Critiquing others
and being critiqued
A small % of people
do critique. Remember, it's like tithing, the more you
give the more you get back.
I critique when
I have time, and too much even when I don't to be honest.
I also consider those I think have an open mind to hearing
honest tough
critiques, and I honestly consider those who help in the critiquing
job more
as well.
It's nobody's job
here, people give their own time to help others, and we
ALL should help.
You're not qualified?
$#@%&! LOL! Yes you are. You have ears, you have an
opinion, you have your tastes that tell you when to buy a
CD and when not
to, you have your opinion that decides when to turn the radio
station and
when not to, you are as qualified as any one. The more you
do, the better
YOU'RE writing will get as well, and the better you'll be
at it too! :-)
Just say "I'm
new to critiquing, but this is my opinion ..."
Critiquing my
baby
As writers we often
want other people's opinion of our songs. Sometimes because
we're so proud of it, we want others to enjoy it and feel
good like we do. We want them to "celebrate" with
us. Another reason we ask for critique, and actually the better
reason is to ask for their opinion. This is asking for a critique.
Now you can get 2 different types of critique. An honest critique
and a sugar coated critique. The honest critique is harder
to give and harder to receive. This is an honest critique
that is honest enough to point out a problem if one is seen.
Now, understand that one person's garbage is another's prize
possession. My wife and I talk about old things a lot. She
says one thing is an antique, and I say "honey, it's
just old." But, if we were talking about guitars, maybe
I'd have a different viewpoint. Anyhow, the other type is
a sugarcoated critique. Kind of like you're neighbor waves
to you and says, "hi how are you today" and you
smile and say "fine" and continue on your way to
grab the newspaper. You don't say that you're actually having
a bad day because you missed you're promotion yesterday, you're
concerned about your dad's health, and you're football team
just lost their 4th straight game and you're afternoon is
going down hill fast. You just sugar coated you're answer.
A real friend might see you walking down the street and say
"hey, how are you REALLY doing. You don't seem yourself
today. Tell me what's going on." That's a real friend
that cares about you. A critique that does anyone any good
isn't full of "oh what a nice song, you're so good."
It may do wonders for you're ego though. Now if someone honestly
looks at a song and sees nothing that they can point to and
suggest they'd be best saying "I took an honest look
at your song and really have no suggestions. It seems very
good as it is, I really don't have any input for you differently."
If the person sees things that TO THEM don't seem right, or
has suggestions an alternative ideas they should let you know
them, hopefully in a caring way. Not "your song stinks!"
but more like, I think you could work on this section, or
this, etc."
One problem is
that songs to songwriter sometimes seem like our babies. It's
not fun listening to someone say there's a blemish on your
baby. "Your child is spoiled" for instance. BUT,
if someone cares, they'd point it out to you in a caring manner
so that you could correct the problem. Remember though that
in the end it's YOUR SONG! But don't forget to have an open
mind. If someone was struck with the feeling that your song
didn't sound right, chances are it may hit many others that
way too. Consider carefully their opinion and then decide
if you agree with it. I find it best to print up the response
and think them over for a couple days. When I critique songs
I try to give the person options. As writers we often get
tunnel vision thinking one way. I try to say "why not
try such an such" or "It doesn't seem that you stayed
with your rhyme scheme" or "I don't think your title
is focused on enough" and so on. Sometimes I get specific
ideas and will suggest a different type of verse, or story
line and make specific suggestions. "Instead xyz, try
abc, or so on." I don't think it's the critiqers job
to rewrite your song, but if they get an idea they should
pass it on. But don't think that just because someone pointed
out an error for you that they should also fix it for you.
That's your job, and more importantly your decision to decide
if it was an error, or beauty mark. LOL!
Have an open mind,
thank them for taking their time and being a friend enough
to give you their honest opinion, carefully consider their
opinion, and then decide having seen the alternatives. It's
your song, make it a good one.
Dave Byers
Dave is the founder
of "writingsongs.com and the Christian Songwriters Organization.
He has been writing songs since 1979. His book "Songwriting
fundamentals" is available by clicking
here.
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