Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Non-Constructive Criticism

Well, got a nice little blow to my ego this evening. And about my voice too, which was where I thought I'd been making the most progress too. Sometimes I wish people would just grow up a little bit.

This week has been a tense one. I know I have already mentioned it, but it continued today. We spent over an hour this morning in class just talking about things that students were frustrated with. And I believe its all well and good to get things off your chest, but it devolved into kind of a bitch fest. I think that everyone has just hit the point in the term where they want hard results, and to be working on bigger projects, and we aren't quite there yet. Plus we have just come back from a break, which is always tough.

Moving on from there though we actually had some very productive rehearsal time today. Then after class and band a few of us decided to head to the pub. Wednesdays are long days and everyone generally needs it. I like that it has become a tradition most weeks, as we don't always get time to just sit around and chat with each other.

Inevitably talk turned to our course. And at some point someone started talking about our voice teacher. Now, most of us love Maria. I feel like I have been getting quite a lot out of her lessons. I know I have more stamina than when I started the term, and I am much stronger through most of my range. We have also been working on my mix, and just recently my belt.

I don't want to go into things too much, but in the course of complaining about our voice teacher this guy mentioned that he thought that she wasn't helping anyone and in fact there were certain people on the course he thought were damaging their voices. This guy often talks a big game, so to call his bluff we asked him to elaborate (stupid). He of course then said that really the only person he meant was ME......... Right. And then he went on at some length to tell me exactly what he thinks of my progress.

I am actually quite angry about this. I think it was inappropriate of him on several levels. First of all we are all still learning. And the song he specifically mentioned (Pulled, you know that one I was so proud of yesterday) is one that is new to me, I hadn't worked on with the Maria yet, AND I am still developing my belt. I think it is unfair of him to make that judgement, none of us are finished products and all of us are here to get better. But I also think it was cruel of him to say it to my face.

Ok enough venting.

I just want to have our evaluations soon. I need some solid feedback.

2 comments:

  1. Oh honey, I'm so sorry that happened to you. What a jerk. Austin Pendleton, who taught one of the two core undergrad acting classes at Yale and is a legendary teacher, never allowed students to offer critiques or suggestions about each other's work for exactly the reason you say: everyone is still learning and developing, as well as wrestling with the volatile balance of artist's ego and artist's insecurity, and very hurtful and potentially damaging things can be said. Maybe if there's another opportunity in the class situation to talk about what's on everyone's mind there'll be a chance to talk (in the group, with the teacher) about what are productive ways to support one another and what aren't, and what is and isn't helpful criticism to offer a fellow student.
    Or you could just give this guy your unvarnished and unsolicited opinion of how you think HE'S doing - what's sauce for the goose....! xoxo

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