Giving good feedback and absorbing good feedback are skills that we aren’t born knowing how to do. It takes some practice. If you’re asking someone for feedback, keep in mind they may not be good at giving it.
Here are a few things you can do to make the process a little easier. First of all, do a quick gut check and make sure you aren’t just showing somebody something. Don’t spend a lot of time qualifying.
If you play something for me, I know what a work in progress looks like. You don’t have to tell me it’s not done. Don’t apologize for your work.
The thing you may be apologizing for might be something I really like. Don’t tell me how doped the drums are because you put me in the position of having to agree with you. And if there’s something you’re really trying to work through, feel free to let me know your goals before you play it.
That way I can focus my attention and it’s also going to give me a better understanding of who is your intended listener. And that’s crucial. Either way, to give and receive feedback is a really valuable skill.
You teach it by doing it and doing it kindly and respectfully and you can practice it in a in a Beat Kitchen class. If someone who belongs in one, share this post.
