One of the important things they won’t teach you at recording school, it’s how to give and receive feedback. And that’s unfortunate because it’s a skill that distinguishes good producers and you aren’t born knowing how to do it. So I’m going to share with you the guidelines that we set up in our incubators at Beat Kitchen.
And it starts here. If you’re sharing work, start off by making it clear what you’re asking for. If you just made something, you’re proud of it, and you want others to listen, that’s awesome.
But you should say so. If you want my honest opinion, you need to ask. If you’re feeling stuck, tell me why.
But don’t apologize for what you don’t like because it might be my favorite part. Similarly, don’t tell me how dope the drums are. Let me discover that for myself.
Some of the same principles apply for those of you who are giving feedback. It’s important to consider whether or not somebody is actually asking for it. You’d be surprised how often somebody is just showing you something.
But maybe most importantly, giving good feedback requires you to understand what somebody is going for. Ask questions and try to put yourself in the ears of the intended listener, not just your own. What I think of your music isn’t really as meaningful as helping you feel like your music is doing what you want it to do.
That’s important perspective. And if you follow that simple rule, you’ll deliver much more effective criticism. The feedback process is about growth.
We’re all here to get better and to build relationships. So to that end, your job is simple. It’s to be honest.
It’s to be kind. Now, go make some great collaborations and share this with someone who belongs in a Beat Kitchen class.
