How To Make Your Open Mic Performance a Success

BY CRAIG CHEE | FROM THE SPRING 2026 ISSUE OF UKULELE MAGAZINE

Performing at an open mic is often both a major goal and a major fear for ukulele players around the world. For many, it is their first time playing in front of a group and can be a stepping stone toward performing in front of a larger audience. No matter your experience level, playing an open mic can be one of the scariest things you’ll ever do—but it can also be one of the most rewarding.

When I was in college in Eugene, Oregon, I was lucky to have many performance opportunities available to me. I used those small gigs to quickly get over stage fright, practice new songs, test new gear, work on my banter, and improve my performance skills. Here are my biggest tips for those looking to make a splash at their first (or 100th) open mic.

Preparation

Performing your song is just part of what makes up your open mic experience. The most important thing is to be as comfortable as you can going into the performance. This includes a lot of prep work even before the big event.

If this is one of your first open mic experiences, you’ll want to be as prepared as possible. This means you should try to spend some time watching other people perform at the venue. Start taking mental notes of what performers did to catch and keep your attention, how they got out of hairy situations (more on that later), and start visualizing yourself in their shoes. 

Be the audience that you want to have at your gig. That means being attentive, supportive, and forgiving. Remember, no one wants to see a performer bomb; they are there for a good time and want to see you succeed.

Pay attention to the flow of the evening. If there is a list, tune your instrument and warm up your voice/fingers when there are a few acts before you. When I first started, I would actually wear headphones to help get me “in the zone.” (I would be listening to a practice recording I made earlier of the song I was about to perform.)

Practice 

Memorize your song. One thing you’ll notice about great performers is how much they are looking out at the audience. This establishes a connection, and it feels like they are having a conversation with you. Staring at your music on a stand is much like talking to someone while looking at your phone—it can be done, but the experience is very different. 

If you’re just starting out, don’t be afraid to do just one song. Know your song inside and out. Play through your arrangement, isolate any trouble spots (like rough transitions), and spend extra time ironing out those sections. Once you add vocals, practice swapping verses or starting with the end. If you make a mistake, you’ll have a much easier time jumping back in on a verse if you practice this way instead of starting from the beginning each time you practice.

One of my favorite things to do (if there are lyrics) is to record myself playing through the song with just my ukulele. Then I practice singing out loud with the recording. It’s much better than playing with the original recording of the song, since you’ll get used to how it will sound with just you playing. This also allows you to do other things while you practice just the lyrics.

If you have a performance coming up, practice as if you are playing at the event and avoid bad habits like using chairs with armrests or slouching deep in a couch. The absolute best way to do this is to set up your phone and record your practice. Watch your recording to see if you’re making eye contact with the audience, if you are wandering too far from your mic (real or imaginary), if you are making a face that would scare a small child, etc. 

Almost every open mic will have some sort of amplification available. Having the performance come through speakers will help fill the room and help the performer maintain attention (as well as their voice). But hearing yourself through speakers can be the most jarring part about your first performance. If you cannot practice with an amplifier, try to remember the sound of different performers when you hear them sing through the speakers. 

If you want to get an amplifier, I highly recommend going to a local music store. It’ll be a great way to test your instrument with multiple amps, and you’ll be able to get help finding what you need. For example, do you need something portable? Battery powered? Loud enough to fill a coffee shop? Something with four inputs (two instrument and two microphone) to play and sing as a duo? These are all questions you’ll want to consider as you are shopping.

If you do not have a pickup installed in your ukulele, you will need to put a microphone in front of it, just like you would your mouth for singing. Make sure to keep an eye on both mics when you watch recordings of your practices. 

Presence

During the performance, a little attention paid to mic technique can go a long way toward keeping you and your audience engaged. The closer the microphone is to the source, whether that’s your voice or ukulele, the more isolated and stronger that sound will be. The farther you get from the mic, the more it will pick up other sources of sound. Fight the urge to constantly back away if you think it sounds too loud. Allow the sound engineer to help dial in your sound, otherwise they will be forced to keep bringing your volume up, which can easily lead to screeching feedback noise.

Practiced singers will play with this distance during different sections of a song for a multitude of reasons. For example, getting close to the mic will allow you to sing quieter for a more breathy tone or intimate sound, while moving a few inches away from the mic during the climax of the song can illustrate an explosive amount of emotion and power without completely overwhelming the audience’s ears.

Be comfortable with the volume level of your monitor (the speaker facing you). You will need less volume coming from it than you think. A quieter monitor allows you to really focus on the nuances of your instrument and voice; if it’s too loud you’ll play more hesitantly or too gently. 

Don’t start until you and your sound engineer are ready. The more you talk (while strumming) into the mic before you perform, the more time the engineer has to dial in your sound. Even an extra 40 seconds can go a long way toward having a confident start to your performance. Make sure your monitor level is where you want it and adjust the mic stand so you don’t have to bend awkwardly throughout your song. Even if you need one more sip of liquid courage, take those few extra seconds and start chatting up the crowd—you got this! 

It’s easy when things go right, but it’s how you get out of trouble that separates the beginner from the veteran. It helps to have a few jokes or stories in your pocket if you ever need to fill a few minutes. For example, there could be some sound issues, a need to re-tune, or something happening in the venue that would otherwise create empty (and quiet) space.

Wrapping Up

Taking the stage at an open mic is a powerful leap. It’s a journey that transforms fear into exhilaration and practice into performance. While the thought of performing, especially for the first time, can feel terrifying, remember that the reward outweighs the risk. The keys to a successful open mic experience are simple: preparation, practice, and presence. Preparation ensures you’re comfortable in the environment and with the process. Practice, especially memorizing your song and recording yourself, will build a solid foundation for a connected performance. Finally, presence reminds you to trust yourself when things go wrong, showcasing your professionalism.

Most importantly, remember that the audience is on your side. You are stepping up to the microphone not just as an ukulele player, but as a musician with something to share. Embrace the entire process, from the first practice strum to the final note on stage.

Watch this video from Craig and Sarah for help with using a microphone and what to do during soundcheck:

Open Mic Cliffs Notes

• Memorize your song
• Know your song inside and out
• Use an amp for practice if possible
• Record yourself playing ukulele and sing along to it
• Practice like it was the real event
• Record your practice and watch later 
• Be the audience that you want to have at your gig 
• Take notes of the other performers
• Take the time to adjust your sound, mic stand, etc.
• Pay attention to mic technique
• Keep your performance monitor at a low volume
• Have some jokes or stories ready to fill space
• Remember the three Ps: Preparation, Practice, Presence