[JohnnyB]

So I'm pretty much tone deaf, but living in a place where singing Karaoke is pretty socially important (Shanghai). I've been trying really hard to learn to sing, but even if I know the words my voice still just sounds terrible. I've been getting coworkers to go out with me to KTVs (karaoke bars with private rooms) to try to teach me how to sing, but considering my seeming lack of natural ability, and the difficulty of trying to do it all in a second language, progress has been extremely slow to say the least.

It's really painful for others to listen to me. The last time I was at a work function I think my peers really all left the room just to save me some face.

Of course, I know this might be tough, but I'm not the type to back down once I've started learning something, and I'm hoping that there might be someone on CP that could actually give me some basic pointers on how to develop a singing voice when nature has not provided one itself. Although I have always cringed at the thought of picking up a microphone, I'm willing to put in some time for this, and I would appreciate any advice that the font of CP knowledge could provide.

You'd really be contributing to the mental health of many a Shanghainese if you can tell me anything to make me better, or give any advice on how to make karaoke work when your voice just wont.