Wow! Did we get away from “ethical considerations” or what? That never happens here!

I’ve been watching this thread, but haven’t felt compelled to comment thus far, ……………. (you’re welcome. LOL).

When the subject of “karaoke” came up, I essentially just scanned the comments. Then I noticed that “karaoke” seemed to be a sore spot for Mike when he said:

Quote:

Define karaoke guy



So my initial thought was a group of Japanese businessmen having a fun night out, or a redneck/average guy trying to belt out his best impersonation of Elvis, Merle Haggard or Bob Seger on a dare from his buddies.

After a couple of more comments, I decided to look up karaoke on Wikipedia:

Quote:

The concept of creating studio recordings that lack the lead vocal has been around for probably nearly as long as recording itself. Many artists, amateur and professional, perform in situations where a full band/orchestra is either logistically or financially impractical, so they use a "karaoke" recording; however, they are actually the original artists.



So if we take this definition on face value, if you sing to a backing track and don’t play an instrument, then it’s “karaoke”. I’ll have to admit that if I walk in somewhere and see someone singing to a backing track and they aren't playing an instrument, then I don’t think of them as “musicians”.

Now if this same person was singing and playing an instrument, then I would take time to stop and take notice of what they were doing. If they also mentioned they were playing some of the backing tracks, and/or they’d written the song, then I’d be trying to get a closer seat.

Being a singer doesn’t make you a musician, it makes you a singer. That’s not a bad thing! But don’t expect musicians to think of you as a musician unless you sing AND play while performing.

Also, being able to program backing tracks also doesn’t make you a musician.

Being able to sing is primarily an “accident” of birth, although voice lessons can improve on any level of vocal competence.

Being able to play an instrument is primarily hard work, desire to play, and lessons from anywhere you can get them. In other words, you “earn” this ability. Very few are “accidents” of birth.

That’s why there is a distinction.

So if you’re a good singer, …………be thankful. If you’re a good musician, ……… be glad you worked for it.

If you can do both, ……… do it. You’ll be recognized as a singer and musician.

But if you only do one, don’t get pissed when you aren’t recognized as the other.