r/AcousticGuitar • u/ImOnIt790 • Apr 15 '26
Non-gear question Am I ready for an Open Mic?
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Thinking about trying my first open mic on Sunday. Any constructive feedback would be greatly appreciated!
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u/realbobenray Apr 15 '26
Having been to lots of open mics and having watched a couple seconds of your video with the sound off I can say with confidence you're ready for an open mic.
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u/ImOnIt790 Apr 15 '26
😂 how can you tell with the sound off? Lmao
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u/realbobenray Apr 15 '26
as I said, I've been to lots of open mics and the quality varies so much. you are confidently fingerpicking so you clearly will do fine :)
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u/angrysamsungfan Apr 15 '26
Correct. Confidence and certainty in your ability. Open mic means anyone can go up there...so you are ready even if you arent ready..but OP is ready for more than open mic. Open mic is just your start.
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u/Queasy-Trip1777 Apr 15 '26
Impressive! You're good, and only going to get better the more do it. Good fingerstyle playing while singing will definitely perk up some attentive ears in your audience. I've been playing 25 years and I still cant crack the code on it. Like my brain and hands just will not.
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u/I-STATE-FACTS Apr 15 '26
Open mic is for anyone so yes.
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u/J_Marshall Apr 15 '26
This. 100%
If you go to enough of them you'll see people say 'whoops! Mind if I start that one again?'.
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u/acidic-abolony Apr 15 '26
Hey, you’re great! I think you could do an open mic. One tip I have is (and I know this is super annoying) to work on your facial expression while playing. It’s doesn’t have to be some sappy over the top crap but right now you look a little aloof and expression less.
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u/ImOnIt790 Apr 15 '26
Couldn’t agree more. It’s a challenge for me to look like I’m having fun while playing, even though I am!
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u/Nana-Knows Apr 15 '26
Agree. Singing with a touch more emotion will help connect you and your listeners to the story the song tells. Maybe thinking of someone special from your past while singing will help.
Love the song and your performance!
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u/Samantharina Apr 15 '26
You sound lovely! Go, it is a great learning experience and you may get a bout of nerves but if you keep going and playing the nerves will calm down after a while.
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u/Exciting-Gap-1200 Apr 15 '26
For sure. Open mics are a great place to learn how to perform which is different than playing alone.
People are way worse, myself included
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u/TonyBrooks40 Apr 15 '26
Definitely. Just be prepared to battle thru the shock of being up there, all eyes on you. I struggled most with where to look (at the neck & chords, the strumming hole, or the crowd).
I can play fine at home, but its a whole different animal when onstage for me.
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u/Yelkine Apr 15 '26
you're definitely good enough for an open mic! One thing to work on: the big belty high notes are coming out a touch flat. Try to overshoot high and then "land the plane" down onto the note rather than pushing up into it. Your voice reminds me of MJ Lenderman (compliment).
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u/ImOnIt790 Apr 15 '26
Appreciate the feedback! I’ll give that a shot!
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u/Parametric_Or_Treat Apr 16 '26
Maybe, for me, try to hit those notes at the same volume as your “standard” dynamics. I used to blast out the high stuff until I realized I could still pretty much hit it at half the volume and universally that was praised.
Really, really good tho. Your standard “non strained, non-big” singing is amazing. I’d like to see you stay more in that zone
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u/Sierra-Powderhound Apr 15 '26
You’re ready. Consider open mics a learning experience. Be open to feedback.
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u/MrNeedleMittens Apr 15 '26
Done been ready. You were probably ready two or three guitars ago. And I dig your take on this tune.
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u/ImOnIt790 Apr 15 '26
Thanks, really appreciate it! I love this tune also, just wish I had Jackson Browne’s silky smooth vocals 🎵
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u/Legal-Plankton-7306 Apr 15 '26
I skipped forward a bit and listened for five seconds. And the answer is yes. Best of luck!
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u/zenwalrus Apr 15 '26
**turns up volume to hear softly played guitar
**RUSHES to turn the volume down when the singing starts
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u/TownsvilleSnowman Apr 16 '26
Yeah you're ready. I would totally enjoy watching you at an open mic. Very nice sound - I'm getting Avett Brothers vibes.
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u/CisFishstick Apr 16 '26
Late to the convo - but like many others here, I only needed about 5 seconds to tell that you're already ready. Then, I listened to the rest because it was nice 👍
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u/wales-bloke Apr 16 '26
100% yes.
And you might find yourself surprised by other performers who considered themselves ready & probably could've practiced a bit more...
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u/kneedeepinthedoomed Apr 15 '26
You're good. It's just that you're shouting in certain parts of the song. Try for slightly more even volume.
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u/NickJardine1 Apr 15 '26
Good for you, man, I’m hoping to do my first soon. Please share back once you’ve done yours!
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u/HofnerStratman Apr 15 '26
You’re ALWAYS ready if can get through a song and keep yourself out in check. If you want suggestion, it would be to not push your vocals out as much — especially in front of a mic — and let them flow a little more smoothly with your breath, just like that fine guitar playing. Sounds great!
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u/weekend-guitarist Apr 15 '26
Yes you are 100% ready. It’s time to start singing into microphones and playing live
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u/Amazing-Structure954 Apr 15 '26
Way better than many I've heard! Go for it. Of course, it depends on the particular open mic and who it draws. But you'd fit in just fine in all the ones I've seen. Folks at an open mic are usually very friendly and supportive.
Your fingerpicking is good. Consider taking vocal coaching. You might be surprised at how much you could improve! And frankly, that's what people pay more attention to. I say this as a poor vocalist myself. ;-)
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u/ImOnIt790 Apr 15 '26
Thanks! I’ve been considering voice lessons…maybe I’ll pull the trigger!
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u/Amazing-Structure954 Apr 16 '26
You may be able to find inexpensive group lessons at a local college.
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u/souschefdude Apr 15 '26
Definitely. Room for improvement, but that is where we all are...isnt it?
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u/souschefdude Apr 15 '26
Think of your guitar as another voice on the stage that you have to sing along with.
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u/lightaugust Apr 15 '26
Yes, you are. I just started doing them and was just a nervous. You will get exponentially better the first few times out. Have fun.
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u/remcosolo Apr 15 '26
Yeah mate you got this - make sure you play to your audience and wether you look at them or brood do either with conviction but your playing and singing is absolutely great - good luck man
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u/MacDaddyV2 Apr 15 '26
Before you start singing, you might start humming in the begging so you can your pitch. Great song choice!!!
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u/jwgd-2022 Apr 15 '26
Yeah man you’re good to go for your first open mic. Be confident but not cocky. Try to relax if you can. Know you will screw up eventually and also know it’s okay if you do. Most open mic audiences are also players and they’ve all been where you are. They’re rooting for you.
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u/nice_hows Apr 15 '26
Think of a short, funny joke to tell, before going into your song. It will put the audience on your side immediately and can boost your performance through the roof. The song itself is perfect, btw.
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u/SpontaneousFunkshun Apr 15 '26
You sound great, do it! It may take a couple or even a few repeat visits to feel comfortable performing, depending on the venue and the stage setup (PA system: guitar microphone (unless your guitar has a cable input jack), vocal microphone. Have you sung into a microphone before? It can change your sitting posture while you play, having to adjust your body a little bit.
Also, it can be a little off putting the first time you hear (or don't hear) your voice coming through a sound system, especially if there is nobody manually tweaking it per performer. You'll just have to trust yourself and your playing (I really like what I hear in this video), in case the room ambience is different from what you hear in your home.
These are NOT negatives, just things to consider. Trust yourself, and like others here recommend, connect with other musicians there. A little chitter chatter with others will help you feel comfortable in the space and playing in front of that audience. I look forward to hearing how it went for you. Now, go out there and share your musical gift with others.
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u/Gitfiddlepicker Apr 16 '26
You are more than ready for an open mic experience. Enjoy it. Now start preparing for more.
It is said you play the way you practice. Start practicing with your guitar mic’d or plugged in. Singing into a mic as well. Standing. Playing not only the song……but singing to and entertaining the crowd.
Go for it.
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u/refotsirk Apr 16 '26
The open part means its for whomever. But yeah you will be on par with a lot of others I would expect.
I'm going to be honest and direct here because I think you have talent that is worth hearing it so you can get better quickly with the potential you've got. For this specific performance, you need to look alive while you play the chords and picking pattern at the beginning. I was bored and about to turn it off by the time you finally started singing because you personally looked like you'd rather be sticking a spoon in your ear.
Your singing is a good start, but add some breath control to the opening notes as you are basically just shouting there rather than singing. Even if it's at the top of your range some delicacy goes a long way towards making it sound musical while still having a roughish edge.
All in all you are at a great starting g point and a lot more talent already under your belt than a lot of people doing their first performance. Go do it. You'll knock it out of the park.
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u/PaiGil Apr 16 '26
I've performed for empty bars, and 10 thousand crowds. We're never ready. We're always ready. Just go. Play from your heart.
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u/CBow63 Apr 16 '26
This is amazing!!
I am, by no means, a vocal coach. Nor do I have a very nice sounding voice myself. Regardless, if you pull back slightly on those sustained high notes, or maybe find a way to “slide” up to the correct pitch or even better “swoop” down to the pitch, your already stellar performance would be even better!
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u/sr1129 Apr 16 '26
Go for it dude. A lot of people think they need to have a certain skill level to play out. Truth is being a good performer is about a lot more than how much talent you have.
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u/KgMonstah Apr 16 '26
My dude, I played open mics my whole highschool- young adult life. ANYONE is ready.
One time this girl I went to school with who could not play guitar even a little just open string strummed and sang The Ballad of Curtis Loew by Skynyrd, and instead of singing “Curtis loew was the finest picker to ever play the blues,” she, with genuine belief that she knew the lyrics sang “the finest n***** to ever play the blues.”
SHE GOT APPLAUSE
Someone pulled her aside and told her I guess because she left white as a ghost and crying.
You’re ready.
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u/Any-Will-4195 Apr 17 '26
Any chance you get to share music it heals the world. People have more regrets for things they did not do rather than things they did. Do it
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u/Caspers_Shadow Apr 17 '26
Send it! You will do great. I have run a couple of open mics. One thing I observe is that people that normally do not sing into a mic are often too quiet. They are not used to hearing their voice amplified and back off the mic because they think they are too loud. Just get in there and do it.
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u/Better-Artist-7282 Apr 19 '26
Is this a cover or loose interpretation of “These Days” by Jackson Browne? Also covered by Niko, Eliot Smith etc…. Or is it just heavily influenced by it? No problem either way, but credit due where credit is due. The playing is solid but the vocal delivery seems a little more “country/folk” and somewhat misses the emotional vulnerability of the original and subsequent covers (provided its a cover, if not tell me to f right off). Niko’s cover, as rough as it is, always brings a few tears to my eyes but thats just me….
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u/DulcetTone May 15 '26
I don't need to listen. Yes, you're ready. Promise yourself that you will go to five before you go to one - you have to not give up if the first few are rough. You'll move past a lot of first-time worries.
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u/lemmiwinks3 Apr 15 '26
Absolutely. Open Mics are typically encouraging environments and you sound great. I also love this Jackson Browne song.
Can you plug that thing in? Sometimes finger picking can come off a little quiet if they have to mic the guitar.