The word “karaoke” originated from a Japanese word meaning empty orchestra or empty choir and the karaoke machine was independently invented in Japan in 1971 by Daisuke Inoue (Businessman and Night Club Musician).
Karaoke is THE perfect bonding activity for me and others who enjoy a creative way to express oneself and ultimately just bond with your favorite people, by creating healthy, spontaneous and creative memories. Powerful idea of expression, right? Sure, it is.
Years ago, I would just sing to my children while nursing them, or to keep them content on short drives to and fro. Then my sister Serena purchased me my first karaoke machine! I would take a break from my desk work and /house chores, plug the karaoke machine in, select a song, throw on my rock and roll mohawk wig, grab the kids and party with my then homeschooled children for a song or three, Then rewind them down with lunch so I could go back to getting more work done. To this day I never told her how much I appreciated that machine. I’ll do that after this post.
I must admit, Smule, (find me there at @kelleplace ) was my pathway to group karaoke. It’s an app that allows you to sing duets or choral style songs with people all over the world. You even have the option of singing solo, and storing them all (including video performances) in one library on the app. Once I learned that, I started creating my own playlist for both my pregnant and end of life doula clients, I would sing familiar song that would bring comfort, empowerment and peace to them and played it for them during our meetings or forward them a link between sessions. I even made a playlist just for my dad when he was in the hospital. Although I shared it with him, it helped me manage my emotions as well. I called that play list “Mountains.”
So I guess you can say that karaoke could easily be a part of ones selfcare as well. Not only can you comfort with it, you can also celebrate good times, empower de-stress from life, and just let loose since it’s merely a fun shared experience that anyone can participate in regardless of their singing skillset.
Over the years, I have had the honor of
celebrating my birthday with my favorite people in such fun and relaxing settings and it has yet to disappoint any of us! My favorite time yet was with my daughters and niece! They rented a private room, complete with drinks and food -plenty! Once the usher closed our room door, it was on and popping! My young divas barely 20
years old, instantly became the Supremes! Confidently rolling, jumping plopping all over the floor, couch, wall door- everything! (just kidding but, you get the point!) We had a ball cheering each other on and loosing much inhibitions. We sung to smooth songs from the 90’s up to the ratchet 20’s.
This year I had the honor of attending a karaoke birthday party with one of my favorite elders. She too had a ball. We took turns singing songs from her genre and preferred taste! To see her eyes light up and her hips move from left to right was a delight for all! She still talks about that session to this day! Disclosure- the elder turned 82. So although she was a bit off beat- it did not matter. Nor did it take away from the enjoyment! Again, it’s all about increase happy genes.
Thinking about giving it a try, here’s four tips for enjoying a karaoke session:
- Choose a Comfortable Venue: Select a karaoke venue with a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. The ambiance can significantly impact the enjoyment of the experience.
- Diversify Song Selection: Encourage participants to choose a mix of songs to cater to different preferences. This ensures that everyone has the opportunity to sing something they like.
3. Create a Supportive and Fun Environment: Foster a supportive atmosphere where everyone feels encouraged to participate, regardless of their singing abilities. Positive reinforcement and applause can go a long way in making the experience enjoyable for everyone.
- Mix solo and group performances to keep the energy high and allow everyone to shine individually or as part of a team. Encourage everyone to participate, even if they’re initially hesitant. Peer support and a non-judgmental environment will help people feel more comfortable.
4. Capture the Moments: Take photos or videos during the session to capture the fun moments. This not only creates lasting memories but also encourages a sense of togetherness.
QC Supermom 