Drawing The Line Critiquing

[stikman]

I'm new so maybe a little too enthusiastic in wanting to help. I have been critiquing a few songs and am wondering whether if I haven't gone too far already, if I almost did.I'm not one for stroking peoples ego nor will I say anything just to hurt them. The only time I comment is when I think it could make something better.

 

That said I have kept things pretty basic in my suggestions. However I was going to suggest a title change, which would have required a reasonable rewrite. Is this going too far? It's just in my mind at least the changes could have taken the song from an also ran to something much more.

 

I never actually made the post because mid way through writing the poster added new information in another post. I don't think my suggestion would have been seen as overly helpful or welcomed after that so deleted it.

 

Where do you draw the line on critiquing?

 

 

[Alistair]

Feedback can be accepted or rejected so as long as you are respectful there should be no problem.

[Simmon]

This is an excellent topic and I am sure that we all have different 'lines' that we draw, both ther reviewer and the reviewee. I sometimes have the same concern, and I sometimes feel that others cross the line. So this is based on my viscreral responses to critiques I have read.

It's important to be specific. It doesn't help the writer much, if all you say that you do or don't like. If you think it can be improved, say how. That said, there is fine (and sometimes vague) line between giving direction, and trying to rewrite the lyric.

I think offering suggestions such as changing a specific word or phrase is fair game. Suggestions on a specific re-arrangement of the structure can be very helpful, especially if you feel that the writer needs to develop that skill. But adding suggestions to the point that the meaning changes, or that the lyric goes in a different direction, is crossing the line. I think the change that you suggested...

"However I was going to suggest a title change, which would have required a reasonable rewrite. Is this going too far?"

...starts to insert your own vision. When I read it, I thought, "Write your own song" and that might be how I would feel if it was my lyric you are criting. If changing the title will require a reasonable rewrite, then I would guess that the title you have in mind isn't really the right title for that lyric, but for another one that you is forming in your mind. That may sound overly sensitive, and it probably is, but the fact is that if your critique starts to make the writer feel like you are stepping on his/her toes, the critique will not be helpful.

Which brings us to the matter of how the author should respond to critiques. I think the answer is to use the critique constructively as far as you can find value in it, and let the rest go - never take it personally, no matter how misguided think it may be. In that regard, I agree 100% with the other responses above.

[Rudi]

If you look at a posters profile you will find under 'musical background' a 'getting critique' field.

 

If this is filled out, you will get some idea how to deal with the person concerned.

 

You Simmon, have not filled yours out.

 

Tom, Alistair & me have all put 'give it to me both barrels'. Tom's is a little more detailed than just that.

[Simmon]

If you look at a posters profile you will find under 'musical background' a 'getting critique' field.

 

If this is filled out, you will get some idea how to deal with the person concerned.

 

You Simmon, have not filled yours out.

 

Tom, Alistair & me have all put 'give it to me both barrels'. Tom's is a little more detailed than just that.

That's helpful. I didn't know. Thanks, Rudi!