First of all, most of us can not be a 'Jonas Anderson' super-star Thai Luk Thoong singer.   That's a simple fact.

    And, these tips aren't for you if your command of Thai is "sawadee kahrp" and not much more.

    My first karaoke experience was on a business trip to Japan and enjoying the companionship of fellow leading sales people.   We all had microphones, a benefit of an elaborate karaoke-based stereo system and no one was looking across at one another for mistakes.

    If your primary objective is ".. to have a good time" - I'd say you came to the right place.   Furthermore, to reinforce the experience and as a musician of ill-report, I can say a musical background of some sort is not necessary, but certainly helpful, eg, choir in school or church or musical instrument or all of the above ...

    Another nice prerequisite is your level of knowledge in Thai and this is all about Thai or Isaan or Lao.   Taking the lyrics that I have provided you on this web site, published no less, you could solicit a nice Thai friend to explain the meaning of each refrain to you to bring a more fulfilling experience to the entertainment.   Last evening, while in a Thai Hollywood bookstore, I ran into a senior monk that we had a lot in common, ie, friends and associates.   He was willing to trade me advanced Thai lessons for English lessons and I agreed.   Your tutor's own ability to translate phrases that may have roots in either tradition or slang is very important to understand versus what I would call "straight translation."

    I only emphasize these so-called prerequisites for the full experience.   That is, if you enjoy singing (No. 1) and enjoy the comraderie that such karaoke social events offers you and just may be learning more about your chosen culture, Thai, then you will come away from the experience well versed and ready to blurt out the Thai words without distraction or embarrassment to yourself!   What embarrassment?!   <bg>

    As it so happens, please turn to the background page on Jonas Anderson, his roots was from his youthful age of 9 which imho - is perfect.   Now, I'm over 50, so I can't change that - nor can you - whatever age you may be (senior to an opportune age group.)

    Like Jonas, if you enjoy language, foreign language, this is a great way to increase your vocabulary and sentence structure or slang usage in every day phraseology and learn more about their culture thru song.   Now, my Japan experience was some six years ago and since the "birth of a new star" in Jonas Anderson, I decided I had a good ("farang") model to mimic after.   Again, I am not going to tell you the meaning of the Thai word "farang" as you should know already or you are way, way over your head here and should stick to humming the songs ...   <s>

    Let me digress for a moment to illustrate the proper way to learn how to sing Isaan songs or participate in karaoke socials:

(1)   Have the English phonetics written down for each song to memorize

(2)   Listen to your favorite Isaan songs a few times (hundreds.)

(3)   Learn the pauses, inflection and "Isaan" sounds, eg, "errrrh"

(4)   Do not be intimidated because you do not know every word or understand the complete story of a song - remember, your primary purpose is to have a good time and do more than "lip-sinc."

(5)   Solicit the tutoring of your own Isaan/Thai tutor and may be in exchange for English lessons; preferably, of the opposite sex so that you can mix pleasure with more pleasure!   ;-)

Now, No. 2 implied that you should have a copy of, at minimum, the audio cassette (no video or karaoke.)   Next, would be nice to have is the audio/video version which would have the performers "moves" or dance steps as you would undoubtedly want to learn these traditions of Thai classical "Ramwong" dance steps and hand movements.   Last and if at all possible, obtain the actual karaoke version of the Thai Luk Thoong songs you want to master.   Jonas first album is superior in all these ways as the karaoke is in sync with the singer.   I have seen many (prior) releases of karaoke (embedded) audio/videos that it only is confusing and misleading and a detriment to the learning process.

    FWIW, I do not get one (red) cent out of recommending or suggesting Jonas' material and a somewhat-friend said in front of both of our wives that I was doing this to flirt with the ladies and/or gain attention from same.   That sly fox almost ruined it for me, but I was able to lie my way out of the truth quite affectively ...   ;-)   And, btw - this guy doesn't have a sweet "note" in his body!   <bg>   I hope he reads this someday - turkey!

    Okay, Tips 1 thru 5, above; noted - you are ready for rehearsal and a form of entertainment for yourself.   If you have ever mastered a musical instrument, you know that you must practice a song, a passage over and over until you have it down pat.   Singing in a choir or group is no different either; requiring hours of preparation.   You can "wing it," of course, but the #4 factor, above, is kept to a minimum thru practice ...

    After you have been practicing karaoke, along with the music, for about six months, you have (undoubtedly) "graduated" to a superior level of competency that you can take great pride in and you may be having conversations with young ladies (or folks) that you never would have dreamed of!

Language Considerations:

(1)   English spelling of "V" is prounounced as a "W"

(2)   English spelling of "R" is prounounced as a "L"

Example: Saravane is prounouced, phonetically: "salawan"

(3)   Thai people "strill/thrill" their "R" sound in many instances

(4)   You might want to consider going into "lip-sinc mode" for passages that require the "errrrh" low-to-high inflection as it really sounds horrible when not done right.   Again, many people are tone deaf and would not make good musicians and never recognize this problem.

My last note of encouragement relates to ethnic singers, Thais.   I was just attending a "Vallentine's" social party/dance with ethnic singers, no band - just CDs and the lady could not sing to, as we say, "..save her life!"   I had the same almost statistically impossible situation happen this past New Year's eve '2000 social - impossible!   The lady had no excuse for amplifying her voice on that stage!   I find this true with a lot of men singers as I regularly watch (daily) Thai TV broadcast from Thailand and the weekly Isaan concerts.   I think men persevere through embarrassment better than women do, or at least, it seems that way because I have not seen very many professional woman singers that didn't have voices like "birds."   But, when it comes to Isaan or Thai Luk Thoong men performers, their ego or whatever, they feel THEY CAN SING AND HOLD THEIR OWN ...   wrong ...   <s>

    I hope you enjoy the experience of foreign language karaoke - especially in Thai, my chosen foreign land.   You may email me, if you wish on specifics and/or problems or further suggestions as to who to turn to.   I can be reached at [email protected].