Criticisms should start with what is good about an individual’s singing technique and build from there. For some reason this seems to run counter to what many singing and vocal instructors incorporate into their teaching style. A great many instructors find everything you might have done wrong and attempt to fix all of these supposed problems. What I’ve found to be the greatest talent of my favorite singing and vocal instructors is their ability to find what I’ve done right in my singing technique and then continually build on this. In the end this always takes care of the original problems that were found in my original singing technique.
Obviously one of the goal’s should be to address problems and work toward solutions, but constructive criticism is just that – it is constructive. So ask yourself, “How can I build someone up if I am only focusing on this person’s weak points in my analysis?” Don’t dwell on what is wrong with a singer’s performance to the extent that the problem becomes a distraction.
One of the most clever techniques for dealing constructively in your criticism is to give out what I’ve come to know as a good-bad-good sandwich - slice of critique in between two pieces of compliment. Start out with what a singer is doing right, transition into what is needs improvement and end with another compliment of the singer’s strengths. This way your student is opened up by the compliment, the problem is addressed and then they’re left with the good feeling of another compliment.
Lastly, keep in mind your non-verbal behaviors, like posture or facial expression. These are powerful indicators of your thoughts. If you look relaxed, your student is more likely to accept your critic because his or her self-esteem won’t be damaged.
These are questions any serious musician and particularly any singer needs to answer clearly to themselves before they will have any real success. Have you ever really asked yourself why you want to sing? Is it really about the music, or are you just on some ego trip thinking your following the path to fame and fortune.
So many people, and this is true of many young people who see music as a career, just want to get into the entertainment business without realizing that talent and the potential can only carry you so far. You have to really understand that the music and singing is not only about you. It’s sad listening to a person sing that I can just tell is only into their own feelings and what is going on in their own mind. So many of the memorable entertainers are able to reach down and be about themselves but in a way that communicates and shares with their audience. Without fail, the one’s who get up on stage or go to the recording both for primarily selfish reasons always go down in flames.
Music isn’t about money or making you ‘dreams’ come true. I have dreams, everyone’s got dreams, but if this is all you think about then what is life to you? Music is a gift. You have to work with it everyday, and grow with it as you mature and learn new things. Really focus on the music, not the dreams about becoming famous.
Any form of entertainment is about a give and take experience. The principle of “give and you shall receive” is at the heart of what it really takes to become a successful singer and artist. Give to your audience. Consider others first, and you will reap the rewards and benefits that come. It may not be fame and you might not gain a fortune, but you will have the true joy and satisfaction that comes only when you put others first.
