I’m all for taking feedback and making improvements when they align with my soul. But sometimes the advice is just… flat-out wrong. Wrong for me, wrong for the song, and wrong for the people it’s meant to reach. Mine has been a simple gut check to know the difference, but I’m curious, how do you navigate feedback that leaves you feeling less inspired and more disconnected?
Composing : The Fine Line Between Constructive Criticism and Bad Advice by Kat Spencer
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Kat Spencer I think bad advice/feedback is when it doesn't relate to a project and when the advice/feedback will hurt the project (ex: add giant monsters and time travel in a gripping indie Drama script).
If I get advice/feedback that leaves me feeling less inspired and more disconnected, I'll find something that inspires me or I'll work on a project and put the advice/feedback behind me.
I consider all advice and feedback though.
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I think we all enjoy feedback and ideas among peers but we should be careful not take too much of it to heart. If we create how and what others feel we should be creating then soon our art is no longer our own. Each artist's path is different. Take the bits and pieces of feedback that resonates and inspires and then ditch the rest that does not. So YES, Absolutely.....Go with your gut!
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Art is by nature subjective. I try to separate criticism from critique and advice from opinion. I have to respect the person and know that the spirit in which their opinion was given was meant to benefit my project or me as an artist. Like Mike Hall said, go with your gut!
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I’m with Mike Hall - take bits and pieces which resonate and inspires your creativity within the music process.
On a recent post on Facebook, one guy is sharing his new song outside on the porch, which is a great song! Comment saying, it “sounds like the guitar could be done an octave, to not clash with his voice” was more a suggestion.
After thinking my background (studio) and him being outside, it’s totally subjective for the small suggestion I mentioned.
It’s not really bad advice, though subjective to many other narratives going on with guitar and voice.
I definitely am the sensitive type when speaking and sharing my opinions / advice.
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Some readers LOVE my stuff. Many on here HATE it. "Too many words", 'missing a slug line" "needed the reader to emotionally identify with the characters' 'need only ONE villain' 'too much detail' and on and on.And yet...how about this?
Hi Jon,
I am in the middle of reading Sacrifice by Kerry Williams.I must say the book is an amazing read, and I can barely put it down.
Sent by Sylvia Jacobs.
And this on ONE IN 7 BILLION, from Mark Glent:
Hi Jon, This is a very considerable amount of work........and an excellent job....so well done.
It's all opinion. I've read so-called award winning scripts. How are they the winners? Technically perfect? Sometimes boring? Who knows? I read an award winner's script for whom I suggested some basic English corrections. Story was good. HUGE number of long parentheticals. Why?
Presentation trumps content?
Many want to 'fix' my stuff for money. Usually they want about 3000$. Rent must be due!
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Kat Spencer Feedback can be an incredible tool for growth, but as you pointed out, not all advice is created equal. I love your approach of using a gut check to filter what resonates. That instinct is part of the artist’s compass, especially when the work is personal or emotionally driven.
For me, I try to step back and ask, “Is this feedback challenging me to grow, or is it steering me away from my voice?” If I hear the same feedback from multiple sources, that’s usually when I know it’s time to take it seriously and really examine what might be getting lost in translation.
It’s a fine line between staying open and staying true, and honestly, it’s a skill we all keep honing.