THE party season is fast approaching. But how can you become the life and soul, the Sultan of Socialising?

One word. Karaoke.

Everyone loves a smashing serenade sung by a super singer. What is Band Aid 20 other than a celebrity singalong?

True, it's not easy to get started if you have never crooned in public before. So, at great expense, we have brought in York's top man to offer advice.

A few weeks back, Kentaro Saito was crowned master of the microphone at a contest in the Victoria Vaults, Nunnery Lane, York.

The second year York University student is now known around the city as Karaoke Ken. He has recently taken delivery of a T-shirt with the word "Winner!" on the front and the legend: "Karaoke Ken: Winner, Victoria Vaults, Karaoke Challenge 2004" on the back.

Ken was ten years old when he first crooned a karaoke tune in his home city of Tokyo. In York he sings regularly on Tuesday nights at the Vicky Vaults and at the Clarence Gardens Hotel, Haxby Road, on Sunday nights.

He offers these easy-to-follow rules that can make even those with a vocal likeness to Ronan Keating sound good...

Rule one: sing songs you like. This does not have to be restrictive: Ken plans to sing 100 different songs while he is in York. He has done 45 so far. "At first I sang punk. But I also sing fun party songs, like Mambo No 5, Cotton Eye Joe and Hey Baby."

Rule two: choose a song that fits your voice. "The first step is to sing along to CDs while you listen at home. You might find one is too high, another too low."

Rule three: go to karaoke sessions with friends and listen carefully. "You might find some tips from what they sing".

Rule four: don't rely on pre-performance beers to calm those nerves. "If I really want to sing well, I shouldn't drink. If I drink I can't make the high notes," says Ken. To overcome stage fright, "learn all the lyrics by heart. Singing karaoke you have to always wait for the display. If you know all the lyrics you can concentrate on the sound."

Rule five: make sure no one else sings "your" song by getting there early and asking the DJ to put you on first.

Rule six: "If you really, really want to be a karaoke superstar, use the instrumental break. I always mimic playing the guitar. Don't just stand there, do something: people will cheer."

Rule seven: find a suitable place to practise. "For me it's the shower," Ken exclusively revealed to the Diary. "The bathroom gives you an echo. It's the best place in the house."

There. Couldn't be easier. Give it some welly and you could become York's Christmas karaoke king or queen.

Updated: 11:17 Thursday, November 18, 2004