Even amateur singers should prepare properly before singing. They should drink warm beverages such as tea, and should avoid adding sugar to their drinks. Instead, karaoke singers should add honey and lemon or lime to beverages, as these help to soothe the throat. They also should avoid eating greasy, unhealthy foods such as fried foods, burgers and french fries right before they sing. Chocolate and dairy may also hamper vocal abilities.
It is a good idea for any singer, whether professional or amateur, to warm up thoroughly before they pick up the microphone. There are countless warm-up techniques that improve range and tone and that protect the vocal cords and throat from injury while singing. Some popular ones include running through scales by starting where the range is comfortable and gradually moving higher and higher until the singer has gone up an entire octave; then the singer can go back down the octave.
Karaoke singers should carefully consider the songs they intend to sing. They should choose a song that they know well and that they are confident they can execute easily. Also, they can select a song that they think the crowd will enjoy. Slow songs, such as ballads, are typically more difficult to sing, because the relaxed tempo showcases the singer's voice, range and style. An up-tempo song may be easier to sing.
It is vital that a karaoke singer have fun and engage the crowd while performing. The audience will be able to tell when the singer is enjoying himself. When he is confident and enthralling, the crowd will participate in and applaud the performance much more than if the singer is visibly nervous and unsure. Singers should clap their hands, dance about if possible and remember to smile. They should also have another song choice at hand; if the crowd likes them, they may be asked for an encore.