The Art of Receiving Feedback

Hi everyone and welcome to this month’s blog post.  Last month I wrote an article about giving feedback, keeping sensitive artists in mind.  This month I’d like to write about being that sensitive artist and receiving feedback.  Receiving feedback can feel like an attack, especially when it’s given tactlessly, but even if the feedback is given tactfully, it can still smart a little.  I’d like to give you a few tips to think about to take the sting out of being on the receiving end.  Like giving, receiving is also a skill that can be learned and requires some practise.  

Not everyone has to like your piece.  
Everyone’s tastes are different and your style of music just may not be your critics’ taste.  That isn’t to say that it’s not good, or doesn’t have potential, only that it didn’t resonate with that person.  Remember, it’s just their opinion and it’s subjective.  You can’t please all of the people all of the time, and nor would you want to.

Take note of what is being said.
If someone is giving you genuine feedback, there’s a good chance they will tell you something that can improve your composition.  Listen to what they have to say and feel good that this is an opportunity to improve, don’t think of it as someone picking holes in your creativity.  If the person is a very experienced composer, be excited that they are taking the time to help you improve your skills.  There’s always room for improvement, although if your critic is yourself, there’s going to be a point where you need to stop.  There’s a saying in the music industry; albums don’t get finished, they’re abandoned.

Tactless feedback is not your problem.
If someone is being tactless with their feedback, they have the problem, not you.  They obviously have not had enough experience receiving tactless criticism of their own and thought about how they would like to receive suggestions.  Listen to see if there is actually a nugget of helpful information buried deep within the train-wreck that is the badly-delivered feedback.  If not, try to brush it off and hope that karma catches up with them eventually.

Accepting the feedback isn’t mandatory.
You don’t have to accept it, the composition is your creation. If you don’t like the feedback, don’t take it personally.  They may suggest changing a part that you personally love, you don’t have to accept that suggestion.  Some of the feedback may be technical issues that would result in your composition sounding better, but creative suggestions are subjective, which you may or may not agree with.  It’s up to you whether you accept it or not, but if it’s tactful and genuine, take it in the spirit in which it’s given.
​
Thanks for reading.  I hope that you will join me next month, bye for now.