Songwriting Zen

The 10 + 1 Commandments Of Open Mics – An Open Letter To All Performers

I have been running an open mic at the Daniel O’Connell Hotel for over 18 months now and the experience for me has been a wonderful and very educational one.

Wonderful, because I get to watch and listen to a whole range of songwriters and performers at varying levels of experience and confidence.

Plus, at the same time I’m helping to develop a growing community of folks who love live music and songwriting so much that we want to support it with much passion and gusto.

Educational, because for me, it’s been a first-hand look at human behaviour in groups and stressful situations.

Facinating!

The Open Mic @ The Dan is my first open mic as a host. I had no idea how to run one before that. I’ve participated in a few but let me tell you, running an open mic is a very, very different kettle of fish.

I’ve essentially been making it up as I went along.

One of the things I’m learning very fast with running the Open Mic @ The Dan is how to manage groups. In my day gigs of old, I’ve been in sales, marketing and call centre management positions so the concept of managment is not a foreign concept.

However, managing groups of musicians of different skill and confidence levels is.

IMHO, the role of an an open mic host is to ensure that the open mic runs as smoothly and efficiantly as possible without compromising the performer-friendly space and support mechanisms created for the performers.

Sometimes this is easy to do and sometimes it’s not.

In light of this, I’ve devised a list of things performers can do to make any open mic experience a positive, inclusive and enjoyable one for all.

The following commandments are sometimes sharp and direct to the point but I think by the end of it you’ll understand where I (as an open mic host) am coming from.

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The 10 + 1 Commandments Of Open Mic Performance
By Corey Stewart
www.songwritingzen.com

1. Thou shalt be on time
If an open mic starts at say, 8pm then turn up a little earlier to make sure your name is down on the running sheet.

If you’re doing something else beforehand and you need to turn up later that’s fine, just don’t complain if your time to perform is later than you anticipated.

2. Thou shalt make yourself known to the host
If you want to put your name down on the running sheet, don’t expect the host to come to you. Go to the host. Make yourself known and make the hosts job a little easier.

3. Thou shalt be prepared before performance
Knowing where you are on the running sheet is very, very important. Nothing holds up an open mic more than performers who tune up their guitars and prepare their music at the very last minute.

A successful open mic is determined by how short the changeover time between performers is.

Here are some other ways that performer changeover times can be minimized:

• Be ready before you go on
• Be close by when your turn comes around
• Know what songs you’re doing beforehand

4. Thou shalt not get drunk before performing
I know it can be very nerve racking waiting to go on stage and having a drink to get the dutch courage going is fair enough but, try not to drink too much. You really don’t sound good drunk, no matter what you think.

Trust me on this one

5. Thou shalt not overstay ones welcome
Open Mic’s are designed to showcase multiple performers not just you.

If the requirement is a maximum of three songs, do your three songs but balance that with the fact that there’s other performers wanting a go as well.

Keep unnecessary chat to a minimum and don’t do the extended version of “Stairway To Heaven”, “American Pie” and your favourite folk tune with 24 verses in it all in the same sitting.

As a host I go by this simple equation: 3 x songs + chat = 15 minutes.

Any longer than that your overstaying your welcome.

Oh, and BTW. When you finished your songs don’t ask the audience whether they want to hear more. That’s the hosts job (time permitting).

6. Thou shalt invite others to play but only up to a point.
In my own experience I’ve noticed a tactic that some performers use to overtly maximise their time on stage. Invite another guitarist up and give them extended solos to stretch out the songs.

Don’t do it. I’m onto you

7. Thou shalt adapt ones performance to the open mic.
Some open mics cater for bands however, (in my open mic performing experience) most open mics operate in venues with limited stage space and because of this, are designed for solos or duo performers only.

If you play in a band and you want to perform at an open mic that operates in this way, do your homework and learn your songs either solo or with one extra person.

So what if the only way you’ve done your songs in the past is with a band. Get over it!

8. Thou shalt obey host at all times
I think this point is self explanatory. If a host cuts the maximum amount of songs from 3 to 2 halfway through the night and you havn’t performed as yet, don’t be offended. It’s no reflection on you. They’re just trying to fit everyone in on a very busy night.

Always remember that if the night is quiet an extra song or two may be added to a performers slot without notice, and who gets those? The performers who don’t complain when times are busy.

9. Thou shalt be encouraging and supportive of other performers.
For some people the possibility of playing in front of an audience at an open mic is much scarier than death itself. It maybe thier first time ever on a stage.

Therefore, it’s so important that the environment created at an open mic is a supporting, inclusive, performer-friendly, positive and encouraging one.

The host, sound engineer and venue staff can only do so much in this department. The main responsibility rests with the other performers. Ways in which this optimum open mic environment can maintained are:

• Clap when a song is completed. At least make some acknowledgement.
• Give credit where credit is due.
• If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything.
• If you really like the performance, say so
• Stay for as long as you can after you’ve finished your performance.

10. Thou shalt be courteous to open mic and venue staff
Be nice to the host and you’ll get some breaks
Be nice to the sound engineer and your sound won’t suck
Be nice to the venue staff and you’ll be served quicker

End of story!

11. Thou shalt have FUN!
Leave your troubles at the door and have the time of your life.

Fellow open mic’ers become friends in a very short space of time. If something is on your mind either chat to your new found friends or talk to the host.

Remember, we’re all in this together. Let’s make it easy on everyone and have the best possible open mic experience ALL THE TIME!

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I really, truly believe that the humble open mic is the cornerstone of grass roots musical development in any community especially when it comes to showcasing songwriters. It’s up to everyone to ensure that this is the case.

I’d also love to know what positive and negative open mic experiences you’ve had and why. Any other feedback is most welcome too.

Until next time, happy writing,

Corey Stewart
Singer/Songwriter/Musician

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