The Feedback Loop: Finding Creative Opinions You Can Trust

Vague opinions are noise. Identify trustworthy ears to seek feedback that will actually help your compositions and mixes.

Seeking feedback about your songs while they’re still in development can be incredibly helpful. Hearing someone’s first impression, or having them point out an issue you may have overlooked, can lead to quick improvements. As composers, we’ve often listened to our developing work so many times that we can lose perspective, sometimes to the point where it’s hard to listen objectively anymore.

At the same time, you have to learn when to go against the tide, trust your gut, and do things your own way; this is what it means to be an artist. Finding this balance can be a challenge.

All Opinions Are Not Equal

A good place to start is to think critically about whose opinions are worth considering and whose are not. All opinions are not equal when it comes to advice, especially when you’re in the middle of composing. Some feedback can inspire you to make improvements, while other comments can leave you feeling deflated, with nothing constructive to take away.

When you’ve spent years learning how to write music, understand production, and the process of making a song from start to finish in the studio, it’s easy to forget that a lot of people simply don’t know how music is made. They may not be able to provide useful advice. For instance, if you play a friend a rough demo on your phone, they might not understand why it doesn’t sound as good as the songs they hear on the radio. They can’t envision the potential that the early version of your song might have. This is risky territory! I’ve made this mistake before; the feedback I got was both frustrating and eye-opening. I just don’t play unfinished music to friends who aren’t at least music enthusiasts anymore.

When you find a person or group of people happy to listen to your WIP (work-in-progress) tracks, who you trust, and whose opinions you find valid and valuable, hold on to them! These people are hard to replace. Building a trusting relationship of creative support takes time, but these trusted ears can become a valuable asset for your creative process. I have a select few people I turn to for this kind of advice, and I greatly value their help and support.

Defining the Feedback You Need

One thing I’ve learned to do before getting someone to listen to a WIP is to define the type of feedback I’m actually seeking. I know which stage of the production process the track is in, so I can identify the specific aspects that could benefit from a trusted opinion. Often, I’ll tell the person what I’d like them to consider, and what I am not looking for advice on, immediately before I hit play.

For example, I might say, “I’ve just finished editing the lead vocal, and everything’s recorded now. I still need to spend time on a mix, so I’m not looking for mix advice yet, but it’d be useful to hear your thoughts on the arrangement”. This approach also benefits the listener, as they know beforehand what to consider and comment on, helping them avoid feeling like they’re giving vague, unhelpful, or offensive feedback.

Finding and Nurturing Your Feedback Tribe

One excellent way to find people you can turn to for creative advice is to start a ‘sharing session’ group. Invite a few creative friends over, ask everyone to bring a piece of creative work they’re willing to share with the group, get some snacks and drinks, and enjoy an evening where everyone puts themselves out there by sharing a work-in-progress or a recently finished piece. It might not just be music - some might share something else, like a painting, poetry, a new project they’re thinking about, or anything else creative. The important thing is that everyone understands the expectations and brings positive and constructive energy to the situation. Ideally, this group meets up periodically, which also helps everyone stay accountable for making progress on their creative projects! I’ve been part of a few groups like this, and they are incredibly valuable. The events keep you motivated and are a fun way to catch up with friends.

For producers and mixing engineers in Aotearoa New Zealand, a membership to our Music Production Guild (MPGNZ) comes with the perk of being able to request free mix advice from one of their professionals. I’ve used this service before, and it was an incredibly valuable way to get quick and specific technical guidance, helping me to tighten things up in the late stage of the mix I was working on. I know this is an under-utilised service, so I’d encourage anyone who is a member (or might want to become a member) to use this perk.

The Final Decision Should Be Yours

Ultimately, this is about finding the right balance: learning to trust your creative instincts while also being open to considering some outside perspectives. The right people can help you identify blind spots to improve your work, whether they’re your trusted friends or an experienced professional. It’s important to remember that you are the final decision-maker, and once you’ve considered any feedback you’ve received, learn to trust your instincts and back yourself with conviction.

💬 Do you prefer feedback from fellow producers & composers (technical) or from listeners (emotional/vibe)? How do you balance those two perspectives?

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