As an oboist, how should I manage the feedback and comments I receive?

Musicians, and oboists among them, receive feedback constantly, some comments are constructive but many others can be harmful so it is important to know how to manage receiving feedback from others.

How to manage feedback for oboists:

Whether you like it or not, a job in music, being something abstract and totally subjective, will undoubtedly expose you to routine criticism inside and outside your professional circle, not to mention the comments you may receive on social networks like Instagram or Facebook if you share your videos or auditions.

How should I handle the avalanche of feedback and comments from others? Some key pieces of advice will help you improve, especially when they come from professional oboists who are in tune with your playing and perception of music, but others can be harmful and contribute nothing.

First of all, it is advisable to get a mentor, coach or someone to help you filter comments and feedback, even a friend or colleague you trust. By developing a relationship with a trusted advisor in your field, you create a channel for the kind of feedback you need and can use.

It’s much easier to grow through advice when you receive criticism that you value from someone you trust. Even music professionals who are at the top of their field have mentors who help them grow. Ideally, find someone or several people you trust and be willing to listen to their ideas for growth.

It is also important to learn to “shelve” some feedback: criticism may be good advice, but it may not be timely for where you are in your creative process or career path. Find a way to mentally or physically store good ideas for a later time. This allows you to accept ideas and comments graciously, and then find a way to take advantage of them when the time is right for you.

Being aware of today’s new trends and tools in an online music school will also help you make the most of the needs and opportunities.

In the case of oboists, the sound of the oboe reeds can also be criticized a lot and not so much the technique. If this is the case and you need a second professional opinion, do not hesitate to ask me or contact me through any of these methods: contact Medina Reeds.

Discover our reeds for the oboe:

Finally, it is important to learn to tune out the noise. Not all advice is worthwhile. Just as you have to develop an ear for music, you also have to develop an ear for criticism. If the comments don’t ring true to you, if they don’t resonate, sometimes the best habit is to ignore them and focus on your own growth.