How to have a successful open mic experience

In honor of open mic month, here are a few tips based on my experiences with various open mic nights. (note: these tips are not based on any particular open mics, but represent some general guidelines applicable to most open mics).

1. Come early, and find out where the sign-up sheet is right away. This isn't done so that you can hog your favorite time slot, but so that you can be sure that there is room/time for you to play and so that whoever is hosting will have a sense at the beginning of the night of how many songs each artist should play. When a bunch of people show up late, it can throw off the flow of performances and become an awkward situation for the host and performers who are trying to accommodate newcomers.

2. Plan your set ahead of time. You only have, at most, three songs, so make the most of it. Pick your best songs or the songs that you most want feedback on and plan the songs beforehand so that you don't spend valuable time on stage figuring out your set list.

3. On a related note, while some open mics only have a few attendees or extra time and may, therefore, warrant some on-stage chatter, for the most part, it's best to save any talking for when you play your own show. There's not enough time to tell the story of every song at an open mic. Keeping your introductions very brief is the polite way to allow everyone time to perform.

Adam and I at one of our favorite, recently cancelled open mics at Lake Highlands Church

4. Tune your instrument beforehand and be ready to play when it's your turn. A good host will usually make sure that whoever's next knows when it's their turn with enough time to prepare, but, just in case, it's a good idea to pay attention to the name of the person before you on the sign-up sheet and to listen to the names of the people as they're introduced. I'm horrible at forgetting names and absentmindedly missing them when they're announced, so I have to work a little harder at this one.

5. Buy coffee/tea/food/drinks at the venue where the open mic is held. These events are usually free. The venue has to make money somehow. And tip your barista.

6. Stay to hear everyone if you possibly can. Sure, life sometimes gets in the way of this, so if it does, it's fine to apologize for not staying, but, if at all possible, stay for the whole night. No one likes playing to an empty room. Plus, you're bound to hear lots of incredible talent. I am continually blown away by the talent levels right here in Dallas whenever I come to an open mic.

7. Have fun! Relax! Enjoy meeting other people who love music. This isn't Carnegie Hall, so don't worry about being perfect -- just enjoy yourself and the experience of making and listening to music. Open mics are for beginners and experts alike, and everyone in the room has been a beginner at some point, so don't worry if you make a mistake or feel intimidated -- just have fun. And on that note,  if any of you readers are closet musicians who secretly want to play in front of people, I hope that you will start with your local open mic night.