Karaoke: Making Stars Around the World

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

With karaoke, anyone can be in the spotlight. Singing is a great stress reliever and the perfect way to leave your worries at the doorstep. Besides, singing makes you feel good and it's just plain fun. A karaoke machine is a great way to have a blast with your friends and family and it's the perfect starting point to building your own in-house jam session.

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.

This history of Japan is rich with artistic elements, including music. Traditional Japanese music is present in ancient culture, mythology and history. Japanese Samurais are even known to use dancing, singing and music as an element in 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 development of the karaoke machine held such social importance, Daisuke Inoue was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. His award was based on his ability to provide "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.

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 karaoke first reached the shores of North America, people have regarded the pastime with increasing regard. While few American bars offer karaoke seven nights a week, as many in Asia do, these clubs have upgraded their equipment and replaced those tiny standalone machines that were popular two decades ago. Performers and audience members are able to sing along to song lyrics shown television screens placed throughout the club, and many clubs provide big screen TVs for viewing lyrics.

Many North American homes have also welcomed the karaoke sensation. From inexpensive machines for kids to pricey high-end versions, home karaoke machines can be connected to a pre-existing entertainment center, allowing family and friends to join in the fun. When performers tire of the karaoke music on hand, they can simply go online to download karaoke tracks from the Internet. With music available on the web, plus a couple of computer speakers and a microphone, you don't even need a karaoke machine to sing like a star.

If you've got song in your heart and just need to sing out loud, find a karaoke machine and bring out the star in you.

Article Source: http://www.find-investment-advice.com

Writer Horace Jurdon writes for some of today's most popular Internet magazines, on hobby crafts and ultimate hobby topics.
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