Karaoke

I went karaoke-ing recently. If you don’t already know, Karaoke is a type of entertainment system where you sing along to pre-recorded accompaniment using a microphone. The music video is played on the screen without the vocals, and you sing to the music and lyrics with the help of a prompter – usually a moving symbol, and the changing colour of the lyrics.

Karaoke first originated in Japan in the early 1970s. It quickly gained popularity in Chinese-speaking countries such as mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore. Now, it is a popular global pastime enjoyed in various settings from public bars, clubs, to private rooms, and private social gatherings. It is a fun way to socialize and have fun regardless of singing ability.

Some venues have a small stage. Customers have to go on stage to sing. In other KTV lounges, you request for the song and when it is your turn, the staff will pass the microphone to you and it is your turn to shine, or to make a fool of yourself. And then, there are KTV lounges that provide you a private room. If you are too shy to sing in the hall, or if you like to sing more than one, or two songs, you book the room and you and your mates can sing to your hearts’ content.

Karaoke machines have come a long way – from the early days when video tapes were used, to LaserDisc, and as technology advanced, karaoke evolved with “digital music, smartphone apps, and online platforms, allowing users to sing anytime and anywhere”.

Anyhow, my friend and I booked a karaoke room for two hours and we sang to our hearts’ content. Neither of us are good singers. But we love to sing, and it was only us in the room. We tortured each other's ear drums for two hours. What fun!

Teo Heng family KTV lounge offer rooms of various sizes accommodating between four people to a room to VIP rooms that can accommodate up to twenty people.

This is a small room since there were only two of us. They allow up to four person in the room.

This is the karaoke system. You key in your song on the touchscreen monitor, and the song will play on the big TV screen on the wall. You sing to the music and lyrics.

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