Getting feedback on music is one of the most important steps in the creative process and can save you hours of work in the wrong direction. Let’s be honest, one of the hardest things to learn as a musician is to listen to your own work objectively. You’ve probably spent months, even years, working on your musical project and now you’re too close to be able to listen to it truthfully. What you need is someone who isn’t emotionally attached to the project and who can bring a fresh pair of ears to help you identify its strengths and weaknesses.
Now, putting yourself out there may seem scary and challenging, but don’t worry, getting feedback on your music is a lot easier than you think and can lead to breakthroughs and even career-changing opportunities.
Here are some tips to help you get started 👇
1. The best places to get feedback on music
1.1 Online communities
Online communities can be excellent platforms for musicians to gather feedback and there are many dedicated to music where users are passionate and will take time out of their day to give you constructive criticism.
Here are some of the most popular ones that might be right for you:
- Reddit is a major platform for sharing and creating communities around particular topics. It is great for musicians and there are many subreddits dedicated to different areas of music, such as r/WeAreTheMusicMakers or r/ListenToThis, so it’s worth spending some time finding ones that resonate with you where you can showcase your work and receive constructive feedback.
- SoundCloud’s is an online music streaming platform that enables users to share and promote their music without going through a traditional record company. Its main aim is to bring artists and music fans together. It offers both free and paid subscription options, but even with the free version you can upload a number of your tracks and ask for feedback. For best results, you’ll want to follow both music creators and listeners, and even join groups dedicated to your musical genre.
Online communities are all about engaging in a positive way to create a supportive environment, so it’s important to contribute by giving your feedback to others. And you’ll probably find that they’re a great way to network with other musicians and industry professionals.
1.2 Social media
Social media may have a bad reputation these days, but if used correctly it can be an invaluable tool for an emerging artist. You have the world at your fingertips and can easily connect with a wide audience and receive immediate feedback on your music.
There are many different platforms, and it’s important to choose the ones where your target audience is most active so that you can engage with them directly and, over time, build a community around your music.
- Facebook is an excellent platform for artists and a good way of getting feedback is to join music-related groups, especially those with a large number of users. As always, it’s important to engage with the community in a respectful way and to avoid over-promoting your work.
- Instagram and TikTok are also great platforms and one of the best ways to get quick feedback is to make the most of features such as surveys and polls, as well as using hashtags appropriately to reach users specifically interested in your style.
1.3 In-person
One of the best ways to get feedback on your music is face-to-face, because it’s immediate and provides extra layers of information that couldn’t be conveyed in any other way. Great ways to get direct feedback are to attend open mic gigs and local jam sessions in your area, or seek out collaboration opportunities to get feedback from other musicians.
One of the best things about direct feedback, especially in the context of a show, is that it can give you a sense of what the audience prefers, allowing you to create work that resonates and is relevant in today’s competitive market.
1.4 Music blogs
Music blogs often focus on a specific genre or type of music, which means that the audience reading the blog is likely to be interested in the songs you offer. Their readers are often dedicated and actively engage with the content, so it’s a great way to get both feedback and exposure. When submitting, look for those that specialize in your genre and are open to showcasing emerging artists.
The best ways to ensure success are to stick to the submission guidelines and engage with the blog on other platforms such as Instagram and TikTok to build a relationship.
1.5 Professional music platforms
Professional music platforms, such as Groover, enable artists to submit their music to people who work in the industry, including journalists, blogs and record labels, ensuring feedback and even potential networking opportunities and connections within the industry.
Getting feedback from industry professionals with extensive experience in the music business can be invaluable in learning more about the practical aspects of your music. There’s nothing like getting some hands-on advice from someone who’s been down the same road as you to learn how to better navigate the industry.
2. How to ask for and receive feedback on music effectively
Now that you know where to go to get feedback, it’s time to find out how to ask for it.
To get pertinent feedback, choose the audience that’s right for you by picking people who have some understanding of the particular genre of music you’re creating.
When asking, be as specific as possible. What would you like feedback on? Whether it’s about the track in general or you have a question about the arrangement, production or lyrics, be as clear as you can so that the listener can concentrate on what matters to you. Bear in mind that working in isolation can lead to blind spots, so it’s important to remain open to feedback on something you might not have thought to ask about.
You’ll most likely be asking a number of people, so look for patterns in the feedback you receive. It’s generally wise to trust the majority, especially if it’s overwhelming.
Feedback is a powerful tool that shapes an artist’s career and ensures continuous improvement, so receiving negative feedback on something you’ve created shouldn’t be seen as a bad thing – you can use it positively to improve your current project and you can also incorporate it into your next creation.
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Send your music to industry pros 👇