We want to leave a lasting impression on our listeners. We pour our hearts, sweat, and tears into the music we love. It is important to get feedback on your music in order to improve it. However, asking for feedback may be difficult.
This blog post will share tips on how to effectively ask for feedback about your demos and your latest release.
Why is it important to receive artistic feedback?
When we are writing music, it’s important to keep in mind that we tend to see things through rose-colored glasses. It’s either that or we become so accustomed to hearing what we are hearing that we lose perspective.
A fresh pair of ears can be very helpful when it comes to giving an opinion about music. It’s always beneficial to get constructive feedback, whether it’s on the songwriting, the performance of a recording, or the sound quality of a mix.
Sincere feedback, positive or negative, can inspire new ideas and help you discover issues that you might not have known about. It’s important for your artistic development and will help you write the best possible music.
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When you are looking for creative feedback about your music, here are a few things to consider.
What are you hoping to achieve by providing feedback?
You may want to focus on different aspects of music. Are you looking for feedback on a technical level, for example? You want to know what emotions your song evokes in the listener. You may be interested in knowing if the mix compliments the music or has the correct balance.
All of these are excellent reasons to get a second opinion. You want someone who can listen objectively.
You should also know the reason why you’re sending a particular song to someone. For example, you may want to send someone who has experience as a mix engineer a draft of your song to get their feedback. You might ask a singer if your lyrics are coherent. Consider what skills someone has and how they could contribute.
I like to get general feedback on my demos. This gives me a better idea of where the song is going and which parts of it resonate with the listener.
I would also like to hear different opinions about a mix/master in the final stages of production. Ideally, this should be done with other headphones and speakers so that the mix will sound great on all devices.
It’s also a good idea to ask for feedback from other musicians on the whole album or EP. It can be very useful to determine which songs are strongest, particularly when considering tracks for music videos and singles.
Remember that you may receive feedback about other aspects of your music, even if you haven’t requested it. You might also be made aware of things you had not considered. We’re now ready to move on to our next point.
Prepare yourself to hear the truth.
Don’t get offended when someone gives you creative feedback about your music. They may not like something in it or find it annoying. When receiving feedback, it’s important not to take it personally. They’re trying to help you improve your music.
If you respond defensively to someone’s feedback, they will feel uncomfortable. They may even think that you are not interested in their opinions. They’ll also be annoyed by your response, which may prevent them from voicing their opinion again.
A friend of mine gave me some (honest) constructive criticism on a demo I had made. He said, “I hate the beginning” because the lead guitar clashed with the rhythm guitar. It sounded like two songs were mashed together. This was something I had never considered before. It made me realize that the section sounded muddy and complex.
Take criticism in stride – don’t be offended by the opinions of others, but try to consider what they’ve said. It will at least make you consider how you could improve your music.
When asking for feedback, ask the person politely and without being pushy
Online, you can find honest feedback from music listeners in forums on Facebook, Reddit, and music blogs. If you are reaching out to someone who is not a friend, keep your email short and sweet. Don’t come off as demanding.
Make sure to make your message friendly and personal so that the person to whom you are reaching out feels more willing and open to comply.
It would be best if you also mentioned why you believe you could benefit from their comments. Are you struggling to decide the direction the song should take? Do you think they could provide a solution that you would find useful?
Don’t forget that people also have lives outside of music, so they may not be as eager to comply with your request. Don’t push a person to respond if they don’t. Allow them to respond to you.
Wait until you have waited a reasonable time before following up. Pushing someone can make them defensive, which is not good. It is best to wait about a week before you follow up again. If they are very busy, it may be worth staying longer.
Let them know that you respect their opinion and time when making new contacts. Making new connections and building your network will be easier if you are polite and friendly. By adding value, you can encourage others to assist you. You can do this by buying their merchandise, attending their live concerts, or simply sharing the latest music.
Final thoughts
Try to be open-minded when you ask someone for feedback about your music. You may get helpful advice to help you grow as an artist or a new perspective on the music industry. You can also use it to help you with self-reflection.
Not everyone shares the same musical ideas. Everyone may not understand your vision. Positive, constructive feedback can help you identify your creative process, both strengths and weaknesses.
