| Many people envy famous musicians and singers and | | | | just need to get a video game or a home karaoke |
| wish they could be like them. They dream of becoming | | | | system. Then they can decide who (if anyone) gets to |
| rich and famous, however unlikely that might be. So | | | | hear their renditions of their favorite songs. Home |
| many people enjoy singing, either alone or along with | | | | systems and games also give you a great opportunity |
| their favorite artists, that it is no surprise that karaoke is | | | | to practice for those more public exhibitions of your |
| so popular. | | | | skill. Some of the games will rate you on how well you |
| When you are singing karaoke, you get to pretend that | | | | did so you can see where you need to improve, and |
| you are the lead singer. You get a chance to sing and | | | | then practice until you get better. This makes for less |
| show off your skills to everyone who is around, and | | | | embarrassing public performances. |
| you have the help of the background music and the | | | | Not everyone who loves karaoke even participates. |
| screen showing you what you are supposed to be | | | | Some people just enjoy going out to listen to the other |
| singing. You don't even have to have all the words | | | | people perform. It can be fun to sit in a group and rate |
| memorized, which you would have to do if you tried | | | | the different people, or enjoy dancing to the music and |
| just singing the song on your own. | | | | hanging out with friends. |
| Those who sing badly can still participate, although | | | | Those who are really into this activity can even |
| depending on the crowd they might get boos rather | | | | participate in competitions. Many karaoke nights have a |
| than cheers. Some of the fun of karaoke is just seeing | | | | prize for the person voted the best. Some of these |
| how well you and your friends can do singing the | | | | winners at bars and clubs may qualify for local or |
| various songs. The best thing is that you don't | | | | national competitions. There are even international |
| necessarily have to do this in a public bar with all sorts | | | | competitions that you can try to qualify for, with prize |
| of strangers. Even shy people can get their fix, they | | | | money attached for those who win. |