Open Mic Tips

• Get there early and sign up. If you are playing for yourself, or performing original songs, play your best song first! You will usually only have ONE CHANCE so make it your best. If you are a total smash, you'll get to do another song.
• If you require accompaniment, have your lead sheets with you that are in YOUR key and have explicit directions as to intro's, tempo, key changes, endings, etc. (DO NOT SHOW UP WITH SHEET MUSIC unless it's in your key, and even then, you must remember that the accompanist does not come with a page-turner. A lead sheet on one page is the way to go.)
• If it's a Jazz venue, remember to LET THE BAND have their choruses. This requires that you know when to step aside and let the piano player, the bass player and horn player do their thing before you come back in and close out the song.
• Thank the owner of the establishment for letting you perform and follow up with him/her the next day to "invite" yourself back. Repeated showcases give you visibility and can grow your audience. If you get enough audience members to like you, you can get your own night at the establishment where you can sing for an hour or two.




• Check your newspaper for the Open-Mikes in your area and go to all of them. The more you play out, the more you will learn and grow as an artist.