JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Songwriter Message Forum PAYING FOR CRITIQUES

Hi Doug, How are you?

Basically it ALL boils down to your situation and what situation you want to be in.

As for the last part of your question -
"As I mentioned what makes that individual or individuals an expert or makes their opinin more important or better then someone who looks it over for free?"

I guess the best way to look at that would be with the most common situations.
Apply that to just about any other thing or profession and what do you get?
Very simple, someone is being PAID to look it over as opposed to FREE!

My free mechanic did a lousy job I guess he just wasn't into working on yet another car for nothing lol.. The guy who did my plumbing free? My free lawyer or doctor or worse yet dentist.
Now I know there are FREE estimates.... And I know that reviewing songs doesn't seem like a job or real work, but guess what? It is! That along with loads of other things people get get paid to do.

You are BUYING some ones time so you are going to get it... plain and simple.
I have done and do many many reviews all free. And I have helped a lot of people. which is so rewarding in itself. One time I did one for our friend Perry here and he later told me he later submitted it for a professional critique. He got back to me and said " MIke they hit on every single thing you had mentioned.

Still I can't afford to put in the kind of time I spent on Perry's song. It just took so long to sit and discuss and think into. But I knew he was shopping (seriously) And I wanted him to have every advantage he could. Besides he's a good guy! I still do them but can't hold up like I used to. Time is money for ALL of us...

You take what you can from a review and finally you decide what stays.goes or happens with the content of your song. But enough people saying the same things
is something to really consider. Again it's all about your situation and GOALS!

Marc really hit a GREAT point about using it ALL as part of the same package.
The co-writing, the lessons the gigs, the sessions the meetings, seminars etc..
That's all part of being critiqued in a way and certainly a HUGE part of learning, which is what the critique is mainly all about.

I think things like a reviewer HAVING to find something to point out is always a tricky issue. Like well it's my job so I better say something, usually on the negative but still maybe in a constructive way.
I would also say anyone throwing nothing but compliments and flowers at you professionally maybe not be a cool thing too. Who wants to PAY to be Put Down!
Finding the right people is important as it is with everything else.

I sent a song to TAXI years ago, perfect music for the add description. The guy says I LOVED the title "Orphanology" and the song.. However I looked it up.. what does it mean? I çouldn't find it in the dictionary..

HELLO! It's a made up word! And if you LOVE the title what are you LOOKING it up for??? I just happen to catch someone who is afraid you'll find alot of them in this business.

Now on the other hand I submitted a song for our Harriet.. I figured with her background more or less she would NOT get my material. I slightly doubted her insight on something that was not the average "I've read all the books I'm pitching songs now" approach! WELL she blew me away.. Nailed EVERYTHING! She has my total respect in every regard. If I was in a position to hire her to help me in a certain circumstance I would do it in a heartbeat...

There is a SKILL to constructive feedback & critiques. It's more than just knowing, or even doing. It about being like a teacher one second and then a friend or co-writer the next. A leader and yet an outside objective observer. Patience!

Sometimes I'll do one wonderfully.. I use EMOTION and I can enthuse anyone who gets near me BIG TIME even by email lol.. But that same EMOTION works against me sometimes and I'll miss my mark.
Harriet never misses, steady man! even keel.... She's got the knack!

Good Thread Guys!