Giving and receiving feedback is an essential part of becoming an artist. We learn not only by doing, but reflecting, asking for constructive criticism, and experimentation. All singers will have, at some point, been on the receiving end of feedback that is unwanted, unhelpful, or opinion stated as fact.
Liz Lerman, a choreographer, developed a method in the 90s for giving and receiving useful feedback on anything you do, from singing to baking. The method emphasises the value of dialogue and gives the artist a degree of control in how they receive feedback. The Critical Response Process (CRP) requires everyone to fill a certain role (artist, responder, or facilitator) and to work within the CRP’s 4-step framework. For intentional feedback sessions, the CRP works wonders, but what about in daily life when you’re giving and receiving feedback from people unfamiliar with the process?
Thinking about a performance, for example, we can take inspiration from CRP and apply it in 2 ways:
1. AS A RECEIVER OF FEEDBACK (ARTIST)
IN LEARNING SITUATIONS:
Be clear with what you want to focus on regarding the feedback. Asking for general feedback can give varied responses, some of which may be useful, but can also divert your attention from your current focus and the feedback you really hope to hear.
You should always ask open questions, not ones that elicit a yes/no answer, such as:
- How did you perceive my character?
- What are your thoughts on my ornamentation?
- I am focusing now on my dynamics, what did you notice about my dynamic range?
- How did you experience my emotional transitions?
IN THE *REAL* WORLD:
Everyone and their cat will have an opinion to give you, it is for you to decide how to receive that information, and what to do with it. Dealing with unsolicited advice can be annoying, especially when also trying to be professional. A good response could be:
- Thank you for your advice/feedback/idea. I’ll consider if that’s right for me.
This gives you the power to choose whether to accept and reflect on their feedback, or dismiss it.
2. AS A GIVER OF FEEDBACK (RESPONDER)
In both learning situations, and the *real* world, as a giver of feedback, you have a responsibility to the receiver to be honest but respectful. The feedback you give should be useful to the receiver and based on facts, impressions perceived, and actions.
Find something positive to say by stating what was meaningful, stimulating, surprising, evocative, memorable, touching, unique or compelling for you about the performance.
You can also ask questions of the performer which may prompt them to focus on something more specific, which can then guide your questioning. When tasked with getting additional information from the performer, ask informational, factual or neutral questions, these should be open questions, not ones with a yes/no answer. You may have a specific question, or may have a line of questioning, designed to gather more information, such as:
- What was your process for preparing this aria?
- What were the most important ideas you wanted me to understand, and where were they happening in the aria?
- What did you want to convey about your character, and to what extent do you think you achieved it?
- How can I support you in your development of this aria?
- What made you choose this tempo?
If you have an opinion about something the performer did, you can give it, but only under one condition. You should always phrase opinionated feedback like this:
- I have an opinion about [costuming], would you like to hear it?
This gives the receiver the power to accept or decline your opinion before it is given. They might value your opinion because it’s something they haven’t thought about, equally they might be focusing on something different and this would then be a distraction, or they could already be aware this is something that needs attention. Whatever the reason, the receiver needs to have the option to say yes/no to opinions, which makes the open dialogue safer for givers and receivers.
Feedback is a necessary part of any profession, with these few tips, giving and receiving feedback should become an easier and more enjoyable process!