We have frustrated singers as neighbors. At night, around 9-ish, the folks at the other side of our house would turn on their CD Players and sing to the break of dawn. We would hear a sonic barrage of songs such as, My Way, …Baby One More Time, and Smoke On the Water for 3 solid hours. They love music, but music hates them. This nightly experience in someway inspired me to write this post. Karaoke music: The Empty Orchestra.
The word itself was crafted from “kara” which meant “empty,” and “ōkesutora”, hence—The Empty Orchestra. Empty, since the songs didn’t have any voice accompaniment. Orchestra, because of the beautiful music.
It was said that Karaoke began in Japan during the 1970’s. The man who created it, Inoue Daisuke, was a struggling singer in a band, covering popular songs. One time, an important client asked them to play for him, but the drummer was unable to go. Instead, he gave them a tape of his accompaniment. Inoue played the tape and the client sang with him. Karaoke was born.
Karaoke spread like wildfire all over Asia, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom of Britain. It has spread to other media as well. There are Karaoke games, bars (KTVs), Videokes and TV game shows. It has become a worldwide phenomenon.
It inspired other people to face one of the most feared things to do on the planet—singing in front of an audience. This is due to the fact that the audience, themselves, expects to have fun with the singer rather than critique him for singing off key. This has made the Karaoke Bars one of the most popular places to go to after a hard work’s day.It inspired other people to face one of the most feared things to do on the planet—singing in front of an audience. This is due to the fact that the audience, themselves, expects to have fun with the singer rather than critique him for singing off key. This has made the Karaoke Bars one of the most popular places to go to after a hard day’s work.
Karaoke will exist as long as humans can sing and hear.