Some Things to Keep in Mind When Doing Open Mics...

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Robertt8

Robertt8

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Some Things to Keep in Mind When Doing Open Mics...

I've only performed a couple times now, but I'm learning some good stuff here to pass on to people who are thinking of doing it (in no particular order)...


BRING UP A DRINK. I was in the middle of a 3 song set and my mouth got crazy dry. So I stood up there staring at my beer on the table about 15 feet away while I struggled to hit the high notes on a slow song...torture for me, but it probably wasn't easy to listen too either.

BRING AN ACOUSTIC/ELECTRIC...or just an electric. The first time I did an open mic, I brought a $1600 Martin, and it needed to be miced, which sounded like ass. It was either too boomy, or WAY too soft with no bass...all treble...basically it sucked. This last time I brought up an acoustic/electric and they had no problem getting the sound right.

LEARN YOUR SONGS. This may be obvious, but I see people get up there (typically when you get more than one person playing together) and it becomes obvious really fast that they're on different pages.

TRY AND GET COMFORTABLE QUICK: Because of nervousness, you're probably going to end up playing too fast, or too slow. Take your time getting the speed down with a measure or two of muted strumming if that helps, cuz you don't want to have to stop the song and start over, or end up playing your ballad like a Megadeath tune...unless that's what you're trying to do.

TALK TO THE CROWD BETWEEN SONGS. (This help me at least) This kind of helps you become more "friendly" to the crowd, and keeps you from looking like a robot. Describe something about the song...whatever...

KEEP PLAYING IF POSSIBLE WHEN YOU FUCK UP. Nothing points out a mistake more than you pointing it out to everyone after you make it. If possible, keep on playing. A witty comment might help if it's a crash and burn mistake...then carry on. If all else fails, unplug your guitar and run for the exit.

YOU WILL FUCK UP. Until you get used to people staring at you, your mind will easily wander off quickly and you find yourself drawing a blank on tunes you've played 6 million times. Refer to previous point.

MAKE A CHEAT SHEET. Depending on where you play and what they let you do, bring up a little cheat sheet to give you some lyrics, chords...whatever. You can discretely tape it to the side of you guitar or just plop it down somewhere if no one gives a crap. This may help when you find yourself drawing a blank as to how the 3 verse starts. Typically 2 or three words should be enough to jog the old memory back.

DON'T GET TOO DRUNK BEFORE YOU GO UP. I did this waiting for my turn the first time and definitely made more mistakes. But hell if you play better drunk, by all means...

CLAP WHEN OTHERS FINISH PLAYING. If you want them to clap for you, clap for them no matter how bad it is.

OH, TUNING IS GOOD TOO. Tuning your guitar is not a bad idea, especially when playing with other people. I saw this group of 3 guys get up and play a while back, and they must have all been tone def, because none of them were in tune. And to make matters worse, they played like 3 ten minute songs. Brutal.

OVATION'S ROUND BACK SLIDES OFF YOUR KNEE IF SITTING. This probably applies to like nobody, but I was sitting on a stool at the last one and didn't bring a strap...the fuckin' thing was sliding off my knee the whole time. I was struggling to keep it up. It's not what I needed right then.


I'm sure I'm missing some good advice so feel free to add...
 
I went to an open mic twice. The first time was wonderfull. Everyone there was a musician that could sing and play in tune. The second time was hideous. It was almost agony to sit there and listen to that one horrible singer, singing as loud as he could for 3 hours.
 
tjohnston said:
The second time was hideous. It was almost agony to sit there and listen to that one horrible singer, singing as loud as he could for 3 hours.
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So why did you stick around for 3 hours? :D
 
If you're going to throw in a cover song - play something unique, or else you better at least put a totally new spin on it.

________________
Post indie electronic
Meriphew
www.meriphew.com
 
Robertt8 said:

OVATION'S ROUND BACK SLIDES OFF YOUR KNEE IF SITTING. This probably applies to like nobody, but I was sitting on a stool at the last one and didn't bring a strap...the fuckin' thing was sliding off my knee the whole time. I was struggling to keep it up. It's not what I needed right then.
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So very true!!! I used my dads Ovation at my first open mic!!! What a friggin horror!

I need to add that Beer and alcohol is your biggest enemy when it comes to your voice. Your worst enemy when comes to hitting your notes is dehydration! Drink like 3 pints of water throughout the entire day to keep hydrated....before you go up drink water with no ice (believe it or not, ice will dehydrate you too). Room temp water is the best. Also, blow your nose and clear out your troat with light coughing...not that hocking thing you guys do...you can actually mess up your throat that way. Swallow before belting out your first verse!!! You can actually choke on your own spit and no body wants to come up after you and sing on a mic you just spit all over.
 
Concentrate on open mics that have audiences.

I've been to open mics that are GREAT exposure opportunities. Best I've seen is at The Canvas Gallery in San Francisco. Anyone in that area should check it out. The people are great there, and regular Joes actually go to WATCH THE ACTS! It's a great way to get exposure and also a nice way to practice being in front of an audience without the pressure of your being the "whole show."

I've also been to open mics where NO ONE watches. It's just a group of musicians (or wannabees like the ones Tjohnson appears to have seen) "waiting their turn" for stagetime. They talk, smoke, and generally ignore the stage until their name is called. It's very distracting and disappointing and you're better off busking. I won't mention any names, but the worst of these I've seen was also in San Fran.
 
If you have a CD, plug it.

the more you ask, the more you sell.
 
Anyone here doing open-mics in Houston?

I know of enough different places here that I could go Sunday through Thursday if I had the energy... Always looking for new places and cool folks. ;)

-John
 
ChristopherM: come on, you can tell me which open mic's in San Francisco your talking about. I've been to Canvas once on a Friday night to check out a band...I can see that being a good place to do an open mic. There's a lot of room and every one's just kind of haning out..not sure what night they do it though, I'll have to check it out. have you done any OM's in SF?
 
Robertt8 said:
ChristopherM: come on, you can tell me which open mic's in San Francisco your talking about. I've been to Canvas once on a Friday night to check out a band...I can see that being a good place to do an open mic. There's a lot of room and every one's just kind of haning out..not sure what night they do it though, I'll have to check it out. have you done any OM's in SF?
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I've done a few open mics in San Fran. I don't think it'd be very nice/polite to point out the one that sucked, but I will tell you the good ones. Hotel Utah has one on Monday nights that is pretty nice. Starry Plough does one on Tuesdays that usually pretty good. Canvas Cafe does thiers on Wednesday nights. Those book up really fast, so you have to get there early. The acts are almost always good and there is a good mix of people at both places.

I haven't played SF in four months since I'm in Albuquerque now (day-job related). I'm looking to get back into California, but not sure it it'll be SF.

Oh, and I've heard good things about the open mic at Sacred Grounds on Thursdays, but never have never played or watched it.
 
As a gigging musician, I've worked with many bands that have "hosted" open mic nights (it can be a good way for the band to pull in people on "off nights").

Accordingly, I have "backed-up" numerous open mic perfromers. I have observed with various levels of interest (and sometimes complete dis-interest), as people went after that moment in the spot light.

Here are my observations/suggestions:

1) Understand you strong points and weak points and work within them. Don't fool yourself into thinking you're better than you are (there is always, always someone better)

2) Know your material well enough that you can perform with some degree of confidence. Being nervous is one thing (even long time players can get a case of nerves before a gig) but sitting on stage afraid out of your wits is painful for you and for the audiance

3) Don't overstay your welcome!! Unless asked for more, one or two songs are all you should expect.

4) Respect the equipment. The mic, the PA, etc. belongs to someone (a musician or a club) who use it to generate income - don't do anything to damage it. Oh yeah, and clean up after yourself. If you bring a drink up or a cheat sheet, remove them when your done.

5) Look at the audiance, perhap engage the audiance in some polite chat - you are there to perform for an audiance (aren't you?)

6) Have fun, don't take it too serious. It's just an open mic jam, not brain surgery.

I'm sure I could go on and on, but these are the main point I can think of.
 
OH YEAH---

Look at the soundman for the "high sign" before unplugging your electric-acoustic guitar. You'll gain respect for not sending a bunch of loud "unplugging" noises through the system!
 
LMAO

ChristopherM said:
OH YEAH---

Look at the soundman for the "high sign" before unplugging your electric-acoustic guitar. You'll gain respect for not sending a bunch of loud "unplugging" noises through the system!
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Uh, I kinda did that last open mic....but the guy was cool about it. I know, I have never done that before, but just wasn't thinking straight that night.
 
Think 'image'

Guys - check your zipper before you go on ( Hint: it should be done up!)

Think about what you're wearing/how you look.
Remeber, people make judgements about you based on looks which may lead to them taking your music more or less seriously as a result.
 
If you show up at 8pm and there is already 20 people on the list, it will be *way* past your bedtime before you get your turn--and you will be playing to an empty house.

-John
 
kurfu said:
If you show up at 8pm and there is already 20 people on the list, it will be *way* past your bedtime before you get your turn--and you will be playing to an empty house.

-John
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If you go on early, order a drink, stick around, and watch the other performers. It all promotes the open mic's success. Leaving right after you play is rude to the other players, rude to the open mic host (the success on his open mic relies on the crowd drawn), and just plain poor business.
 
I agree with you, but it's been my experience that at least half of the players leave very soon after they play.

After I play, I'll hang around until about midnight--then It's time for bed regardless of who's on stage. ;)
 
I love a well-run jam. The thrill for me is getting up with folks you've never played with and someone calls a song you've never played and all you have to work from is "medium shuffle in B, short 4, come in from the 5, watch for stops."

Stick with the style. If it's a blues jam, play blues! I've been to a few where someone wants to get his buddies up and play rock or country.
 
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