The quick version
List the willing singers in order. Each chooses one song for the first rotation and another for the second. Play one song per turn, move to the next singer, and finish after everyone has had both opportunities. There is no score in the core format.
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Build a queue everyone can follow
Use a karaoke player with backing tracks and visible lyrics; KaraFun is one option. Check access to the chosen songs before inviting requests. Connect a screen that everyone can read and test the speaker at conversational-room volume. A microphone is optional; place it away from the speaker to avoid feedback.
Write the willing singers' names in an order drawn at random. Give each person one place in each rotation, even if they choose to use their turn as a duet. Ask for a first song and a backup, since catalog versions and keys may differ. Check the displayed duration; a very long track occupies a longer turn.
In KaraFun's web player, find a song, add it to the queue, and reorder queued songs by dragging. Enable singer names in the queue options if useful. Use manual starts so the next track waits while people change places. Other apps may put those controls elsewhere.
Confirm two rotations before starting. Anyone may pass their turn or switch to a duet; do not move them to the front later. This turn order is a hosting choice, not a karaoke-system rule.
Sing a turn and finish the night
Check the first song
Call the first singer and show the title and version before starting. Let them decide whether to sing alone or with a willing partner. Confirm that the lyrics are visible and start the backing track.
Follow the lyrics
The singer performs through the song's end. Others may join a chorus if invited; do not take over a solo. If the wrong track starts or sound fails, stop and restart the correct track. A singer can also stop early; that uses their turn and carries no penalty.
Move through the queue
After the song, pause playback, mark the turn complete and call the next name. A duet partner still keeps their own later turn. When the first rotation ends, check second choices and repeat the same order.
Close and reset
Finish after the second rotation, including any passes. No winner or tie decision is needed. Thank the performers and clear unplayed queued requests so a future session starts fresh. If everyone wants more, agree a new full rotation before beginning it.
Keep requests and performances comfortable
Choose recognizable songs that friends actually want to sing. Let each performer hear a few unscored seconds if they are unsure of the version. A lower key or quieter guide vocal may help where the player supports it; test the control before the turn.
Keep the queue visible or read out the next two names. This avoids competing requests and gives the next singer time to get ready. Listening is participation too; do not add surprise scoring midway through an ordinary singalong.
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Ideas & Twists
Choose a variation together before you start.
Karaoke night · See main rules
Suggested house variationDuet evening
Replace individual turns with pairs chosen by mutual agreement. Each pair selects two tracks with parts they can share; alternate which partner starts each song. Run two rotations of pairs and finish when every pair has performed twice. An unpaired singer may take a solo place. Keep the evening unscored; agreeing parts changes the challenge without requiring a contest.
Karaoke night · See main rules
Suggested house variationEqual-cut scorecard
If all entrants want a contest, replace two full-song rotations with one 90-second cut per entrant, starting at each entrant's chosen point. Test the cuts first. Every other entrant privately gives one overall score from 1 to 10 for the performance; no self-votes. The host divides each total by its number of ratings and compares unrounded averages. Highest average wins; exact ties share the win. A playback failure gets a restart, not a low score. With three entrants, each receives two ratings.
About this guide
KaraFun support documents song queuing, reordering, singer names and manual starts. Turn order, two rotations, passes, duets and optional scoring are suggested house formats, not KaraFun rules. Song availability, lyrics and controls depend on the player and account used.
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