Why Pro-Song Critiques Are Essential
The more you learn, the more you’ll write cuttable songs.
All of us love approval. For me, playing anything to my Mum—whether it’s music or a song sung by me or an artist—is always a special time, especially with her approval! However, to truly thrive in the industry, we need more than a supportive audience—we need expert guidance from professional song critics.
As I began my journey as a full-time songwriter, I committed to actively pursuing professional critiques for my work. I went to conferences and seminars in the UK, and anywhere the best pro-songwriters were, mainly in the US and particularly in Nashville.
In doing so, I uncovered a treasure trove of valuable insights and wisdom that would help me refine my craft at an accelerated pace. Each critique became a golden opportunity to learn, grow, and evolve as a songwriter, pushing me to heights I might not have reached otherwise. And not just about the craft of songwriting but also key information about how the whole industry works.
As a “full-time trainee songwriter,” I realized that attending events costs time, money, flights, hotels, and energy, but it was an essential investment in the craft.
Invest in your craft
Accepting feedback from seasoned professionals allowed me to quickly identify areas for improvement, ultimately leading me on a path to rapid creative development. See more on Three Steps to Getting Your Foot in the Door in the Music Business here.
The Best Approach
I once participated in a songwriting competition where I entered my own song. Not only did I receive insightful feedback on my song, but I also had the chance to observe the judging panel as they critiqued every single entry. Just by quietly sitting in the back of the judge's room, making pages and pages of notes on the craft, this gold helped shape my songwriting journey and some of the most important lessons I ever learned.
It can be hard to put your heart and soul into a song only to have a pro-songwriter pick it apart. However, the value of using critiques is learning opportunities, letting go of emotional attachment to your work, and developing a thicker skin for getting the gold behind their experience.
I wish I could say that every critique of my songs was given with the grace and humility I hoped and deserved. It wasn’t. Every now and again, you get some pro who delivers their views, sometimes what seems rude or making jokes about my work. Some pro-songwriters bring their egos along with their valuable experience. But that’s fine by me, just to capture their valuable views, even when I disagreed. Even the meanest pro-song critiquers (rare, but they are out there), there would always be at least one or two little nuggets that I came home with, like the burger here.
The aim was not to be told I was brilliant. The aim was to get critical feedback on my songs, not on who I am as a person. So it’s well worth taking the risk. You can always just ignore their comments if it doesn’t work for you. The more you play your work to the industry, the higher your chance of getting your work cut by an artist. And the more you learn, the more you’ll write cuttable songs.
The more you learn, the more you’ll write cuttable songs.
Let's explore why professional song critiques are so valuable:
1. Unbiased Opinions
Friends and family are naturally biased. They want to support and encourage you, and that often means holding back on honest feedback. Professionals, on the other hand, have no emotional stake in your work. Their opinions are based on experience and industry knowledge, giving you a clearer picture of your song's strengths and weaknesses.
2. Fresh Perspectives
It's easy to get stuck in your own head when writing. Professional critiques offer a fresh set of ears and a different point of view. They can help you see things you might have missed, such as areas where the lyrics are unclear or the melody isn't engaging. And this is their trade, the work they do every day. So it’s worth at least listening to them.
3. Identifying Blind Spots
We all have blind spots in our writing. These are things we don't see or understand because we're too close to the material. Professionals can helicopter to a higher place, point out your blind spots, and help you become aware of recurring patterns in your songwriting that need attention.
4. Commercial Viability
If you're aiming for commercial success, professional critiques are a must. Professionals understand the current market trends and listener preferences. They can advise you on whether your song has commercial potential and suggest changes to make it more marketable. Publisher critics are the most brutal but important because they are pitching songs daily for a living.
5. Handling Critiques Constructively
Receiving criticism can be difficult. But it's crucial to approach critiques with humility and a willingness to learn. Instead of getting defensive, listen carefully to the feedback and try to see your song from the critic's perspective. Remember, they're not attacking you personally; they're simply trying to help you improve. But if their view doesn't work for you, just ignore it.
One of my peers left a critique session in tears, saying, “God gave me this song, so it must be a good song.” I thought it might be good to hear in heaven, but not here on earth. I didn’t say that to them.
6. Learning and Growth
Every critique is a learning opportunity. By carefully considering the feedback, you can develop your skills, improve your craft, and become a better songwriter. Embrace the process, even when it's challenging, and use it to fuel your growth.
In Summary
Professional song critiques are an essential investment for any songwriter who wants to grow and succeed. By embracing the feedback, you can gain valuable insights, improve your craft, and take your songwriting to the next level.
However, if you disagree with what the pro-songwriter says about your song, simply ignore it. At least you go home with a connection, someone you can put in your contacts app because, sometimes later, they might even become one of your co-writers. And yes, that really did happen to me.
Questions
Here are a few questions for you –
What are your biggest fears about getting your songs critiqued?
What steps can you take to find qualified professionals to critique your music?
How can you approach critiques with humility and use them as learning opportunities?
Hope this helps!
Simon.