Singing tips
OPEN MIC NIGHTS: First Time Advice?
SL
Stefan Lee · Singing teacher in Garden Grove, California
Singing tips
Stefan Lee · Singing teacher in Garden Grove, California
OPEN MIC NIGHTS What to do and how to prepare.
You've been a musician for some time (whether it's a hobby or profession). An open mic night flyer catches your eye. The urge to perform your material starts to grow. You internally imagine people screaming, clapping, and coming to you for autographs. So decide, "I am going to do an open mic night." But the questions follow:
To answer your questions...
SHORT ANSWER An open mic night is an event where participants or acts come and perform their material in front of an audience at a venue. You don't have to be a pro, but it is good to practice beforehand. You generally want to scout venues within your area/ vicinity. And so what if nobody listens? You went up there and performed. You take that experience to heart and learn what to improve on.
LONG ANSWER A great start to getting used to performing live. Mind you, not all open mic nights are equal, as many will require you to purchase something to keep the venue hosting that OM. The rules are simple: prepare a song, arrive early, sign up, and perform, right? Not exactly. If you are serious about performing at an open mic night and want to make a routine of networking with other musicians, here is what you need to know.
TIPS
Relationships. Treat others the way you want to be treated. The minute you start gossiping about other artists, it immediately marks you as 'avoid at all costs.' The industry is small, but word gets around fast. Instead of being prideful, try showing interest in helping others. Many artists fail because they try to do it all on their own, wait for miracles to happen, or even show some level of entitlement. You have to understand that it's all about relationships. You, the artist, are there to help others. It's called service.
Prepare. How do we prepare for shows? Simple. Structure a simple practice schedule. Let's be real. To really make a performance stand out, think about the song you are singing. Are the lyrics family-friendly? Will this song choice hurt my reputation? What can I do to let the audience know that I am here for them, not for me? One of the best ways to prepare a song (original or cover) is to go over the lyrics. Set aside 30 minutes to an hour to practice your song choice. Warm up as always. Keep track of your progress. Practice looking at the audience instead of relying on your instrument. The goal is to go from shy to expressive. And it's easy. So I would recommend practicing in front of a mirror. It may sound redundant, but trust me. It has helped me and other artists to be prepared for anything.
Me vs. We. Whether you are participating or an audience member, show interest. Or at the very least, show manners. The participant/ act is there to perform their work. Be respectful of their time. When they perform, listen, observe, and stay seated. Put your phone down (unless you are there to record your buddy and help them with their socials). Being an artist requires a team of people you can trust. Be the artist another musician can rely on.
Check the venue. Not all open mic nights are family-friendly. Some open mic nights have acts that feature explicit content and will require participants to be 24+ or older. I know I am exaggerating, but this is true. Talk to the open mic night host. Check with them to see what the ground rules are.
Keep your ego in check. You will get kicked out if you start being rude. If the behavior continues, your reputation is ruined. And guess what else happens next: word gets around. The music industry frowns on complaining. My theory professor said this. Do you want to be part of the sandbox cool kids? Learn to play by the rules the cool kids lay out. Exhibit self-control.
Network. This is where number 3 comes in handy. Exchange social media information, pass out cards, music, and USB files to people who want to know you through your music.
Thank the host. No explanations necessary. Actually... let me elaborate on that. Your host, the venue, the crew that makes it possible... without them, you would not be able to perform your act on stage. So please, do more than say thank you. Lend a hand. Learn to converse with them before and after the show.
Introduce yourself before and after the song.
Offer to help tear down. Again, be the musician that people rely on.
If you want a variety of selections... Research. Research. Research. There are so many venues for you to choose from. And I get it. The selections can be overwhelming at times. Other days, the outcomes are not what you expected. And yeah, it can be frustrating. What if no one shows up? What if I suck at this? What if it's just a bunch of people who think they are better than me?
NOTE The truth is, no one is better than the other. Some acts can't sing, and they don't care. Some acts require being the best by taking the music seriously. If there are barely any people who show up? Know that it sometimes can happen. The turnout is often low. The traffic varies from time to time. And yeah, you will find people who can heckle you. Here is the secret. You have to build tough skin. Not everybody can make it in the industry. Half of the reason why that is true is that there are songwriters, musicians, instrumentalists, and even local acts who don't know how to emotionally regulate themselves.
Be respectful of the song limit. Some OM venues will have a 3-song limit. Others will make it very clear that each act will get one song per round. So while it is a good idea to have an arsenal, do consider how lengthy your song choices can be. Because other people want a turn on the stage. The minute you get greedy, you will not be liked. Everybody wants a fair chance, right? Consider how much time you want to use on stage singing. For instance, if there was a 3-song rule, and you spent the entire night singing the one song that goes over the restricted time limit, you just ruined the chances of an act being heard.
Are all OM Nights music-centered? No. And they don't always have to be. Some are centered around comedy. Other venues that host open mic nights even have poetry readings. Again, check the venue. And as always, see if your material is appropriate. OM venues like Bogarts are family-oriented. Which means any explicit material featured in the song will irk families. It does not matter if you are the next Jeff Foxworthy, if you are as funny as Steve Harvey, or even as crass as the upcoming Comedy Central comic; check the venue.
I hope this blog entry helps you. Remember this. The music industry frowns on gossip and complaining, so come in with a sense of humility.
Keep practicing. Be reliable. Stay humble.
About the teacher
Stefan Lee
Singing teacher in Garden Grove, California
Helping aspiring vocalists to further hone their craft for a professional setting.
Stefan's experience in the music industry has helped him to acquire the knowledge necessary to teach. Debuting independently in 2013, he began performing at open mic nights in Orange County. From there, he continued to work on his songwriting skills, eventually entering the R&B/ Soul world. From 2023-2025, he has performed with the OCC Choir and Choral Pops and the Long Beach Klezmer Band for the 2025 Jewish Food Festival. In 2026, Stefan performed live at the Night Owl as a featured artist. In addition to songwriting and live performances, Stefan has also recorded and released music independently. He is currently performing under the artist name, ‘Braxton Davis.’ When he is not teaching, Stefan works as an illustrator, enjoys lifting and athletics such as archery, surfing, swimming and strongman competitions.
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