Judging for a Karaoke Competition: What do people think about this as a standard format for judging?

Dress - dress appropriately to the song so that it gives off a feel for the interpretation of what you are giving. Some people like to go overboard and that is fine as well, as long as it has relevance. But that is not to say that a simple dress style also scores well if it is appropriate for the song and how you are interpreting. Are you using your image to the best of your ability?

Score: /5

Vocal ability - being in pitch, using effective mike technique - are you holding it close enough without muffling and then on bigger notes moving it away, dynamics of the song, range, and individual interpretation. You can sing the song exactly the same as the original singer or you can make your own interpretation ... as long as it works!

Score: /10

Song Choice - if the audience doesn’t know your songs, less likely to get the best reaction. You want a song that is not over done by everyone as well, that will not make them fall asleep or blow off their ear drums. You have to remember that listeners are not just judging your song with how you do it, but with how they have heard anyone else, including the original singer do that song. Above all the song has to be comfortable for you as the singer. Can you give it the best shot with that song?!

Score: /5

Performance - make sure that you aren’t just singing the song, but you are performing it. What emotion is the song conveying? Find what it is and stick to it. You are an actor up there. Perform what is appropriate for the song. If the energy of the song is high then your performance should match that. A ballad then you should be less overt and out there .. the emotion should come through your voice and facial expressions and small movements. Be aware of looking comfortable and relaxed in your performance and not mechanical or 'i have to move my hands or something' or ' ill just put my hand here'. 3-4 minutes for a song can be a long time too. Like most songs having a bridge which 'changes' the song, maybe your performance needs that too. I like the ‘dance like no one is watching’ and ‘sing like no is listening’ analogies.

Score: /10

Audience reaction - very subjective factor as the number of friends you have there can influence, but does an audience get invoved of their own volition? This may be due to song choice, or ryhthm etc, or do you try and get them involved, or are they captivated by your song ... they shut up as you sing, and applause after as well, but again a very subjective category.

Score: /5

X Factor - not necessarily the person who is the most outrageous but someone who has an aura about them. They captivate and capture their audience with confidence or poise or ability and talent. They just have something that says 'listen to me and watch me'. They will be the one that is remembered at the end of the night.

Score: /5

Submitted by Believer on 07-02-2008

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