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Some people will be better than others at giving thoughtful, useful, constructive criticism that you can understand. So
This inquiry is designed to help you locate some of the sources of useful feedback that are available to you as a music learner.
Your question for this inquiry will be: From whom can I get constructive criticism that will help me pursue my music-learning goals?
For your investigation, decide on an area of music learning that you would like to focus on right now. For example:
Deciding on a specific music-learning focus may require almost no research; you may already have something in mind. If not, you may need to do some reading, listening and/or thinking. If you have trouble stating a specific interest or learning goal, consider doing the inquiry in Designing Inquiry Questions or in Ways of Knowing about Music . If you are not certain where to look for reading or listening resources, consider doing the Finding Resources inquiry.
Prepare a creation that shows off the best that you are capable of doing in that area right now. This might be, for example, a song you have written, a piece that you have been practicing on your instrument, or a short essay describing what you hear when you listen to the music that interests you. You may have to prepare this creation "from scratch" or you may be able to polish up something you have already worked on. If you have no idea what kind of creation would show off what you know right now, consider doing the inquiry in Creative Responses to Music Learning .
As you prepare your creation, make a list of any problems that you cannot seem to solve, any weaknesses that you do not know how to fix, or any specific learning goals that you think might make it better.
If it truly is not possible to prepare a creation to show off your present abilities, then prepare a set of well-thought-out, thoroughly researched, intelligent questions instead. (For example, if you have not even bought an instrument yet, you may want to research instruments and then ask some well-informed questions about what you should buy.)
The "Discuss" step is the part of an inquiry in which you get feedback, so this is the crux of this particular inquiry. Choose at least three people and arrange to present your creation to each of them, separately. As much as possible, try to choose different kinds of people , for example, one teacher/expert, one peer/bandmate, and one friend/relative.
Listen carefully to any feedback they want to give, but ask each one at least one specific question that should give you useful information about your "problem" or "goal." Work on your creation a little more with their suggestions in mind before you answer the "Reflect" questions.
If you are doing this inquiry as part of a class or group, report on and discuss your experiences with your group before making your final reflections. As a consideration toward your helpers, do not name them in your discussion. Refer to them in an anonymous way, for example, as "a friend" or "a fellow choir member."
As you reflect on the feedback you have gotten and think about where you might turn for future help with your music-learning goals, consider the following questions:
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