Open Mic

So if you are like me and find you have a bit of a gap between gigs why not hit an open mic night at the local pub.
open mic night can be a lot of fun to go to if you head out with the right attitude. Its not a big gig or a paying one, but sometimes it can lead to other things. there is always a lot of different music played at open mic nights and it can be very interesting to see what people respond to. I find its a great way to test drive a new song that I have written or practice a good cover song.
A lot of time you don't see massive crowds at the smaller places where an open mic night is. They usually fall on off nights when the venue is a bit slow. This is fine its a good place to get practice and help you feel a bit more comfortable on stage. you usually meet other musicians and can get some good feedback from them. Often times you can network and find different opportunities like and opening spot for this band or if the venue has an opening spot available. You never know.

When you do go play at an open mic night it helps expose different people to some of your own original material.
A few basic rules usually apply: wait your turn as there maybe other ahead of you. Be courteous to the other musicians. Be positive any way you can, some of the others participating maybe nervous or just starting out like you once did. Don't over stay your turn, there may be many waiting to get up and play there turn. Always thank everyone after you play before you get off stage. Smile and look like your having fun because you will get it back in turn.

I always look at an open mic as a chance to network with other artists, a testing ground for a new song, away to expose possible new fans to your music, and it is always good experience to play live no matter what.

So, take the chance and hit an open mic or two, smile and have fun.