[scottrosemeyer]

I had just got done playing an open mic and it was one of those times where I couldn't find myself when playing my music. Somebody asked to play slow blues with me and I was reluctant, but I said yes. So my last song up there was with a slow blues with some old guy on harmonica. Anyway, I have had some shows and open mics, some really good and some really bad. I know there's gotta be other musicians on here, I wanna here some of your own personal good or terrible open mics or shows.

[creator]

When I was a freshman in college, I played at a few of the local coffee shop open mics. On a particularly crowded night, I had a nice set list planned with some Beatles, Kooks, and a few originals. My final song was an original I penned in high school for a girl. It wasn't a very good song, but it was probably the most personal song I have ever written. About thirty seconds in, I froze. I was embarrassed by the cliche lyrics and my faltering voice. I couldn't continue, so I apologized to the crowd and walked off.

I haven't played an open mic since that night and I don't think I've written any new material either.

[Romanelli]

I used to play 3-4 open mics a month. They can be terrible things, but they do serve a purpose for you if you are getting your music thing started. If you're a veteran, don't waste your time with it. But if you're new to the stage, it's a great way to get going.

There are a few really positive things that open mics can do for you. Number one is to improve your stage presence. If you're new to playing live, or new to being the front person, open mics can give you a low pressure way to get that experience in small chunks of time.

Be on the lookout for like minded people that you might want to work with in the future. Network and gain contacts.

Talk to the venue's booking person before you go up and ask him what it takes to get a gig there. Make sure he knows when you are up to the stage...you may have just turned your 15 minutes of stage time into an audition.

Don't play cover songs. Ever. The idea of an open mic night is to showcase singer/songwriters. You'll likely piss off the other performers, and the host. Play your own material. Don't waste anyone's time...especially your own. Use the time you get to see what original material works and what doesn't. Save the covers for karaoke, or your own shows.

Never take requests. This is your time to be working out your kinks, and if the audience appreciates it, great. If they want to request a song, they can go to another bar and play the jukebox. Not on your time.

Don't share the stage unless it's with someone you've made an arrangement with ahead of time. Anyone asking to come up on stage with you during your set is infringing on your time, and it's not fair to you. And it will most likely make you look bad.

Play your 15 minutes like it's Madison Square Garden.

Once you are playing paid gigs, stop playing open mics. You won't need them any more. If you want to do one every once in a while to promote an important show, fine...but don't become one of the regulars. Why should they pay to see you when they know they can get 15 minutes of you for free on Monday nights?

NEVER play shows for free. Favors and open mics are the exception...but don't do the latter frequently or you, again, become an act people know they can get for free.
_________________
I'm leaning on the threshold
Of her mystery
And crashing through the walls
Of dying history

[Norman Bates]

I once won an open mic poetry contest in a bar, just reading one of my pupil's term report.


hahahaha true story

[monosyllables]

Man isn't that all a little cynical, Romanelli?
I mean, generally speaking it's good advice, but if you just really like making music for people, is there anything THAT bad about doing covers or playing for free or just jamming with someone else for a while?

[Romanelli]

[monosyllables]

I mean maybe my neighborhood bar is idiosyncratic, but they do an open mic every Thursday, and it's usually a pretty eclectic mix of instrumentalists getting up on stage together, lots of covers, though I guess that may just be what happens when you get people on stage that don't frequently play together, and there's a lot of people in fairly well-regarded local acts who'll get up on stage for a little. My friend Drew says it keeps his drumming skillz tight.