Karaoke- to get the Elderly started

Subject: Karaoke- to get the Elderly started
From: Ebbie
Date: 25 Apr 13 - 04:22 PM

In a thread called 'Sunshine Thoughts' I posted about a music event I'm trying to get started here at the Senior Center where I am now living.

Interest varies. We've met just once so far- only three tenants showed up. That in itself is fine by me. I am perfectly happy with building it up slowly.

However. Today in our weekly Koffee Klatch, the subject of Karaoke came up and practically everybody enthused over the idea of bringing a machine in and letting it help get people started singing.

A Care Facilitator present (Many of our people here are old and somewhat frail) said she has an unused machine at her house and she'll lend it to us. At this point there is a consensus that Wednesday evenings would work. Because of my involvement in the local music community they have appointed me to set it up.

I've heard karaoke only once in my life- and it was kind of lame. I much prefer 'homegrown' music.

But it would be a good way to get people to exercise their lungs and to get used to the sound of their voices, if nothing else. Many of these people say they haven't sung in years.

I checked online prices on the machines and they seem to be priced at around $200. In the meantime we can use the Facilitator's machine.

Any views on this?

Subject: RE: Karaoke- to get the Elderly started
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Apr 13 - 04:01 AM

Hi Ebbie
Seems like a great idea but would probably call (at least in the early days) for a lot of work! This does not have to be all done by you. There is a lot of help out there, you just have to find it.

I guess what I would do - and can I stress this idea is entirely personal, others will no doubt have totally different approaches - is to have an informal chat to find out what kind of music participants are interested in singing. A karaoke version might be obtainable already but for the kind of music you seem to be interested in, and what brought you to ask on Mudcat, you might have to look for help from your local music community. Record the backing and print out song sheets (LARGE TYPE FOR FAILING EYESIGHT!) You could consider a laptop with projector although a song sheet would give people the chance to "swot up" at home

Use local media to seek sponsorship to cover costs. Here in the UK there are several foundations you could approach for grants to purchase equipment.

Good luck with the project and BIG CONGRATS on coming up with the idea!

Eddie

Subject: RE: Karaoke- to get the Elderly started
From: Megan L
Date: 26 Apr 13 - 05:47 AM

Ebbie these might spark some ideas

ok this is uk
American version

Subject: RE: Karaoke- to get the Elderly started
From: Ebbie
Date: 12 May 13 - 02:52 AM

Well, I had pretty high hopes for this idea but I may have to give it up.

The karaoke machine is here now and it is fine. The tone is fine, the lyrics are large and clear enough, the controls are intuitive.

However. (Why is there always a 'however'?) There are perhaps 20 DVDs with a fairly wide variety - for people under 40, say; for this age group they are absurd: Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, I don't know who all but that will give you the idea. I don't remember the song titles but a song like 'Boom Boom Pow' got my attention.

There is one disk of Patsy Cline and one labelled 'country' with 'Okee from Muskogee' and 'King of the Road' the only titles I've ever heard of.

I called a couple of variety stores here in town and they don't carry Karaoke stuff. I also called a local bar that I know has Karaoke nights, asking them whether they would have some disks they would like to sell.

They don't use disks, they told me; theirs is all from the internet- and pretty 'spendy', she said.

I've looked at Amazon and they all seem to be 'Party Time' tunes. More Boom Boom Pow, no doubt.

What I've been looking for is folk-ish songs, songs that we grew up with, gospel songs (not so much hymns- gospel is rousing, I'm not interested in hymns), country songs, easy songs, sing along songs...

Anyone have any ideas?

Subject: RE: Karaoke- to get the Elderly started
From: Megan L
Date: 12 May 13 - 03:14 AM

this might be a starting point lass Mixed karaoke

Subject: RE: Karaoke- to get the Elderly started
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 12 May 13 - 05:16 AM

If you find a large computer monitor, or a TV that can be used with a computer, you can try to work with MIDI files, as amply found on the 'net. A good free software is VanBasco's Karaoke Player.

Subject: RE: Karaoke- to get the Elderly started
From: Gallus Moll
Date: 12 May 13 - 06:11 AM

There' a Gaelic Karaoke dvd which I think you could source through Lews Castle College on Stornoway, Isle of Lewis! (Scotland)

And I have a vague feeling that there was a Scottish / folk / traditional type one doing the rounds a few years ago - - maybe the TMSA* would know? Or ask the question on the footstompin website forum, it is more focused on Scottish folk / trad scene.   
(*Traditional Music and Song Association)

Subject: RE: Karaoke- to get the Elderly started
From: Gallus Moll
Date: 12 May 13 - 06:17 AM

I know this is not what you are looking for but perhaps you could set up something along these lines, rather than try to source karaoke material? - I have seen posters advertising Dementia singing groups - there is an organisation which co-ordinates these in local areas, can't remember details but I saw a poster in Oban, think there is a group there -- a leader (and helpers?) organise these, it is very beneficial to Dementia sufferers who can in fact remember songs from 'way back and thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to sing in group.

Back in the 1950s and early '60s group/ choral singing was very popular, I have picked up many songbooks in charity shops (there's another thread on this) which were produced with a broad cross section of songs in them - many were folk songs. So - song books / song sheets might be another option?

Subject: RE: Karaoke- to get the Elderly started
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 May 13 - 01:05 PM

Here is a bit of Karaoke humor from the Jay Leno Tonight Show. It's making the rounds on facebook - if you want to see how much fun people can have with Karaoke, just watch this couple!

SRS

Subject: RE: Karaoke- to get the Elderly started
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 12 May 13 - 01:43 PM

this might help!

Subject: RE: Karaoke- to get the Elderly started
From: Megan L
Date: 12 May 13 - 01:54 PM

Drat that was a silent skelp

Subject: RE: Karaoke- to get the Elderly started
From: Ebbie
Date: 13 May 13 - 12:13 PM

Thanks, ever'body! I have several new ideas now. Thanks especially, Megan L. I've got that site bookmarked.

And, of course, thanks, John Mac!