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Hey Mike I don't take it personally and yes they are worth every penny, dime or shekel they get. In better times, I would have taken us out to dinner and more as well.
Those of us in the arts& craft/tourist biz are taking in 10% of what we did 8 yrs ago. It's not just me and my fellow crafters that have been doing this for 30+ years, feeling the pinch, it's other micro small businesses as well.
Music and other art expressions are not essential. Look what's being cut from local government services, in some cities, police manpower.
Maybe it's me but I see a whole restructuring of life in the years ahead and maybe a Renaissance after that. Life without art is very bleak.
There's another group That i saw(Youtube of course) doing some Phantom of the Opera rock style, Night Vision or Night Watch, I can never remember there name. Heavy Metal but outstanding.
Have a Good Christmas, Wyndham
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One thing to consider about the fact that people will not spend the cash to see live music like they used to is the competition of other forms of entertainment...people can watch movies at home, play video games, listen to c.d. quality music, have a drink without worrying about being stopped for a d.u.i.. I think movie theaters and coffee houses and hang out places of all sorts are hurting because folks can have a lot of entertainment @ home on the cheap...I don't prefer this but I'm afraid it is part of life. ....If a person can do a single using biab and get people out of the house and into a restaurant or bar that couldn't afford a four or five piece band it is good I think....especially if they can keep the karaoke guy from showing up:)....in a perfect world karaoke would help create business for voice teachers but unfortunately it doesn't always work out that way:)
...........Jeff......
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Feerings noting more dan Feeeerings!
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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I'll be here anytime you need me
By your side to dry away
Every teardrop (riff) that you cried (sniff)
And if he ever leaves you blue (note not black and blue..call the COPS!)
Just remember I love you (at least after 4 beers)
But I'll be outta here before the Karaoke starts
But I'll be outta here before the Karaoke starts
Sing some spanish stuff just before this verse...it worked for this Freddy dude, I lernt his song for a stage show in Sault Ste. Marie but it sounded wrong on my 'lectric Wurlitzer piani.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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L.O.L. Karaoke is so hard to take. I read an article where cruise ships are starting to host live music Karaoke...It'd be a pretty good gig if you can somehow monitor the music without having to listen to the singing:)..I guess the band has to play to a click track so that they an be in time w/the words on the screen.
...........Jeff......
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Citaat:
....If a person can do a single using biab and get people out of the house and into a restaurant or bar that couldn't afford a four or five piece band it is good I think....especially if they can keep the karaoke guy from showing up:)....
Define Karaoke guy?
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Karaoke = any guy that sings along to prerecorded tracks that flash the lyrics up on a screen while living in the Netherlands! Duh! just kiddin there Mike!!! They can actually live just about anywhere these days!!! 
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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What's the difference with a guy playing guitar, piano, sax or whatever using prerecorded backings or BiaB?
In my opinion karaoke is where the audience are given the chance to sing their favorite songs with a microphone in their hands while reading the lyrics from a screen.
btw: I NEVER have my lyrics on paper or screen when performing. Nor do I have chords or tabs on stage when I play guitar in my band either.
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I thought karaoke meant 'do no enter' ..
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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It's actually a Japanese phrase for "Hey Mike I'm pullin yer leg!"
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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Citaat:
It's actually a Japanese phrase for "Hey Mike I'm pullin yer leg!"
Now I'm done for: You guys pulling one leg, the wife's pulling the chain on the other.
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I hate that chain pullin thing!!
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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Quote:
Quote:
....If a person can do a single using biab and get people out of the house and into a restaurant or bar that couldn't afford a four or five piece band it is good I think....especially if they can keep the karaoke guy from showing up:)....
Define Karaoke guy?
.....Don't know if I have an absolute definition for Karaoke guy....but there exists both karaoke hosts and participants who cant sing in tune or in time (I mean at all) I guess we would have to further define play an instrument....In tune or in time with the other music?...I think it is kind of unlikely that someone who would be entering Chord changes into biab wouldn't know the first thing at all about music but I guess it could happen .....more power to them if they make money for the club. It would just be really hard for me to listen to....Don't get me wrong , when someone who can sing is singing to pre recorded tracks and selling or sharing their performance that works...(at least in my opinion it is something worth listening to). I realize that using biab is a short cut to making good sounding midi files and backing track arrangements, In fact this happened to me once: I made some tracks with biab and ptw,loaded them into my ipod and was in a hotel doing a gig and someone asked me : "so are you playing along with karaoke tracks?" So I guess the right response from me is: "Thanks for thinking that my backing tracks sound that professional, but No I made them myself...Thanks to biab:)" ....I agree that it is a Grey area what performance really is...because backing tracks can make it easier.....I guess in a nutshell here is my stance: a solid performance worth listening to by the performer with any pre recorded by oneself or purchased backing tracks=good...a poor performance, no matter how good the backing tracks sound=not good
...........Jeff......
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In South Africa, like most other places, musicians are struggling to find work.
Since I started offering my services using Band-in-a-box to back my sax playing, I'm getting plenty of work. I always offer the option of other musicians, but the solo option is obviously more affordable. And frankly, most of the customers don't even notice if there's just one musician playing.
The only question is: Would you rather sit at home, or go out and earn good money with Band-in-a-box?
Mike Laatz
Cape Town
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Quote:
In South Africa, like most other places, musicians are struggling to find work.
Since I started offering my services using Band-in-a-box to back my sax playing, I'm getting plenty of work. I always offer the option of other musicians, but the solo option is obviously more affordable. And frankly, most of the customers don't even notice if there's just one musician playing.
The only question is: Would you rather sit at home, or go out and earn good money with Band-in-a-box?
and I predict that as availability of 1-person acts increases, the number of businesses willing to hire them will also increase. Supply and demand. There's work out there if the price is right.
So, in summary of this thread: the moral implications don't say we should STOP playing small gigs because that puts big bands out of work. Rather, I think that by preparing quality 1-person acts we have the opportunity to revive live music, thereby creating many MORE gigging opportunities than there were previously.
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Quote:
What's the difference with a guy playing guitar, piano, sax or whatever using prerecorded backings or BiaB?
Besides playing a guitar, piano or sax the odds are he/she actually know something about music i.e. chord structure and have some arranging skills, while the karaoke guys I've seen simply put, program and spin records.
Also besides the difference stated above most have paid dues for years by actually playing with bands in clubs and bars. while the karaoke guys I've seen simply put, program and spin records.
Later,
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I would add that a karaoke guy is not a bad person...just not a real musician. In the same way that a guitar hero champion is good at something a bit different from being a musician. It is sad when the general public doesn't know the difference. One thing I think is really cool is the ability to put ones own spin on a cover tune like a band would and still use it in a single/duo context. That way club owners and other talent buyers can be assured that they are buying the work of a musician and not just a recording of one. ...just a couple of my thoughts and observations:)
...........Jeff......
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Citaat:
I would add that a karaoke guy is not a bad person...just not a real musician.
Hmm, so here I am, after years of playing guitar and singing in different bands, having had years of vocal coaching, writing, playing and recording my own music, making my own backingtracks if there are no good ones available. You see me in a bar performing just singing with backingtracks. And immediately you can tell I'm not a musician? Wow!
Well, in that case I may no longer be a musician; I do earn my living doing it 
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We've all been to a karaoke night .. I can't figure out where the confusion is coming in.
Karaoke is crowd participation, and often, oh let's say uncomfortable to listen to if one has an ear.
A 'musician' performing to pre-planned tracks is not karaoke.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Quote:
Quote:
I would add that a karaoke guy is not a bad person...just not a real musician.
Hmm, so here I am, after years of playing guitar and singing in different bands, having had years of vocal coaching, writing, playing and recording my own music, making my own backingtracks if there are no good ones available. You see me in a bar performing just singing with backingtracks. And immediately you can tell I'm not a musician? Wow!
Well, in that case I may no longer be a musician; I do earn my living doing it
Mike please note that my post states "the ones I've run into", I am not saying all are not musicians, however it is a perspective thing man. With that said I'd be willing to bet when most musicians see someone performing karaoke minus any live instrumentation they do not think of him/her as a fellow musician. I know, a jump to a conclusion, but that is what most humans do.
But your response does lead me to another question and that is why don't you play guitar as well as singing to your backing tracks as that would IMHO separate you from the dj's who are in fact just spinning cd's?
Not trying to rain on your gig man, this is just a personal observation derrived from seeing dj's that are hired in my neck of the woods on a day to day basis.
Happy New Year!
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