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Hi all,
following the recent post by the editor i wandered about a similar post.
heres a few ideas i have about this subject. this is aimed at myself aswell as anyone else!
anyone else have anything to add?
1. BE HUMBLE
if someone doesnt like your song or points out changes be humble enough to accept their opinion.
dont try and argue and justify every line/musical moment. if someone (especially more than one person) points out a change chances are they may have a point.
2. DONT POST A SONG YOU WOULD NEVER CHANGE
Dont post a song up that you are really precious about. if someone suggests a change to it youre not going to like it and are likely to be over sensitive to any suggestions. its best to post things that you are working on and not things that have been expensively recorded.
3.DONT OVERSPIRITUALISE THINGS
dont pretend that this should have been psalm 151 and that God dicatated every word to you in a dream! chances are even the best first drafts can be crafted to be even better.
God bless,
gav.
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Yes, it's hard, isn't it??
Actually, I would add:
4. DON'T GO "AAAARGH EVERYTHING I WRITE MUST BE AWFUL"
People are likely to be critical, even if they try to be nice about it! If someone writes a huge essay on the various things that need improving, it means that they thought it was worth the time to write a huge essay - i.e. the song can't be that bad!
5. IT'S STILL YOUR SONG
You don't have to do everything everyone suggests - sometimes you have to filter it.
PS Gav: Hope all this isn't aimed at me and my insisting on keeping my choruses long :-)
6. Apply #1 liberally and repeat.
7. Repeat #6.
Good points guys, I’d agree. We should post with a goal to serve others, not our own musical interests. It should be noted that to receive feedback on a song is a huge compliment and should be very encouraging.
not at daniel, tho im glad u can take it with good humour! maybe that should be another point to add?
i.e. If you've been Yoda'd consider it all joy! Taking yourself too seriously can make this whole process uneccesarily tough!
I was considering writing a song just for Gav. It would have to have a "yoda" on every line. The chorus was going to go something like:
Wonderful, your love is
so amazing, you are
And forever, I shall sing
Beautiful, your face is
Ever free, your grace is
To you, an offering I bring.
I could make it longer, if you like?
hi gav,
i'd suggest
- attempt to "explain" rather than justify when points are raised
- a wise critic reflects on the response to their critique as there could be an opportunity for mutual growth
- "in humility consider others better than yourself" (phil 2:3) (when receiving or giving!)
the wisdom of this is that you start to learn from and be nourished by people that you might otherwise have been deaf to because of their apparent immaturity/appearance/job title/musicality/accent/whatever...
nice yoda chorus dan, im laughing loud here!!
wise words too michael.
i might copyright the phrase been yoda'd!!
Hi Gav,
Yeah, as you mentioned, take any critique with humbleness and good humour.
Dont be afraid have a bit of fun.
Also, as this can be an ongoing process, be prepared to try new out new ideas as they come in, they may just be gems.
Get to know everyone out there a little as well. Get involved.
It takes a lot of courage to do a critique well, but everyone out there is trying to help.
Be thankful that someone has taken the time not just to comment but to try and build you up to be a stronger more skillfull songwriter.
So thank you to everyone out there who takes the time to review all of the songs posted.
From someone who has been on both sides of the fence.
God Bless
Neil
Hi,
It's always good to get other opinions of thing...especially songs.
I might be repeating but if you have thought your song is perfect for so long it can be hard to see any way to improve it.
I remember David Crowder (yay!) done a rewrite of "O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing" and the orginal authors (now long deceaced) said that it couldn't improved apon...
So I think it helps to have another veiw point on the songs
God Bless,
Jordan :D
PS. Love the "Yoda'd" stuff, I do :P
Gav, if you copyright "Yoda'd" etc., I'll buy a mug and t-shirt!