Karaoke Forums

A Better way to Critique?

(The below advice is taken from a Professional Studio Engineer on how to get better results from a vocalist while working with them in the studio).

The Million Dollar Vocal Secret:

The secret to a great vocal sound is a vocalist who knows how to work the mic, and an engineer/producer who can keep that vocalist motivated!!!

The Million Dollar Vocal Secret is nothing more than Specific Motivational Language that will keep a singer fresh longer and get you a way-better performance! It's simple, but it's overlooked nearly ALL the time. Here goes...Use positive language!!!

I call it the Perfect End Result! It saves the singer mental and emotional energy that can be put to good use in the lyric and melody.

What is the Perfect End Result? Here's some Examples:

"Sing that note a little higher. " vs. "You're FLAT on that note.
Tina bring your energy up a bit more." vs. "Tina, your energy is dragging down too much." - "It will sound great if you sustain that note longer." vs. "It sounds lame when you drop off the end of that note."  

Positive language works!!!

Every creative person PRIDES themselves in their performance. It creates a mental uphill battle when you give the person a negative comment about what you don't want vs. what you DO want!

KEY: The mind does not understand the word "Don't". Why? Because the mind works in pictures, not letters. If I say think of green jello wiggling in a bowl in front of you, what do you think of? Now, let's experiment. Picture that green jello for a minute. Now...... DON'T think of dark red cherries in that wiggly green jello. DON'T think of bright yellow sprinkles on the jello and spilled on the table. DON'T think of your best friend taking your jello and dumping it on the floor. DON'T THINK OF IT! Don't think of your friend's shocked face as the jello splatters all over the floor!!! DON'T think about what I'm saying! DON'T sing that note SHARP again... DON'T SING SHARP!!!.... DON'T SING FLAT!!!

DON'T THINK ABOUT AN ELEPHANT!!

Do you get it? I guarantee that while you were reading that paragraph, you were NOT thinking of an elephant....Up until now. Now you're thinking elephant. But no matter how many times I said the word DON'T, you pictured what I said. Your mind automatically locked onto the image/idea no matter what - it was instantaneous and effortless.

If you tell your singer she sounds like her energy is low, she will have to FIGHT off the energy drain since attention was brought to it's lowness. It's easier for her to increase her energy if you say the Perfect End Result - "Bring your energy up!" If you tell your singer what you DO want vs. what you DON'T want, that person doesn't have to mentally process away the mistake - they only have to aim forward at the bulls eye. If you tell your singer "Stay on key, you'll sound better." - they will do it easier and more instinctively than if you tell them "Your off pitch", you sound flat".

I promise you. No matter what style of music you're into or what instrument you play, if you LOCK this technique into your method of music, you will accelerate your success and increase your staying power in delivering the passion and magic that music is all about.



My Comment about the above article.....

Read the examples above again and see if how the Critique is worded would make any difference if you were the one being given the Critique.

Would one way seem helpful? and the other make you feel insulted?

Would one way make you feel instructed on how to improve? and the other make you feel intimidated? or picked on?

Which way do you think would keep the singer motivated to want to improve "vs feeling frustrated,angry or have hurt feelings?

which way would most likely result in an improved performance "vs the singer Getting discouraged and possibly giving up?


Using positive language! Specific Motivational Language works for the Pro's in the Studio...why would it not work here at SS?

If you think that Critique done this way would not work then why?

I really appreciate you posting this Jesse.  This was a very well-timed and excellently written document and I really thank you for putting it into the forum.  I do not usually participate on this side of the house, but had to let you know your thoughts behind this piece were very well received.

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I find that to be true... however in my experience, even using positive language doesn't always work. People still get angry (especialy if you follow with a lower rank than they expect).

And as for saying 'stay on key, you'll sound better'... ... well I realize you didn't write the article, but I for one have never found it helpful for someone to tell me to 'stay on key' or something similar. But then, maybe that's my personal problem.  Generally, if I have trouble with pitch in a certain place of a song, I can hear that it's wrong when I sing it, but I can't hear what's RIGHT (until I maybe refresh to my ear what it's supposed to sound like).

I don't normally have that problem, but it does happen sometimes and is very frustrating when it does. Usually, it happens with a song I'm not very familiar with and once I learn it well, that doesn't happen again.

So, when I critique songs in SS, I usually think that the singers can hear (on playback) where they were off-pitch and I just mention it to explain the rank I'm giving. If it's only a particular spot, I'll try to be specific. However, I've also found that apparently, some folks CAN'T hear it. They think they're fine.  :dontknow: In those cases, it doesn't matter how 'positive' my language is "if you'll just bring the pitch up a little bit...." some folks still get angry.

I'm looking forward to the critique thread I've been catching up on here. Maybe we will really have the chance to help each other out there.

Anyway, interesting article & thanks!

Well in order to learn how can you not make mistakes ...   I would hope that is someont was trying to help me become a better vocalist in the particular style I was singing in  .. it would be something that coul possibly make me a better singer ..do I have to agreee ..why no....but sometimes a reality check is in order.  I enjoy hearing the different styles ... songs etc. and back on topic did  find this thread interesting and some of the techniques discribed above are used everyday in management or sales traingng and yes they can apply to any field ...

I was just curious if anyone thought this might help in some way  :)



Thanks for your reply's  

This is a basic psychology that most who are actually "teachers" realize is a MUST.. It's what makes an instructor a decent instructor, and a task a positive experience that a person will wish to pursue.  Encouragement vs Discouragement is the crux here. The critique CAN be a positive experience.. Part of the problem in singer's showcase isn't solely those that enter the "C" category, and can't take the criticism, yet it's also in part due to those that DO NOT know how to critique.

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Well, airhead me is still sitting here envisioning jello on the floor, and dark red cherries, and elephants.....  :rotflmao:

Hiya Jesse. Missed ya.  :wink:

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♥ Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain. Cherish the memories, ignore the pain. Love and learn, forget and forgive. Because you only have one life to live. ♥

(watching charmin play in the jello....)


heheheh

Hi there charmin  :wave:  Missed you too  :hug:

DON'T think about what im saying!  DON'T think of it!!  LMAO
you know...Jello and dark Red cherrie's ...hehe  :)

You have just made some of the best and most sensible posts I have seen in this forum Jesse (and Steven Kaplan)  There are so very few people on this planet who actually understand that what you are saying is right!  The elephant analogy is such a powerful example.  By simply paraphrasing our criticisms into positive suggestions, we bring out the best in our fellow singers.  We tend to manifest in ourselves (and others) that which we focus on.  Let's focus on what we DO want... not on what we DONT want! Ready for another analogy? ... life is a mirror.  That which we see coming at us from others is only a reflection of what we are putting out.  Some people only see angry unfriendly people, others only see happy helpful people.   I know which world I prefer to live in!  BRB... the elephant's just found the jello!!
Snoopy

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Those who bring sunshine to others cannot keep it from themselves  
Snoopy

Yes, I think alot of people are afraid to critique because they don't know how, and will fluff the situation rather than think of the correct way before proceeding.
This thought coming from an actual karaoke contest that was being conducted on a country music radio station in Pittsburgh, PA. on 03/07/06.
I just happened to be listening because I want to try a couple of country songs, but I need to hear these particular songs a few times before I'll be able to even attempt them.
Anyhow, this contest was to try to win tickets to some concert, don't remember now. There were 5 karaoke singers total. What I thought interesting was that there weren't any words to follow for the singers...they were performing as an actual artist would, a tough feat for many of us.
3 women and 2 men were the contestants. All were very good IMO, but 1 lady seemed to be off-pitch or off-key in several areas of her song and lost track once, but didn't quit.
There were 3 judges, but I won't say what their affiliation with music was because this is just a generalization I'm posting here.
But when they judged the song of the lady who was not the best of the bunch, it seemed like they avoided the real inadequacies in her performance almost preferring not to get that involved. I didn't think that was fair to her.
Obviously, she didn't win the contest, but now she doesn't know why.
The guy who sang the winning song was outstanding. A Keith Urban song...and he nailed it completely and exactly. Every vocal mannerism was expressed totally. I couldn't tell the difference between his and the actual song...an exceptional karaoker.
But the judging was pretty vague throughout the whole contest.

I enjoyed reading this thread, and I believe the positive reinforcement technique is far better than a negatively worded approach.
Maybe this will help anyone here who does like to give their input to other singers trying to help.
I don't think a critiquer has to be a singer necessarily to be able to give an honest critiquing.
We all have ears and are capable of working from what we hear.  :biggrinthumb:

Just wanted to add that you who say "fluffing" is the easy way out... that's very true. It's super hard to tell someone you don't know what they did wrong. Heck, it's even hard to tell my friends what they did wrong! I don't want someone feeling like I think I'm better than them just because I'd like to give some constructive feedback. So most of the time I keep it to myself. There are a few who seem to handle it well, so I'm more open with them... I myself love hearing honest critique!

Manda Gray

I can vouch for 'Manda'

I've critiqued her a few times and she has always been receptive.  :clapper:

Gracias, senorita syb!

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While I'm sure this works for some people, personally I have never had any trouble with voice teachers who told me things like "you're flat on this note" , etc.  I know you are talking about engineers, etc. but you could say the same things about voice teachers and their students.

If you can't take criticism, you shouldn't be in the arts because there is so much rejction and negativity involved with being an artist, writer, singer, actor, etc.  The trick is to just roll with it, take the advice without being thin-skinned and without getting defensive. I started taking voice lessons in high school and then took them in college and also again more recently. I was pretty immature when I first started taking them and I'm sure I would cringe if I heard how I sounded back then (talking to my teacher, being defensive). Over the years I have learned to be more mature and listen more in voice lessons to what the teacher says, even if I don't necessarily agree with it, and to try what they say.

Of course I don't think I've had too many teachers who were completely negative, but they do tend to be somewhat negative because they are there to tell you what you are doing wrong and how you can improve.  Then when they do tell you it sounds good, you feel so good about your improvement!! I would prefer an honest teacher than one who is worried about hurting my feelings.

Just IMHO of course!     You feel free to voice your own...

Critiquing here on SS is very diffrent because a lot of people don't want you to tell them real critique. That's how I feel, anyway. I stopped telling people anything wrong about their singing and just put "email me if you want the critique" and guess what, not one person has emeiled me to ask for their comments. So obviously no one wants to hear any of it.  So I just don't bother most of the time, I say nice things and forget the rest. Or if it's really bad, I say nothing.

SS is not voice lessons on the internet.  We critique individual songs, not really the singers. Like, for instance if you have a person who has some very basic vocal problems, such as wide vibrato, no breath control, always flat, etc. you can't just tell them the same thing on every song.  If you were in a voice lessons situation, you could take it bit by bit, show them how to improve, have them work on it at home, and then come back the next week...hopefully they have improved and you can continue to work on it.  But that will not work on SS.  If you tell them something like this, they will not know how to correct it and they will keep doing the same thing all the time.   And it's even possible that person knows they have these problems but just don't feel like working on them, too.  Some of us are very lazy I took lessons, so I know a lot of my problems. If you hear me singing off pitch it is probably because I am not using enough breath control, which I need to work on.  I may not have heard it when I first recorded it and uploaded it, either, but then I may hear it later.  It's hard to listen to yourself and really hear it.  But anyway, I don't have much time to work on breath control so it's not likely to get much better unless I start taking lessons again, which kind of forces me to practice these things.

Anyway sorry it was so long....!!!

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~Suzanne Lanoue~

In most aspects of teaching.  Keeping things "positive" one would hope many would realize is a great way to nurture (a luxurious) activity, or hobby another person is trying to perfect themselves in.  This isn't boot camp.  It's an area of interest, or hobby people voluntarily gravitate towards for whatever reason.  It's elective, not compulsory.  Assuming it were compulsory that wouldn't preclude the importance of using a positive means to convey a message whenever possible...

You don't tell a person "where they sucked",  you use tact to tell them where they can improve..

What becomes problematic is twofold in SS however.  When those who ask for critiques don't want them, and when those that aren't mature enough to critique, (or even know what the term critique means) attempt to get their 2 cents worth in..

Anyway, I came here to learn about the Million Dollar vocal secret.  I can't sing.

What is it ?

_________________
Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

What is it?

It is this use of positive language, positive critique that gets better results in the studio that helps the singer to improve. The results are worth millions because the song gets recorded and sounds good enough to send out to the radio stations where the public can hear the song and then go and buy the CD. Its is the sales profits made from selling these CD's that makes millions. Its is the artist becoming popular through CD sales and touring around performing at the concerts which also brings in big bucks and which also helps CD sales which in turn helps those millions to keep pouring in.

It is the above which all started in the studio or where ever ...That made the singer improve enough to the point that there talent became good enough to sell and make profit.

Its is this positive critique that provided improvment in the singers singing ability and showmanship and total performance which in turn made them good enough to sell to the public, and those sales produced millions.

Critiquing technique, and other aspects of etiquette are valuable social tools that ALL adults should learn.  How to be honest, & more importantly, when it's OK NOT to keep an opinion to ourselves... What we learn is that "the truth" often hurt's, so we should keep opinion's to ourselves, and instead lie. There's little place for this in "Critique", it's the learning of a new skill, that goes against our grain much of the time. We must learn how to present constructive criticism to others. Criticism of this type, in our culture today normally is retorted with "Who asked you for your opinion?", or "The nerve of you to say that to me".. Or, (although Critique was asked for in public, we learn we've inadvertently hurt someones feelings for two reasons).. 1)  They don't know what Critique means, and as importantly 2) We don't know what Critique means, nor do we often have the skill involved to Critique..

So often we fall prey to this damned Politically Correct world we live in that just is conducive so much of the time to what we refer to as "White Lies", shutting our mouth, however often feeling the desire to be honest with at least somebody we feel comfortable with,  we'll say to our friend (instead of a performer regarding the person asking for a critiques lack of ability), "God, John Doe really has a pitch and meter problem, he sucks"... We often aren't so nice when we present this behind his back, yet it's OUR problem much of the time, because we don't know how to be honest to a person that has every right to say (assuming this get's back to them),  

"Why are you telling other's about my problem behind my back ? Didn't I ask for Criticism in order to improve ? I asked you to offer ME what would've helped me.. You appear to be too much of a coward to say that to my face Kappy.. I made it easy for you, I ASKED for the :C:"...

and realistically, if we know how to give a Critique, we should never feel the need to carry the onus when the performer throws a tantrum, because he too, is a product of this Politically Correct society where "All are equal" meaning A 10+++++++ for all, anything else show's bias, descrimination, or just that we don't like the person we give the lower rank too... and THAT's really sad in Critique setting !  Yet it's what's instilled in us from a young age in our culture, and this is paradoxical to the Critiquing concept. Giving just 9's and 10's to a person who believes you, when you aren't being sincere is lying. Regardless of why you are doing it. You aren't helping them artistically. If anything, you are hurting them.

Critique, SHOULD be constructive, it's usually what we don't tell a person that's hurting them, however if we don't know how to tell them, that's OUR fault.. In that case we likely should just be commenting, not Critiquing at all. If we like the person, they don't deserve our lies, meaning we conceal what it is they need to know in order to help them improve, (assuming they request a Critique). Critique is a difficult process for most, The presentation does take thought, how to be "Constructively honest" isn't something most of us learn today. It's also not an area that's nurtured assuming we do have such an ability; More than not, helpful efforts will be met with "Mind your own business"  Critiquing really challenges this, A thought out Critique is NOT "negative", it's an honest attempt at helping someone assuming our efforts aren't ego-driven, and the motive is not to show OUR skill and upstage the performer to the public reading the critique, and replies, alike.  The honest Critique might be the Up-Down-Up type (well thought out) composition, but it MUST not be all sugar-coated at the expense of leaving out constructive help regarding where the person can improve, the problem many have with critiquing really lies in the fact that in our politically correct world, it get's instilled in us that "IF we can't say something nice, don't way anything at all".  Unfortuneately, this concept trickles into area's of Critiquing, but the fact is we ARE being nice when we offer HONEST help to another musician that's asking for help.. It's fear of sounding "judgmental", "hypercritical", "not minding one's own business", that hurt's the process when we are met with the individual asking for critique (that so much of the time doesn't even know the definition of the term "Critique".)  When this happens, it only reinforces our own insecurity, because when we critique a person, it's NOT an easy process, it's NOT a one-upping process, for these reasons, it SHOULD (IN MY OPINION) be a private exchange, and dialogue between TWO and only two people in this type environment..NOT the whole singer's showcase.

(OK,  I can't proof read this,  I'm shot, but just feel like yacking from my soapbox:) .. However I do mean every word I say...Oftentimes etiquette instilled in us, poses a harsh contrast to the process of "Critique"... First thing that comes to many people mind is

"C"= You are insulting the performer, and hurting their feelings because in essence you are telling them what you think is ugly about them....

I find this VERY VERY sad


Just a thought....

Let's view things a bit differently

"The Million dollar PERFORMING ARTIST'S secret" is really others the artist meet's along the way that nurture his interest, and help him grow"

This isn't always positive SOUNDING, nor is it the sweet and superficial process we see post after post in SS...Noone will come out ahead IN REAL in terms of singing ability UNLESS someone's willing to tell them (assuming the request C), what they aren't doing correctly !..  Critique isn't for the delicate ego..   Yet constructive HONEST criticism, and the careful analysis, along with proper suggestions on how a person can improve, things the artist CAN'T POSSIBLY discern himself... Is really the Million dollar secret.

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".