer.

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.

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 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.

Musical elements have always been paramount in the formation of Japanese traditions. Music is reflected in all aspects of Japanese mythology, history and culture. Even Japanese Samurais implement singing, dancing and music into their vigorous education and training regimes.

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 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."

"Karaoke Time" has been a popular form of entertainment in East Asia since the early 1980's. Like a global virus, the karaoke phenomenon spread to other parts of the world. Karaoke's popularity was reaching record highs, and it soon became a very productive industry. Before long, the karaoke craze reached North American shores and took the entire continent by storm.

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 its inception in the United States and other western countries, people have begun to take karaoke more seriously. American bars are unlikely to have karaoke seven nights a week as they do in East Asia. Many however, have upgraded their equipment from the small, standalone machines that started the craze over two decades ago. Crowds can follow song lyrics on television screens displayed throughout the bars, and some even offer 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!

Article Source: Main Articles

Author Horace Jurdon loves writing for a variety of web sites, on recreation and hobby store themes.
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