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Reviewing/Feedback for friend's music/works...
StoreTags: reviews, feedback, music, critique
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How do you handle critique-ing someone else's music (especially a friend's)? I generally try to avoid it unless someone out-right asks me to - in which case I feel obligated to be as clear and honest as possible.
Several weeks ago a good friend that I hadn't seen in many years (due to distance) sent me a track that he was working on (a Demo - he called it). I listened to it for a while off an on before giving an assessment. I finally did so - with the disclaimer that (1) he shouldn't take any of this personally - 'cause it's about a piece of music, not him, and (2) this is only one opinion and his goals for this music (a dance track) may have little to do with what mine would be given the same elements to work with.
In brief - I told him it really didn't sound close to being a finished idea to me... more of a very rough sketch than a demo. Also, the overall form lacked cohesion, structure, and direction. Keep working at it, flesh out your ideas and textures more fully and convince me that you know what this is saying and where it's going. There were hints at structure, but it wasn't there yet.
Of course my feedback was much more detailed - complete with timing, specific sounds, etc. But after I'd sent it I became a little worried that it might have been too harsh - and I didn't want him to stop working on it. Though I haven't heard back from him yet, I was wondering how you have dealt with such requests - if ever. | |
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01/29/08
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Roshi
monty said: "the whole of idea of giving each other "serious" crits sound fake to me.
especially if its between friends who make music.
its like a group of guys who are all after the same girl."
Exactly - most of the time when it's done you're fishing for compliments, not honest criticism.
Which is really why one should be careful if it's friends.
01/29/08
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Roshi
skab said: "avoid this comment
"It's like [band name] on [drug name]"
that one makes me want to hurt people"
skab's music is like Lawrence Welk on exlax
(feel free to retailiate)
01/29/08
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mlbot
At times, the feedback I want is "how do I make this better"?
Other times, the feedback I want it "how great is my music, huh!?!"
With friends, I'd try to aim for number 2 if there is any doubt.
If I'm about to send a demo to a label, I might not want to hear "you should change X before you do".
But even if you tell me "I really like parts Y and Z"... I can use that information critically... I should do more Y and Z! Which means less X.
Good freinds can take constructive criticism, but that takes time.... as friends and time as artists.
01/29/08
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mlbot
For instance, I've never told Roshi that Oo-ray sounds like the Sisters of Mercy on Prozac.
01/29/08
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Roshi
mlbot said: "At times, the feedback I want is "how do I make this better"?
Other times, the feedback I want it "how great is my music, huh!?!"
With friends, I'd try to aim for number 2 if there is any doubt.
If I'm about to send a demo to a label, I might not want to hear "you should change X before you do".
But even if you tell me "I really like parts Y and Z"... I can use that information critically... I should do more Y and Z! Which means less X.
Good freinds can take constructive criticism, but that takes time.... as friends and time as artists."
X = your face to look like a butt
Y = your butt
Z = your moobs
edited: Jan 29 2008
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Roshi
PS. I'm bad at mad libs
01/29/08
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daswesen
Yeah, i'm for both kind of responses. Like, when I finished a track, I want to hear what's good about it. But when it's work in progerss or livesets, I want to have stuff like "this sucks, fix it"
01/29/08
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skab
Roshi, your bowing is reminiscent of a young Paul Bunyan on Dantrolene. 
had to hit up wikipedia for that one.
erm, back to the topic, i appreciate honesty. as roshi pointed out, i am really an accordionist trapped in my own bathroom. it hurts, yes, but now i won't waste any more time on that style. i think if your friend is a good one, then he needs to thicken up his skin. you can't go through life making music and expect everyone to love it
01/31/08
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bbwax
"lawrence welk on exlax" is a pretty damn good bandname.
01/31/08
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antfactor
So... my friend called me today to thank me for the feedback I'd given him. I suppose it wasn't that bad after all. Anyway, I was relieved to hear that it was exactly what he was needing. I would never give a friend criticism/feedback without being very specific - which I was. It's been interesting to read all of YOUR responses... keep 'em comin'.
I actually got some harsh criticism on my "Metroid" track which I'd posted here a while back. The only negative comment I'd received. That's fine, but aside from this person saying "It sounds like sonic sludge.. good for audio effects but is awful as a song." they weren't very specific as to WHY or had any suggestions. Initially I found it humorous, then annoying... but much as many people seemed to like it, I did realize that it sounded rather dense and could have more clarity. After swallowing my ego I started to mix another 'clearer' version - but honestly would rather work on my own material. I still think it sounds better than 98% of the versions that have been posted to ocremix.org... who had flat out rejected mine. turds. ;)
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