🎸My BEGINNER Guitar Course! maryspendermasterclass.teachable.com/ 🎥Support my work and get EXCLUSIVE videos/music: patreon.com/maryspender 👕My Official Store (SIGNED MERCH): store.maryspender.com/

Great video. I put a list of "Ten Commandments for Open Mics" when I was hosting one years ago. 1. If you get an introduction, take it. 2. Don't apologize for your performance before you start. 3. Tune before your set. 4. Less talking, more rocking 5. Don't insult your audience 6. If you need sheet music, or can't play it standing up, you're not ready to play out. 7. Whatever happens don't stop. 8. Shamelessly promote your site/band/CD. No one else will. 9. When in doubt, lead with a cover. 10. Make your sound man happy; you'll get better sound. 11. Listen to the other performers.

I run an open mic in NYC. Mary offers some great real world advice.

A guy got thrown out for starting a fight whilst I was performing at an open mic in Bristol. People were definitely not focused on my set but I did get some compliments for not stopping.

I sang a song called Get Out And Don't Come Back. At least, when I was finished the crowd and I were both in agreement.

Love watching you. Please never loose that great attitude you have. Very refreshing to see. Best.

Awesome. Thanks. I'm getting near the stage in my guitar playing as I more from beginner to intermediate that I am contemplating an open night. This was really useful and reassuring.

I took my rig to Europe to do a one song invitation. I even had a step down transformer via the 220v difference. My Les Paul affects pedals and fender twin. The "Sound Engineer" looked at me like I had 2 heads when I tried to splain that the step down transformer was necessary! Basically he splained back to me; hey buddy are you telling me my job?! I stood my argument down and humbly submitted to his bravado. He plugged me in and blew my affects pedal. Someone handed me an old Ovation guitar and I did the tune. The guitar did not sound anything like what I wrote the sound to be like. Originally I was miked up to the amp which had a blown fuse so I had no audio. Having no choice, I played an sang it. Standing Ovation and a line up of all kinds of age groups saying; wow. A well written and well rehearsed artist will always be capable of over coming adversity. If you play for others, well that one thing. But if you love your music and it shows, folks will appreciate.

Great tips and advice in this video. LOVE IT !!!

As someone who is just getting to performing level, but yet to perform, this felt fabulous to watch and learn from. Wonderful list of tips and info :) Tchoosdae Tawks are the best!

What a well thought out overview. I run a popular Open Mic in NYC. You have touched on everything and have hopefully served to lessen resistance people may have about participating in one. Great job !

I love these types of videos that you upload. You are always willing to help and share your experiences to help less experienced musicians. Quite admirable.

Mary, this was the sweetest. I think I enjoyed this one the most. You're making smiles happen out here in Texas with your lovely presence. Carry on!❤️👍🏻

Very well done! I’m still relatively new to open mics, but have been doing them for a few years. Wish I had found videos like this when I had started…

I did my first ever open mic night this week, after I’d been playing guitar for almost two years… and I will do it again. Beat thing I’ve ever done period end of. For a moment while I was up, I was me in the absence of the usual overthinking neurosis. And nobody cared that I wasn’t perfect. I’d walked into my own personal nirvana. Definitely recommend.

Love this video, as someone who's hosted and run an open mic night, every point you've said is spot on

What serendipity - I was just researching open mics to do in Bristol tonight and you've just posted this incredibly helpful video. Thank you very much, Mary. I've only done 2 but tonight I may do The Blue Lagoon or Grain Barge.

Mary! Love your work...'been following you for quite awhile! If you are the standard for open mics I'll never be good enough!

as someone looking to just start out with performing, I found this video was really motivating and helpful. kinda gets you used to all the things that could happen at an open mic. Loved the video, thank you! (PS, the second song you did at the open mic was gorgeous, especially that little guitar part)

I'm looking into playing a singer-songwriter night in a few weeks, after not really performing in the 6 years since high school. great list of advice and very fortifying, thanks!

Thank you Mary. This gave me motivation to start up music again. I've let some skills atrophy so this was a great kick in the pants. Love your videos.

I'm one of those that uses lyrics in front of me. I've been slowly migrating all my songs to a tablet. Which is much less distracting than a music stand. It's also good for reading the crowd and shifting the set to match the age group, energy level, etc. I hosted an open Mic for over a year and second the notion of playing on time. People want a sound check but don't figure that into their alotted time. Then they get upset when a song or two is cut out of their set.

I used to do loads of open mics, but now I'm a responsible adult with a proper job I rarely can because they always fall on a school night. I used to really love it, totally improved my confidence.

Maybe I'll get there someday. Great advice! My boy and I went to the Fretboard festival in Kalamazoo Mi. ( 20 mi. from me) Kalamazoo is where Gibson guitars originated. There was a bunch of people playing together. All acoustic. Stand up bass, guitars, mandolins etc. The lady told me about the Great lakes acoustic music association. They host open mics, and also play alongs where they call out the chords as everyone plays along. I should look into it. Great advice Mary! Thanks!

1:14 - I played the 12 Bar Club about 12, 13 years ago, tiny little venue. I have no idea how the booking agent got us the gig, because we were an instrumental prog/metal band, we had no right being there on a late Saturday night! The drummer was completely trapped at the back corner of the stage, surrounded by his kit, cymbal stands falling over, probably one of the funniest gigs I've ever played! What was really odd was the little seating area above and overlooking the stage, such a bizarre little venue, great atmosphere. 10/10, would gig again!

Wonderful advice. I did quite a few open mic nights in college and at some local coffee shops back in the '90s and they were all great experiences. Even the sets that didn't go so well taught me a lot. I think I might have to see if there are any in my area now. I'm not really pursuing a career in music anymore, but I still play for my own enjoyment and it could be a lot of fun to get back out there now and then.

Nice to hear that other people get nervous playing in front of people. I have always been a coward when it comes to that! Ugh, This gives me encouragement to try it maybe. Thanks.

watched a few of your vids and am taken with your concise and eloquent diction - so rare these days and a joy to hear!

Appreciate the advise. It's been so long since I've done an open mic and you've inspired me to go out and give it another go. Thank you

I love watching your channel. THANK You!

Thanks Mary. Very helpful and encouraging.

It's great to know that people of all levels of ability and professional achievement can get lots of positive feedback/food for reflective thinking from open mic performances!

Performing in front of a crowd still makes me feel like I might throw up... or pass out... maybe both... definately both. But friends and family, no big deal.

Fantastic advice. Filled me with nerves just watching it! Whole different ball game to being part of a loud band. One for the bucket list for me.

Again, great video! You are not only a wealth of information but you seem like a very genuine, nice person. Thanks for the info!

I've played open mics with Lucinda Williams before she was famous and Dan Fogelberg while he was just getting known. I've seen and met people who were at least locally famous (like Mike Wilhelm) who were making the scene at an open mic. An open mic can be a real zoo of wannabe amateurs, skilled virtuosos, brilliant witty entertainers, crazy diamonds. Really worthwhile to find out about your local music scene.

Excellent info! I had a blast at open mics!

I loved this video! I am very familiar with open mic nights. I am a singer, guitarist, song writer, actor, independent film maker, ventriloquist, and a writer. Jack of all trades, master of none. A friend at a bar looked that up on his phone. If a man is a jack of all trades, but master of none. But he masters one, he is truly a MASTER of one! I have been playing guitar for 50 years, writing songs since I was a teenager. I had my first live concert with all my own original music, 25 songs I wrote. In 2017. It was recorded, and filmed live, also the kick off of 2 fund raisers. The AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, and my own cancer treatments. In 2016 I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. Still going to chemo, still singing and dancing! I've even taken my acoustic guitar to my long chemo days, and played my own songs. To share with everyone, and give them hope and encouragement. The name of my concert was, DREAM YOUR DREAMS UNTIL THEY COME TRUE! It was a 3 and a half hour long concert! Not bad for my first. Had my first professional album recorded there. When finished it will be a 2 disk set, every song I performed in the same order. The albums will sell for $20.00 US currency. All the money goes to the AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY. The DVD's, also 2 disk sets for $20.00 US currency. The whole concert, behind the scenes, and added and deleted scenes. All that money goes to my family to help pay for my cancer treatments. And their inheritance. As I said, I'm a writer. Try not to write a novel HERE!! My concert was held at the, ARTISAN'S SANCTUARY, in Marion, Iowa, USA. Since they hosted my biggest dream come true, my first live concert, that has become my home. They are a nonprofit organization supporting the fine arts in todays world, which is dying out in my opinion. And I'm working to keep them alive, by hopefully starting my own personal business, a fine arts videography company. Have the name, and LLC license and EIN. Working on research and funding. I attend and perform at all the open mic nights, when I'm not out of gas in the car, or sick. I also do all the filming of all their events on a voluntary basis. They are non profit. I've filmed some really awesome concerts, open mic nights, and other events! I have my own KZfaq channel, Gregdon Cole. Not very big yet. 16 subscribers, 500 some views.By the way, just subscribed to you. DON'T FEEL OBLIGATED PLEASE!!!! I may be dying, but I'm still dreaming! And at age 62, seeing my long dreamt dreams coming true! To everyone, especially children! DREAM YOUR DREAMS UNTIL THEY COME TRUE, for you!!!!!!! That is my message and my legacy and prayer for ALL OF YOU! God bless you, wether you believe in him or not! I for one do! Gregdon Cole!

Choosday Choosday Choosday Choosday Tawks!

What a great video! Really gives me some inspiration to get out there and show off the stuff I’ve been working on. Thanks Mary!

Thank you for doing these videos, makes me feel a little less alone haha I remember for one of my first open mics, the microphone kept tipping down 😂, the host had to come out and hold it still for me for most of my song 😅😅 good times. Your vid gives me courage to get back into it, it's been a long while since I performed in front of anybody!! Thanks Mary!!

Great vid Mary, i like that you're a part of the open mike community. I've seen the 'flat battery in the electro-acoustic' several times now, you'd reckon a spare battery would be a no brainer. I've also seen a bloke who came every fortnight for nearly a year and played the same two 'Mumford and Sons' songs. He got pretty good at them after a while! The problem of punters talking during performances is pretty widespread now, i see it everywhere. I think it's a part of modern society and that there's little we can do about it, but jeez it can be distracting.

This is a really good overview. Something you mentioned that I didn't know was to share your equipment.

Cool. I love these. as a closet performer in different mediums. My first open mic was a disaster, but from there it can only get better.

One of the best Tuesday talks marry! Thank you very much. I just landed up to your sultans of swings cover, because I wanted to see the original one. The guitarist of that cover suggests ur name and channel at the end of tht cover through a song, tht made me to just check out ur channel. And now its been almost 1.5 hr or more I am still on ur channel because I instantly became ur fan seeing ur one acoustic cover and now I am even more big fan of urs seeing ur tuesday talks episodes. I m in love the way u say "Tuesday Talk"😄😍 with each new episode, the way of saying tuesday talks is increasingly become cute and appealing.!

I have performed at many open mics, and have run open mics. This is excellent!

Great advice especially about your body's reaction to nerves, so true!

Tuesday talks has easily become one of my favourite things on Tuesdays!

Great advice Mary, thank you for making this video, reminded me it's been a good while too since I played an Open Mic!

Great advice! Thanks.

Mary being the aging singer..guitar player..song writer that I am, I can only say that the best compliment I can make here is that I would pay to here tour show. Great video.

I did my first open mic this week - I am used to doing classical concerts which are a very quiet affair - and I had 20 drunk squaddies from the base crash the bar the slot before mine, who were very loud in the worlds tiniest little bar - and one drunk guy who stood there shouting “this is so boring - stop playing” through the whole of my first song - thankfully I didn’t hear that at the time! It was loud and clear in the video my husband took though so I get to watch his rude arse on repeat as often as I want... 😂😂 great video xxx

I have played open mics and I agree with this. They are a great testing ground.

Played my first open mic in ages a couple of weeks ago in the Sunflower in Belfast. Always useful as a warm-up for having a few proper gigs coming up. And for playing new songs.

You've got such a great mojo to yourself that I hope I manage to use your teachings, both in my wok and private life, none of which has anything to do with open mikes. You're a lighthouse, I was lucky to find you!

I've been hosting a jam night (open mic) for the last two years.it's tough to get folks out ,because of the week night thing .I love it still . it is alive & well in Johnstown ,PA. Still do it every week even though I live in Somerset county. In fact just got to finish watching this vid ,before I head out.!! Bless lots Mary!!!

What a nice, thoughtful video. Thank you!

Great list of things to think about.

Really enjoying your videos, both on your channel and the Anderton's channel. There's always some little tips that I find really useful 😁

Exellent presentation & topic! Well done.

thank you for teaching us a language,,,however most in my country can not grasp it very well,,,

I like your lighting Art! Great Tips!

Thank you so much for those pointers!

Hi Mary, Thank you for your helpful content and channel. I have had some brutal audience members also, loud drunks being my worst. (I have not heard a recent performance yet so obviously ignore if outdated), however to tighten up your intonation in the top range refer back to pure vowel where possible, and clean them up a bit. Lovely songs. Best of luck.

I really do feel for the performers at open mic nights when there's little to no audience. I've been that only person in the audience before and I'll tell you, it's just as awkward as it is for the guys on stage. You want to give them applause when they finish a song, but you also feel bad when they try so hard, only to hear that one guy clapping in the back. I did one (first time) open mic night with a friend of mine in Austin and it was absolutely terrifying. At the behest of my friend, I had one drink before we went on to "calm my nerves"... didn't help. I think I lost 3 lbs. just in sweat by the time we were finished. It wouldn't have been so bad if it wasn't a Friday night... the place was pretty full. I remember getting a few compliments and some "you guys sounded great" comments, but honestly I don't remember a single note I played that night.

I jammed with my friends band and some dude brought his guitar and he just helped himself to my guitar tuner. Not asking to use it, just grabbed it and tuned up. At least he put it back.

Great tips Mary, been thinking about going to some open mics to reach new audiences and I think you have convinced me! :)

Experience is pivotal. I was on the public speaking circuit for a long time and there was no greater teacher than getting speaking opportunities. Nothing beats experience. And get experience where you can.

Thank you Mary. Great advice.

I have never even been to an open mic event but may check one out soon. I would want to go as a patron to check it out, ask questions, and find out how it is run before going to perform.

I used to do open mic nights with my older brother years and years ago. It really is a great experience, once you get over that initial feeling of being absolutely terrified. There was a music store in Valparaiso, Indiana, that hosted open mic nights every Thursday night, and that was the one we always did. The one stipulation was that all instruments had to be acoustic. Acoustic-electric was allowed, but you had to bring your own cable, or purchase one upstairs. The first couple of times we played, the room was dead. He's a much better singer than me, so I played leads and such behind him. Even though the room was almost empty, I was absolutely terrified! These were the first gigs I had ever done in front of a crowd, and I had no clue what to expect. In fact, that first gig, I actually played the whole set (four songs) with my eyes closed. The third time we played, I remember driving there with my brother, and feeling like I was finally getting fairly comfortable with being in front of a crowd, even though those initial crowds were maybe 15 or so people. We arrived at the venue, signed into our usual slot (5th, unless no one signed into a higher slot, then whatever was open), and had a seat. It was about an hour early, but there were already 20-25 people there. By the time the second act went on, the venue was so packed, there were people standing out in the parking lot, listening on PA speakers the sound engineer had ran outside. When we were about to go on, my brother noticed I was shaking so bad, I could barely hold my Epiphone acoustic, much less play. He quickly reassured me that we knew the songs backward and forward, and that we were going to kill it. So, up we went. The first song (we played five that night), my eyes were practically glued shut. By the third, I had relaxed, and was even taking a few chances with leads that I hadn't when we rehearsed. We killed. Since then, when I've played in front of crowds, I'm still nervous, but I've learned that, if you're comfortable with the material, it's just a matter of getting up there and playing your set. If you make mistakes, so what, no one's perfect. If you're genuine, the audience will see that, and you'll be successful.

Nice to see the sun shining on you Mary!

Yeah, that second song at Barge was "intonation free" ;-) Nice chops though. Can you post more of your om clips? Do you loop at om?

Great advice Mary

You make me think in inspiring ways like I used to thank and stay simple 😁

Hey Mary, first of all thank you for your vids, you are awesome. The reason I wrote was aside from being a singer guitarist myself I'm also an inventor/ idea person, The idea I had was this. initially when I first I saw your name the first thing I thought was she should put an "L" in her last name which would change it to "Splender". Mary Spender is a good name but brand wise Mary Splender in my opinion has a unique ring to it, rolls off the tongue, has an exquisite connotation to it and therefore as a brand contains a lot to work with. Spender is a good name, but in the realm of entertainment, I think Splender would work to your advantage of marketing and promoting and selling your brand.

It helps if you have the voice of an angel and can play guitar like the devil.

I feel like I've just found my voice in the past couple of weeks, so hopefully I'll be brave enough to use it in front of people this year!

Thanks good advice Mary

I play at The Orchard Inn in Bristol every monday. It's less an open mic and more of a 'come up and improvise through 3 or 4 songs with players you've never met' kinda thing. Sometimes its a mess, sometimes its the best thing ever. I reckon your style would be very welcome there Mary!

Great job, Mary!

This is my first time here I just wanna say " YOUR VOCALS ARE AMAZING"!!!

Great video Mary!

Stupid question maybe, but equipment wise what should electric guitar players take to an open mic? Do you need an amp? If not, what do you plug in to? Do you just use pedals if you want gain? Whats the best method for bringing/playing a backing track?

Really good advise Mary

mary is such a likeable, motivating and good vibes person. i like her channel very much and i think a watched every episode meanwhile. if you may come to berlin, just give a hint, i will be there. lots of open mic places here of any colour with lots of friendly persons. if you may be interested i could name you some adresses here. often they collect money ("the hat goes around", we name it here, so you may even make some money). besides there are cheap places to stay for a few nights. food and drinks are about the most cheap ones in europe.

Keep playing no matter what the distraction is unless there is a fire, the barge is sinking, or bullets are flying (flying bottles & glasses are OK - just be ready to duck).

You say tomato, I say capo...

your so right i haven't done an open mic in awhile.

When life doesn't get in the way open mics are a great way of meeting other musicians or you can do a solo performance

thanks . subscribed

Another great Tuesday!!!

Hi Mary! Grettings from NYC! I'm a new subscriber to your channel ,and just love it! I have a question How did you get your very first payed gig? I've open up a few times for my music instructors band and enjoyed every minute, But Don't wanna be the free band anymore lol

Went to my first "open" blues jam at a local pub last Friday. I'm not sure I have the commitment/interest to show up at 7:30pm and hang on until Midnight to get a chance to jam with the band. I may be better off finding some people on the same wavelength to form a band -- either for casual jamming or the occasional gig. As Mary points out in the video, you may be there for hours just to play a couple of songs. I can see the value for those who really want a career in music performance. In my case here, the "host band" played for an hour. Then some regulars came in and jammed with the band for another hour. I had early morning commitments the next day so had to leave at that point.

Did you use the Boss RC-300? That's a great piece of kit. Love mine!

please come to sydney love your channel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I,m a 65 year old that was a professional musician from 14 to 40 years old. Got married and went to work. My outlet now is open mic only. Just to play! Nit for money but if some one sez that was good,, let me get you a drink. O.k.

Open mics are great, it gives everyone of all abilities to get up and play. It also usually garuntees a small audience (albeit made up of the other performers in most cases!). I play in two very noisy bands ,and it gives me the opportunity to flex my quieter musical muscles. The networking is great too, I've seen many band borne out of an open mic session.

Hi I would like some advice. I have been playing guitar for 20 years and taught myself to play. I’ve written quite a few songs and believe they are good enough to gain me some recognition at some level. That’s not being arrogant, but just being confident. The only problem I have is I get really nervous when playing to people and always make a mistake 99% of the time I perform. Have you got any tips you could give me?

I was once DRAGGED to an open mic by this guy I was in a duo with. He INSISTED on doing open mics. Wouldn’t let it drop. The place we went to had someone with talent playing as we approached the venue. We could hear it down the street and it sounded amazing. Learned later that, apparently, Jimmy Buffet’s guitar player was in town and he jumped up there with a band. Talk about bad luck. Conrad (my duo mate) still insisted we needed to get up there. I had a yet-undiagnosed anxiety disorder and was having a panic attack. There was no way in hell I was going to follow Jimmy Buffet’s axe-man with what we had prepared. I don’t think I would have been able to play anyway. I think I would have forgotten the songs if we tried. That happened to me once before-as if I’d never heard it before nevermind tried to play it.