Love To Sew?

We have great deals on sewing machines and accessories

« Previous1234Next »

Sewing Machine Repair - SewingMachineRepair.com - Jim Jacobson

Controls for Karaoke Systems for Home Inspire an Aspiring Performer (-Player)

Copyright 10/2011 by www.GoKaraokeMachine.com

A karaoke machine can help a musician of any age or ability level to achieve a beautiful performance, with practice.

By singing (or playing an instrument) with a recording, a player or singer can learn songs more speedily than without a recording, and test his/her skill.

If a karaoke machine has tempo control, a musician will be able to perform at a chosen tempo.

If a karaoke machine has a control for pitch, a singer will be able to sing or play in his/her vocal range; or if using sheet music and an instrument, will be able to perform in the key of that sheet music while reading musical notation.

To know what is to be most desired from a karaoke machine, a singer must visualize the tasks to be performed, and how a karaoke machine could assist during a performance. These four stories may help in the visualization.

Coach Surprised - Amateur Corrects Pitch (Sorry, not a sports story)

As an amateur musician, I once auditioned for an advanced music class. The teacher thought about not admitting me when he found I performed "off key."

I practiced with a recording for six weeks.

After the performance, my teacher stated it was unusual that I had corrected my pitch problem, and successfully performed a very difficult piece, as well. But it was not only pitch accuracy that I absorbed from practicing with a recording. The recording had taught me to play at a specific tempo, and trying to achieve a certain tone quality and a phrasing style I could not have envisioned from the sheet music alone.

Before obtaining the recording, my interpretation was awkward, and my tone undeveloped. The recording provided a measure of polish. It was the teacher I couldn't afford.

Piano Student "Practices" while Washing Dishes

Understanding the rewards of practicing with a recording, I taught an older beginner piano student who hoped to achieve a more classical musical education than many "older beginner" piano courses allow. I suggested that she add repertoire to the "older beginner short-cut" piano materials with Shinichi Suzuki's piano course designed for children. (Suzuki's graded piano books and recordings are available for various instruments.)

Suzuki emphasized that emphasis on a good tone is critical to a quality musical education. Because tone cannot be seen in sheet music, he created a series of recordings to supplement the reading of sheet music. He selected repertoire which would build musicianship gradually, step-by-step. It is required that one listen to the recording as part of study of each piece, and that one study each piece in the order presented.

My piano student was able to listen while doing housework, and played by reading musical notation when time permitted. While she had little free time, the time she had was used well.

She made steady progress and became proficient over time. My student did not lose interest, due to her enjoyment of the repertoire, and was able to play beautifully due to hearing the beautiful tone which made the music come alive. Of course, she was encouraged by the thought that if children could play the songs well, she could do it.

While fostering a good performance by providing a recorded example, a karaoke machine can inspire creativity if it has the ability to change three musical attributes: pitch, tempo, and tone. These three elements allow a performer to carefully interpret a song and adapt the song to his/her personality, voice, or ability level, so that the song is performed naturally.

Young Singer Discouraged, Prefers Not To Sing

When I was young and in church choir, I seemed to have a high voice, and so was assigned a soprano part. Unfortunately, some notes were out of my vocal range, and this caused me to feel dismay and insufficiency as a singer.

I came to prefer playing violin and piano. My small difficulty proved determinative in the choice of musical goals.

As an amateur composer, I try to keep vocal parts within a standard vocal range, and provide for vocal warm-up within a score to prepare for more difficult vocal passages.

Shy Musician Able To Perform When Tempo Is Changed

For some reason, I disliked the song My Melancholy Baby (Burnett and Norton) up to the time I was exposed to a performance by Diane Keaton in Woody Allen's film, Annie Hall. The distinctive feature that caught my attention was that she sang it slowly, which caused her to develop a beautiful tone and mood.

That listening experience changed my opinion of the song.Since that experience, if called upon to perform (accompany a singer) in a family setting, where I might feel uninspired, a simple choice of different tempo can make the performance interesting and allow me to adapt it to my capability and taste.



A video provided with this article examines ways a musician can use an affordable karaoke machine to obtain conveniences available through controls on a more capable karaoke machine.

Karaoke musicians will want to note that tempo control is an unusual feature in karaoke, and tends to be on more expensive karaoke machines. A TASCAM trainer, found at www.MusicStudioStore.com, will provide tempo control affordably. In general, tempo control should be digital, so as not to alter pitch.

In choosing a karaoke machine, a basic karaoke machine will often be appropriate. As karaoke singers develop in musical ability, karaoke machines with more controls may be preferred. A singer should be aware of the potential importance of pitch control, and the creative potential of variable tempo in a karaoke machine.

At GoKaraokeMachine.com, we offer low-cost karaoke machines for home and club and system add-ons which may include variable tempo and pitch control. Our sister site at MusicStudioStore.com brings instruments into the karaoke mix by offering Sheet Music with CDs and TASCAM trainers. Enjoy exploring our sites.