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I'm planning on playing a few in the future, just wanted to get some general feedback from y'all about what to expect, what are some definite do's and don'ts and things like that.

This is my first time playing stuff without a band accompanying me, so im quite nervous. But I've been pumping out music from my room for long enough, I need people to actually hear my stuff. So hopefully this gets me some notoriety.

Thanks in advance, you guys are awesome.

Back starting out I'd take any gig, even free one's. Show up early is best advice, to get on the list. If you like the open mic, maybe think about talking to manager of laundry mats, might let you play for free and will give you chance to play more of your music at a time in front of people.

one of my best buds helps run a weekly open mic night at a cool little venue. whoever's there will clap for each performance regardless of whether or not they like it. just plan on only playing like 2 or 3 songs so whoever's running the show doesn't have to cut you off & move on if it's a big list. & i agree w/ UG, get there early & on the list, or get there early & wait a few to get on the list if there's no one there yet.

A lot of open mic etiquette is just common sense and courtesy. Don't talk while others play, hang out after you play and listen, don't just bolt. Encourage another performer who seems nervous because you know you're in it together.

Leave the effects at home if they aren't truly necessary, there really isn't any "set up time" you should be able to get on the stage, smile, and play. Maybe it's just me but an open mic isn't a place for gear laden performances unless you've found some kind of musical holy land.

A part of it is also knowing your venue, is there a lot of bluzzzzzzzzzz there? If so, think about staying home and and microwaving your balls instead.

I have not gone to a lot of open mics, so I have not seen a large variety in who performs there. In my experience, it was a lot of acoustic players and blues guys. Seeing as how hard it is to get a band together, I am thinking open mics might be a good goal for me. However, as an electric guitar player, I am wondering how to go about playing without the rhythm section. I am thinking I could write some instrumental, fuzzy rock/metal on guitar but I don't really know how to pull that off without at least a drummer. What do you guys think?

Krosis wrote:I have not gone to a lot of open mics, so I have not seen a large variety in who performs there. In my experience, it was a lot of acoustic players and blues guys. Seeing as how hard it is to get a band together, I am thinking open mics might be a good goal for me. However, as an electric guitar player, I am wondering how to go about playing without the rhythm section. I am thinking I could write some instrumental, fuzzy rock/metal on guitar but I don't really know how to pull that off without at least a drummer. What do you guys think?

Get a box and stomp on it-

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3Iam7JELDM[/youtube]

or just smack your guit

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-qgum7hFXk[/youtube]

I've seen some neat sounds done with hitting the guitar in various ways into a looper and then playing the song back to that.

Krosis wrote:I have not gone to a lot of open mics, so I have not seen a large variety in who performs there. In my experience, it was a lot of acoustic players and blues guys. Seeing as how hard it is to get a band together, I am thinking open mics might be a good goal for me. However, as an electric guitar player, I am wondering how to go about playing without the rhythm section. I am thinking I could write some instrumental, fuzzy rock/metal on guitar but I don't really know how to pull that off without at least a drummer. What do you guys think?

Almost any song can sound great when it's just bare bones. It's how much heart you're putting into the performance that counts. Any demos?

You'll find most open mics performers are like the ones you've been to. Don't go into the open mic wondering if you can "pull it off". That mentality will kill you. Open mics aren't really a space for perfection. It's just a place to show what you've been working on and improve things.

I've thought about playing some ambientish droneish music. The main concern is the setup. I can't seem to downsize it enough for a small space and considering there's no actual setting up time.
I might build a small table top rig for that kind of stuff some day though. But I'd still have to carry my amp and pedalboard. So problem not entirely solved.

i've done open mics w/ electronics before, if you need to setup before hand, just ask the dude nicely if u could setup sometime beforehand off to the side, so when its your turn you're all ready to go. seemed to work for me.