The Open Mic Network

The Benefits Of An Open Mic

Before I started hosting an Open Mic of my own I was under the impression that they were only for people who were just starting out.

However, I discovered that there are many benefits in participating. Benefits such as:

For everyone:
1. Open Mics are a great networking opportunity for songwriters, performers and musicians of all experience and skill levels. Everyone gets together in one place with music as a common bond and allows magic to happen

2. It is also a great night out in a relaxed, performer-friendly environment listening to music performed by anyone and everyone. A mixed bag of good and improving performances. You can feel comfort zones being shattered.

For songwriters:
3. You can road-test new material as it is being written (even works in progress if you are daring) and get great feedback from your peers.

4. As other singer/songwriters are present you can easily find a songwriting partner.

For performers:
5. It is an opportunity to perform in front of an attentive, respectful crowd in which you can promote other shows, get names on a mailing list and sell product. If you have a band that you are starting and you want to get the vibe happening before your first gig, open mics are perfect for this.

6. If you are looking for other band members networking at an open mic should be one of the thing on your to do list.

7. Most open mic venues have music on other nights so consider your performance an audition for a gig on another night (to date, three performers at the Open Mic @ The Dan have scored paying gigs on other nights there).

At the end of the day, you only get out of an Open Mic what you put into it. Just like in life.

Corey

Tags: music, open mic, songwriting