Individuals who are independently pursuing music-learning projects can benefit from the knowledge of others by actively seeking feedback on their projects. There are many possible sources of useful feedback and constructive criticism, but the learner should follow some basic rules when seeking this kind of help.
Introduction
Music is a social activity. Even when you are making or listening to music alone, your experience is connected to what you have heard in other people's musical creations and performances, and what you have learned about their musical understandings, activities, and preferences. Whether you are learning to be a more-accomplished musician or a more-informed listener, it is important to get feedback, to connect your own musical journey to the understandings and expectations of others. However, as many young musicians stricken by "stage fright" can attest, this can be one of the most uncomfortable parts of learning about music.
It can be particularly challenging if you are trying to make progress on your own music learning goals and projects. Most music-learning programs include built-in opportunities for feedback: concerts, recitals, tests, or group discussions. If you are learning on your own, who might be willing and able to give you useful feedback? You will find in this module:
Types of people who might help
The lists below are not complete. The goal here is to get you thinking about who specifically might be willing and able to help you. I have grouped the suggestions into three broad categories:
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Experts are people whom you would approach because they know more about the subject than you do. Even if you are already an experienced musician, if you are exploring a new type of music, a new instrument, or a new activity (such as composing), there will be many people whom you can treat as experts.
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Allies are friends, family and colleagues who are interested in you as a person and will want to support your efforts to learn and grow. They may not be music experts, but they almost certainly have experience listening to and thinking about music. They also may have more time and more willingness than experts to discuss things with you in depth or over an extended period of time.
- As research has shown,
crowds have an expertise of their own; comments from many different strangers may give you a good sense of the typical reaction to your musical ideas or creations. Keep in mind, however, the reason that many music students develop stage fright: Unlike allies and music experts, crowds of strangers are not invested in you as a person or in your development as a musician. Some may choose - for reasons that have nothing to do with you - to make negative, hurtful remarks rather than give thoughtful, helpful feedback.
Seek comments from crowds only when you believe that you are sharing the best that you are capable of producing right now and are certain that negative comments will not knock you off course as a music learner.
