Songwriting: The Art of Obtaining Effective Feedback

There is a real feeling of satisfaction when you finish writing a song that you feel so good about.. A song that portrays the message that you want to share.. that lyrically and musically comes together.. that gives you that feeling of excitement at your core..

But what now? You have completed your song.. what does the next step look like? How do you further develop your song to make it great?

I have heard so many experts and artists talk about how helpful, gaining some feedback can be in developing your songs. As this article unfolds, we will help you to navigate your way through the feedback process.. We have gone back to the experts, with some incredible contributors that have been so kind in offering their generous advice.

The idea of gaining feedback on your songs can be extremely daunting.. the idea that the song that has taken you pouring out your heart and soul, is opened up to scrutiny can be downright scary!

Francesca de Valence (award-winning songwriter and founder of I Heart Songwriting Club) says “I remember back to a time when I was always too afraid to open myself up to feedback – it felt like a personal attack on me and focused on what wasn’t good enough – and that made me feel not good enough.” She then went onto create ‘I Heart Songwriting Club‘, opened up to feedback and began to share her lessons and advice with her community.

I know that from my own experience, the idea of sharing something that came from an idea, so deeply personal, felt incredibly scary.. like I was running out into the city, stark naked and yelling ‘here I am’.. However, the first couple of times I shared my music, I realised that the meanings that people connected with, were connections of their own lives and own understandings.. my music acted as a mirror for the feelings that they felt.. I wasn’t really exposed after all!

Robin Frederick from MySongCoach.com advises us that “there are times when song feedback can be extremely helpful and others when it can actually  do harm by making you think you’re writing isn’t good enough.”

As such, we will go through a few things below for you to consider to ensure that you are gaining the best feedback, for your needs and working towards turning your well crafted song into a great song.

Consider who you ask for feedback

Once you have made the decision to seek feedback on your song.. the next question is ‘who can I possibly ask to provide me valuable feedback?’.. it can be really difficult, especially when you are first starting out, to find that tribe, who will give you honest and constructive feedback.

We have gone to the experts to gain some insight.

1. Avoid asking family and close friends

Our first instinct, when we write a song that we are so excited about, is to seek feedback from our family and our closest friends.. and of course.. they are so easily accessible to us..

However, LeAnn Zotta, Exec Vice President at Songdoor International Songwriting Competition strongly advises us “Don’t ask family and friends. They will be less inclined to be honest because they won’t want to hurt your feelings if the song isn’t a chart-topping hit. In addition, your family and friends are quite unlikely to know what actually constitutes a good song and could inadvertently “train” you to believe that a song that’s full of clichés, has poor structure and no hook is “great!!!” They will only know what they like, and that criterion is not necessarily what sets up a song for commercial success. Get a professional evaluation from a couple of reputable places, develop a thick skin and prepare to learn all the things you didn’t know.”

Duncan Hill from Tamworth Songwriting Association (TSA) told us that “the TSA has conducted many songwriting workshops and the consistent thread of advice from the tutors is that it is best to understand that asking family and really close friends could result in an obligation for positive feedback.”

2. Consider experience

Clare Burgess, Director of Australian Songwriters Association advises us to ‘Get advice from experts, not enthusiastic amateurs.’

How exactly can we determine who is an expert, when it comes to reviewing our songs?

• “Make sure that the person who is giving the feedback is an acknowledged Songwriter” (Denny Burgess, Chairman of the Board ASA)

• “Someone who has actually performed original songs on stage.” (Alan Gilmour, Treasurer & Director – ASA)

• “If you want to win awards, get feedback from writers who have won awards. If you want a publishing deal, get feedback from published writers and publishers themselves. If you want to grow and become the best writer you can be, seek out feedback from people you admire.” (Sarah Spencer, SongFancy.com)

3. Dive deeper into the reviewers credentials

“Examine the reviewer’s credentials. Do you know writers who can vouch for the critiquer’s effectiveness? Is the critiquer well-versed in the genre you are targeting? Are they working in the music business—with their finger on the pulse of current hits? Ask what issues your critique will address. A critique that evaluates aspects such as melody, lyric, title, groove, chords, structure, rhymes, and potential in the current market can point out weaknesses that might otherwise slip through our blind spots.” (Jason Blume, www.jasonblume.com)

4. Ensure your feedback provider knows where you are in your journey

Providing information to your feedback provider about your experience and knowledge within the area of songwriting will mean that the feedback provided, can then be put together in a way that is going to provide valuable knowledge and help you move forward.

Danny Burgess, Chairman of the board for Australian Songwriters Association (ASA) says that it’s important that “the feedback provider understands that you are an Emerging Artist.”

5. Consider setting up a mutual feedback arrangement

Francesca de Valence (award-winning songwriter and founder of I Heart Songwriting Club) says that “It’s important to have songwriters who are equally sharing songs and giving feedback as it creates a sense of mutual agreement. Songwriters know what you need and also want the same back in return. It creates an environment where you get out what you put in – and that can truly flourish!”

She says “It’s the most uplifting, reassuring feeling to have a group of people I know, like and trust to be sharing their songs with me that I get to listen to and offer them feedback, but also they are that for me.”

What are your goals?

Great.. so you now have your song written.. You have chosen the relevant people to provide you with feedback..

How do you then know what to ask?

The experts show us that setting and understanding the goals of the feedback request will not only make it so much easier for you and your reviewer to reach a desired outcome.. but it will also give you a roadmap of where you would like to end up.

Brent Baxter Professional songwriter and founder of SongwritingPro.com advises us that “when seeking feedback on your music, it’s important that you are clear on your music’s goals. Do you want commercial success? Artistic greatness regardless of mainstream appeal? Personal fulfilment? Knowing this will not only help you identify relevant SOURCES of feedback, it will help you sort the relevant feedback from the irrelevant.”

1. What song elements are you looking for feedback on?

“I would say be polite and respectful but be specific about what you want feedback on…Lyrics, melody, tempo, groove, song structure etc or just a general impression on appeal overall?” – Gary Luck, Director – ASA

2. What do you want the outcome to look like?

“Not all feedback is created equal! Before getting any feedback on a new song, I encourage writers to consider their goals for the song: Do you want to get it recorded by an artist who will then put it on their album, get it played on the radio, and tour with it? Or do you just want to know if your song is “good or bad?” The two are very different. A professional will know how to help you workshop your song so it has the best chance of reaching your goals. If someone promises to tell you if your song is “good or bad,” they’re not professional. “Good or bad” invites a lot of opinions, and is entirely subjective.” – Sarah Spencer, SongFancy.com

3. You are not seeking approval for your song

“Fun fact, all songs are valid because all artistic work is valid. The question to ask is not, “Is this good or bad,” it’s, “Is this song written in such a way that it will reach my goals?” When you know your goals for your song, you can then consider the credits of the person you’re reaching out to for feedback. Have they accomplished any of the same goals that you want to accomplish? That’s important.” – Sarah Spencer, SongFancy.com

Feedback is a Tool

Now that we have established our goals, it is important to understand why we are obtaining feedback and to understand that feedback that we receive is subjective.

“While asking for feedback about your songs can be helpful, it’s important to keep in mind that a song – and songwriting – is art. Art is inherently subjective so there are truly no “right” or “wrong” ways to create. That being said, learning the craft of songwriting can give you a valuable set of tools that you can use in service of your art. Seeking feedback from experienced songwriters or industry professionals can help add to that set of tools but always feel free to deviate from any/all advice no matter from whom it comes if you have a good, intentional reason for doing so.” – Cliff Goldmacher, Songwriter, Music Producer, Educator

Using feedback as a tool to gain some insight from different sources about how you can further develop your song is incredibly valuable, but don’t lose sight of the art that you are creating.

Seek multiple feedback

We have noted earlier that your song is art.. that feedback is subjective.. by obtaining feedback from multiple sources, you gain insight from different perspectives.

“You might send the same song to several critiquers and see what kind of feedback you get. If multiple professionals deliver the same feedback, it’s not a coincidence.” – Jason Blume, www.jasonblume.com

Where to begin..

Duncan Hill from Tamworth Songwriting Association suggests to “get into a community of artists and emerge from that. We find that by showcasing songs to other members of songwriting associations at small functions several things happen..

Join songwriting associations.. If you have time join several.. Go to workshops (Some may be a waste of time…. but you never know… You will soon find workshops with good reputations by talking to others.

Open Mic and talent quests are experience.. are sometimes discouraging, but are opportunities to meet other artists and judges.. You will get feedback. 

Enter songwriting competitions.. The feedback will be your advancement through semi-final and final process.. plus, the people who run these things will see your name over time and will note your progress the more you do, the better you will get.

There is NO silver bullet for most artists.. As we say each one of these things is an arrow in your quiver.. It’s up to you, these days artists are discovered because they work hard.. exposure and quality and….. their own sound!”

Summary

Robin Frederick from MySongCoach.com summarises this article well by saying that “There’s no better song feedback than what your own ears tell you. Be honest. Give yourself credit for what you’re doing right. Work on those areas where you need more strength. Trust your ears. Listen to a lot of current, successful songs Learn everything you can. May your songs flow.”

Contributors

A huge thank you to the incredible contributors to this article: