Topic: Post your tune if you'd like to hear an honest opinion
Not long ago, a band I have been helping out played their second show.
There were a lot of people there and, of course, friends.
Musically I think we were okay. There are definitely differences between the musicians abilities and skill sets, within the band, and I think it showed as a whole. Nonetheless people came and said we were great. I videoed the show to see for myself, and I know we didnt get honest and complete feedback from the show. (What would you tell your friend on a private phone call in a different state who didn't know the band, of your experience?) THAT is what I'd call true heart-level feedback.
The point I make is, your friends are not reliable, their role is to support you, thats what friends do, and people will be polite. There are very few of your friends that will tell you if you bombed. Thus, you are isolated from real feedback.
But its not their job to give you the brutal truth, it's our job to discover and learn what works and what doesn't.
This thread is for those who would like access to an opinion about their music. Post it up if you'd like to hear honest feedback from someone that's not your friend, or family, and has nothing to offer except feedback given in the interest of spurring you on, and helping you to improve.
In each case, I will dissect the song, listen to it, give impressions as a whole, point out problems, suggest solutions, and if you have ears to hear and are able to recieve and take feedback, then it's my hope that your music as a whole can benefit.
I say this as a singer songwriter, and I too crave this kind of feedback from others. It can be maddening to be around those who "Love me" because their feedback is colored, and those who are in direct contact, would be polite. As a singer songwriter, I lack the complete objectivity to judge my own work. So feed back from others is very important.
It makes sense though. When I play I have no idea how a crowd will hear the music. It goes out to hundreds of ears and each one has an opinion. When I hear someone's song, I have a much more definite idea of whats right or wrong with it, because I have only one set of ears which matter, mine.
Since I don't write for myself to hear, but for others to hear, this honest assessment of my music is a very important piece of information that I have no access to.
This thread dispenses with this blind spot.
With access to someone's honest truth/opinions, it can be humbling and tough to hear. Too often we WANT to hear, that was great, and we arent prepared or particularly willing to hear that something that we did was lacking.
I'd be happy to hear anyones song or riff or ideas, if they'd like honest feedback, so long as we can still remain friends, and you understand that it's in the spirit of helping, and making one better so that they don't have to exist within the blind spot of honest feedback.
Post here if you'd like to know...
Instructor