- Friday afternoon thoughts over a bowl of soup -
First things first. Thank you to the two people who pointed out my ironic spelling error in our last mail-out. I can only assume the rest of you either a) don’t read them or b) are too polite to say anything, or possibly c) also can’t spell. It seems when ranting about correct use of apostrophes I misspelled apostrophes. Mmm this egg on my face tastes so delicious.
Second things second. Jane would like it publicly known that she does not, has never, and never intends to watch CSI. The show in question was NCIS. Our drummer Saraj said she lost all respect for both of us (why me?!) when I said Jane was watching CSI.
Apologies to all fans of CSI. Take it up with the J-Dog.
My Dad was the first response to my mail-out spelling gaffe. I think this is funny – big mailing list for band and things going well, and then a response that is not fan mail from a stranger but an email from your Dad.
To me, his quick response is representative of a broader situation, in which he will not hesitate to provide me with helpful feedback on anything, particularly (and most relevant) feedback on music. He is a musician, which helps, and also obviously we know each other well, which also helps. He is one of the few people on whom I can rely on for honest feedback on music (outside the band itself), and it got me thinking as to how important a position this is for an artist of any field, and how fine a line one must tread in giving feedback.
Most musicians I know are insecure about what they write and vulnerable to criticism. Overdo it, and it can be destructive. Having said this, constructive criticism is necessary to artists. The success and appreciation of what we create can ultimately be measured by numbers at shows, reviews, CD sales etc. You soon get an idea for what people like and what they don’t like. What you don’t get is why. This is important. Subtle and specific feedback is extremely helpful.
After shows people either approach bands and say they liked it, or else not approach at all. Even friends who come to shows will say it was good, possibly even if they didn’t think it was. How many times have you said to a musician/actor/poet/whatever “That wasn’t your best and this is why”? It is hard to do without being nasty. And yet if the performance wasn’t great, or had areas that you think could be improved, then how is the artist to know these things without feedback?
I realise I could be opening Pandora’s Box, and should our inbox flood with emails on things that could be improved about our music then I will only have myself to blame…
The trick to it all, in my opinion, is for any criticism to be well thought through, and most of all, constructive. It is also important to point out what you liked. Usually it will seem easier simply to say nothing. I can only speak for myself, but I prefer to hear about both what I do well and what I don’t do well, with a view to doing it better.
And so I return to my Dad. If there was something he didn’t like about a show, he will tell me, and the things he did like, he will tell me. This means the praise is contextual and therefore genuine.
If only his son could just learn how to spell.
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