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Re: My playing problem. Yours?

Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2010-05-30 14:07

You don't say what the criticism is. The most appropriate overall reaction to the criticism might depend on what it's about. Is something in your playing attracting a lot of negative attention? Too loud, too aggressive, inaccurate rhythm? Does it center on more subtle musical issues - blend? Articulating with the section? Do the complaints have a personal edge that could be a reaction to some behavior you may not be conscious of? Many of these things don't necessarily become obvious during individual practicing. Is the criticism coming from one person in your section, many other players or is it coming from the conductor? Is it generally directed at your section but you take it personally?

Constructive criticism can be a useful tool, whether it comes from someone else or from ourselves. It's essentially what a good teacher does. You can learn from constructively offered criticism if you find that it really addresses some area of your playing that needs improvement. Criticism that is meant simply to establish someone else's superiority (real or not) is more about the other person than about your playing and can be politely ignored if it doesn't address an actual weakness in your own playing.

The key is that you need to be self-aware and self-critical enough to know when someone has pointed to an area that you could improve. So listen to the criticism and evaluate it, and if it points to a possibility of real improvement, pursue it in a positive way.

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