Open Mic

Venues that offer open mic nights are great. That is, as long as the right elements are there. I’ve met some wonderful people at open mic's and learned a lot from networking with other musicians. For those of us who are really into music, it’s a good way to have some kind of social life without having to join organizations.

Here are some simple suggestions that I’ve found makes the event work best. You can use them to set up your own open mic night. It is a great way to network with other musicians, share musical ideas and learn new styles. In our current climate of social apprehension, where so many people suffer tension and anxiety, we need secular avenues where people can come together and experience live music. Open mic's provide that kind of opportunity so I think business owners should try to accommodate them. Musicians will surely come, they’ll invite their friends and family to eat and drink and listen to music.

Be sure to check out our open mic at LaFonda’s Restaurant on Airline Hwy in Baton Rouge each Wednesday from 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm.

1. Have open mic’s no more than once a week, and always schedule them consistently on the same night.

2. If at a restaurant, try to designate a specific room just for the open mic, so that people who are not interested can opt out.

3. Turn the televisions off. The worst open mic’s I’ve played always have a football game going on. You’ll have two dozen enthusiastic fans screaming at the TV while the guy on stage is trying to sing his best love song. It doesn’t work. Let the football fans have their own night and let the musicians and listeners have theirs.

4. Have a sign up sheet. Someone has to run the event and keep tract of how long each person can play. Twenty minutes is the max, less if there are lots of people waiting to play. There’s always going to be someone who wants to hog the mic, so the coordinator has to enforce the time limit and keep it fair for everyone.

5. Don’t talk too much. Don’t go on and on about what the song means to you, how you wrote it and what it’s about, blah, blah, blah. Sure you can mention the title and say a little something. But for the most part, people in the audience aren’t interested in all that. They will usually be talking to each other at their table, so just shut up and sing!

6. Be sure to practice what you’re going to play before you go. It is awkward when someone plays a song they’ve forgotten the chords or the words. Do yourself a favor and put your best foot forward. Practice what you want to play.