The True Value Of Songwriting Critique (And Surviving The Process)

I've been involved with Songstuff.com for almost 11 years now. In that time I have seen thousands of writers and artists post up material for critique. Over that time I've come to appreciate the real value of critique, and I'll give you a clue, it's NOT receiving critique for your own work.

Writers do have a variety of wants when it comes to critique, and often the motivations are not one simple perspective but a mix of perspectives.

What Is Critique?

Critique is not simply someone listening, observing, and offering a constructive comment. Critique is a constructive discussion that uses observation, analysis, opion and advice. Please note the use of the word discussion. It is not simply one way traffic. The point here is to achieve an understanding of the points being made and for the writer to make an informed decision. Not seeking to understand the perspective and observations of both the writer and the person offering critique is to tie our hands and wear a blindfold. We fail to see, and we fail to act.

Getting Critique For your Own Work

In some cases writers approach it as a purely transactional thing:

• I post my song
• You tell me what you think of it

and there it ends.

For others it's more of a self-promotion, or an ego stroking exercise:

• I post my song
• You tell me you love it or I will become defensive or simply ignore you

While both of these approaches may fulfill some immediate need in the writer they both completely miss the main benefits of critique. By far the majority of so called songwriting critique or lyrics critique I have seen on the internet falls into these two categories.

Note there is no statement of desire from the writer. The number of times I have seen writers receive comments only to be upset that the critique offered does not focus on what they really wanted comments on, so, state what you want from the critique!

As the writer, be open to suggestions and listen to the comments made. Seek to understand the points being made, the ramifications and any advice that is offered.

As mentioned critique should be a discussion. A conversation between the writer and the person performing the critique. Seek to engage anyone performing a critique and remember to thank them for taking the time to listen to or read your work. It can be very disheartening if you are the one to perform a critique, spending a significant amount of time on somone else's work for your effort to be simply ignored or dismissed.

Invariably writers who show such lack of response will get:

• Less and less critique of their work
• Poor quality critique to the extent that eventually the only people who will respond will provide one line pats on the back

Recommendations For Writers Seeking Critique

• State clearly any focus you desire for the critique or if it is completely open to the person performing the critique
• Listen to comments made and work to understand them and any implied effect
• Work to understand any advice being offered and the implied effect acting on that advice may have
• Discuss constructively with the person performing the critique. It is not an argument, or I am right you are wrong. Listen, discuss, consider, discuss, consider some more, decide in private your course of action to take if it you believe that would in any way descend into an argument.
• Try to avoid being precious (my precious) with your material.
• Try to avoid being overly defensive. Put forward your points for discussion, but avoid being sensitive to the comments.
• Don't take comments personally.
  
• Thank them for taking the time to go through the critique process with you

Offering Critique

Over the years I have read tens of thousands of critiques. Sadly many fall into three categories:

1. One line pat's on the back
2. My opinion rules, I am right and you are wrong
3. I have commented on yours, so comment on mine

Offering critique, and I don't like calling it that in the circumstance of number 1 above, is pretty well a waste of time, and is often offered by people who reading between the lines (or line ) are actually doing number 3

If you take the perspective of number 2 you are more likely to offend, more likely to provoke a defensive reaction. Not only is that unpleasant, but it wastes the time of all concerned as the writer whose work is under critique will be very very unlikely to open their ears and listen to your points and after an argument your opinion is going to be dismissed.

Critiques of the form number 3 require some mutual back scratching. As such opinions tend to be diluted, advice tends to be superficial. All in, a not very productive use of time.

Offering detailed critique is by far the most beneficial aspect of critique (giving or receiving), and by far the most underrated.

I say that because offering a detailed critque has many benefits to you as a writer in your own right:

• You are exposed to many genres, ideas and concepts. Far beyond those of any individual writer.
• You exercise and develop your Observation Skills.
• You exercise and develop your Analysis Skills
• You exercise and develop your ability to Come Up With Solutions

This means that you hone your own skills across a far wider spectrum than you would encounter with your own writing. Your own lyrics, melodies, recordings and productions will benefit allowing you to spot possible issues, and possible benefits at a higher level, way before you seek opinions on your own work from others. This has the knock on that when you do get critique, those performing it are already starting with a more evolved work and the points they raise are likely to be more focused on fine detail.

Offering critique really offers you, as a writer, musician, engineeer or producer, the best chance of knowing and understanding the difference between songs that really work, and songs that really don't. Fundamentally it helps you understand trade-offs, where to adhere to guidelines and where not to, and understand why.

Useful Reference Articles

I have included a couple of links below to articles I have previously written for Songstuff that have touched upon critique. Although targeting lyrics writing in particular the concepts and approach regarding technique equally apply to melody, arrangement, recording, production, and of course the combination of both lyrics and music into a song.

• Improve Your Lyrics Writing
• Lyrics Critique For Songwriters

Other Resources

I am of course involved with Songstuff, so you will not be surprised that I would direct you towards the Songstuff Songwriting and Music Community as a resource. The site staff and members actively help create a comfortable and friendly environment. For critique purposes I would specifically direct you towards two boards:

• Song and Recording Critique
• Lyrics Critique

Lastly

Take the initiative. Don't wait to receive critique from others before you critique theirs. If everyone does that, no one will receive any critique at all! Add to that receiving critique is less beneficial (generally) to you as a writer than giving, so don't wait about. Help yourself, help others and get an all round warm and fuzzy feeling.

If you have any feedback on this article please leave a comment below.