21 Jun 2021

So, one of your closest mates has figured out how to use GarageBand and now spends hours on end at night producing music? We’ve all been there.

Whether they’re an aspiring rapper, use more loops on the acoustic setting than Ed Sheeran or have a newfound love for creating grunge music, these friends are always going to want your opinion on what they believe is a masterpiece.

 

Let’s set the scene: It’s a Tuesday night, you’ve got an assignment due tomorrow and your friend has sent you their tracks from their SoundCloud. They ask for your opinion. You’ve listened to a couple of them and can’t stop cringing. You’ve left them on read, trying to say something that doesn’t hurt their feelings and creative expression. What do you do?

If they understand your humour, joke around with them

It's a bit more brutal but tell them they’ve got alternative career paths to focus on. They’ll see the humour behind it with a sprinkle of their truth. You’re not directly saying their music sucks and if they bring it up, they said it, not you!

Bring up what artists or bands they sound like

If you hear a bit of Aerosmith in their music or maybe more of a Calvin Harris house music vibe, let them know. They’ll be drawing inspiration from then onwards and you’ll be giving them a compliment about their sound, while not putting them up on a pedestal.

Try to give constructive feedback where possible

Hear an instrument that could be re-recorded or think of something that could better the overall track? Let them know! If they’re truly one of your mates, they’ll value your honest opinion whether they agree or disagree with you. 

Don’t shed any negativity

They’ve just spent hours and poured their heart and soul into this one track and mustered up the courage to share it with ya. Don’t be a negative nancy about it or as they say, if you haven’t got anything nice to say, don’t say it at all! They won’t trust you for feedback in the long run and that’s upsetting.

Be honest but don’t discourage them

The Beatles didn’t become famous overnight and your mate probably won’t be either. It takes time, effort and money to create a banging track, so encourage and protect them at all costs! 

Support your mates! They’ll get there one day, friends.