How to be successful at open mics

Have you gathered the courage to perform your own music in front of an audience full of strangers yet?

Ever wondered what would happened if you played that song you wrote that you’re so proud of, only to realize that a room full of unknown faces thinks it’s just-meh?

Welcome to the world of open mics.

It’s an occasion to try out new material, experiment and find what works for you when you’re performing on stage.

For beginner musicians, it’s an excellent way to gain comfort when performing in a room full of people. Though it might seem daunting at first, the experience will more than not prove to be beneficial in honing your performance skills.

That said, that’s the gist of open mic-but there are other things you should keep in mind when attending.

Consider these tips that can be conducive to gigs outside of open mic nights.

Especially if you’re not a seasoned live performer yet-you want to rehearse your set as much as you can. Open mic is generally catered to musicians, so think that the people watching you on stage know a thing or two about music. The more prepared you are, the more the audience will identify you as a serious performer.

I find this particularly annoying (I’m sure other musicians do too), when performers go on longwinded stories on how their original song came to be, or make unnecessary remarks such as “ I haven’t played this one in a while” or “I’ll try not to mess up the lyrics”.

Obviously this doesn’t mean you should not talk while you’re up on stage, but make it brief and then move on with the song. Don’t bore us, get to the chorus!

This is a detail that I find is often overlooked, though it is crucial as it can make or break your performance. Think of it this way: no one wants to hear the same three songs in a row.

Avoid being a one-trick pony by playing songs on the same key or rhythm back to back, as it can get heavy for listeners and next thing you know, everyone is walking outside for a smoke break in order to avoid your set.

In my last musical project, an acoustic folk duo, I met my future bandmate outside the venue after she watched me perform on stage.

As much as open mic nights can be the perfect setting to showcase you skills, it is a great way to network and meet other musicians. Introduce yourself to other performers; ask about their current projects and who knows? A potential collaboration can come out of a casual conversation.

While open mic night may be perceived as a competitive milieu, it’s more of a support system for likeminded people. If you’re an aspiring musician who wants to put themselves out there, chances are you’re not the only one in the room doing that. That’s why it’s a good idea to talk to other musicians about their set.

Pay attention to what they’re doing and find something particular about them. Try to strike up a conversation based on their “fingerpicking technique” or “vibrato”. Affinity goes a long way and this is true in the world of musicians.

On stage collaboration is a great way to gather open mic-ers and establish camaraderie. If you feel comfortable playing with other musicians off the cuff, consider sprucing up your set by inviting other musicians to perform. Adding additional layers adds more colour to your set and of course, the audience will enjoy it!

Conversely, don’t be that person who always sings along to what is being performed on stage. You recognize the song being played? Great! No one cares.

Unless you’ve been asked by the performer to jump in the song-then shut up and just listen. There was a girl who did that at a spot I use to frequent back home and she quickly got on everyone’s bad side. Don’t be that person.

Open mic should be a continuous process. Generally speaking, you won’t rock the room in one performance. Be consistent and try to attend as often as you can. As a frequent performer, people will remember your name and associate you with being a serious musician.

Try your best but also don’t take yourself too seriously; chances are you’re all in the same stage in your musical career.

Be professional, be cool and be the helping hand every musician wishes they could have.

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