VOCALS
SINGING CRITIQUE: GIVING AND RECEIVING WITH GRACE | Renée Maranan
Let’ s be real: there’ s no guaranteed way of delivering honest feedback that avoids hurt or discomfort. Criticism can be especially painful for us as vocalists, because our instruments are literally embedded into our bodies and intrinsically tied to our identities. But part of what it means to be a team is to help one another grow, and honest feedback is part of that process. So here are some suggestions for us as singers to give criticism and also receive criticism with grace.
Give feedback with purpose. When you approach a fellow vocalist with a desire to offer a critique on their singing, pause for a while and ask yourself – what am I trying to accomplish? Will this piece of feedback impart knowledge, improve skill, or build trust? Will my choice of words offer encouragement, empowerment, or compassion? Does this feedback and my planned delivery of it convey the love and kindness of God to this person?
Receive feedback with confidence – not in your talents, but in God’ s unconditional love. It’ s human nature to desire approval. When we are met with the opposite, it’ s also human nature to feel discouraged. Remember that your value as a singer, as a servant, and as a human being, is not determined by the world, but by the Lord. Applause does not change God’ s love for us, and neither does critique.
Give feedback with specific, actionable suggestions.“ You sound shrill” is not an actionable suggestion, nor is“ you’ re just too pitchy.” When giving feedback to a fellow singer, try to talk specifically about what they could do to improve, rather than simply pointing out their flaws. Even if you’ re not sure what specific suggestions to give, it’ s helpful to at least phrase the feedback in the affirmative.“ Try going for a warmer sound” would be an example, and“ maybe we can practice that song together so you can really master the melody” would be another.
Receive feedback knowing that you are capable of growth. A singer who believes that they are as good as they’ re ever going to be will most likely feel crippled by any form of critique. But a singer who believes they have room to grow will most likely have the capacity to reflect on critique and learn from it. If someone tells you that you aren’ t singing something correctly or well, try adding the word“ yet” to the end of that phrase –“ I’ m not hitting that high note … yet” or“ I can’ t seem to get a nice rich tone … yet.” That one qualifier changes the phrase from a judgment to a possibility.
Give feedback with humility. As a vocal instructor, I have spent decades learning about the human voice, and all those years have taught me that feedback must be delivered strategically and humanely in order for it to be productive. And yet, I am astonished at the number of individuals, non-singers and singers alike, who recklessly offer critique to vocalists with absolutely no qualifications, and with hardly any regard for how their words might impact the person on the receiving end. When giving feedback to fellow singers, we need to reflect on what advice we are qualified to give, acknowledge the limitations in our expertise, and let humility temper our words. There are plenty of critics in the world, especially in this era of like buttons and comment sections. Let’ s support each other. Let’ s uplift one another.
Receive feedback with discernment. When faced with criticism, ask yourself,“ Is this person qualified to instruct me about my singing? If they are, how can I learn from them? If they are not, who can I turn to that can actually help me?” If the source of the critique is someone with expertise, use it as an opportunity to learn – ask follow-up questions, prompt them for specific suggestions, even request mentorship. But if the source is someone with no expertise, feel free to get a second opinion from someone who is an expert and who can actually help you. This isn’ t to say that we should disregard people’ s feedback if they are not an expert in the voice. Rather, we should look for the learning that happens beyond the critique, whether it be from its primary source or from a secondary source like a voice teacher.
Feedback isn’ t always easy to give and receive, but it’ s essential to our growth as vocalists and worship ministers. So, singers, let’ s become like iron sharpening iron, while also remembering to be vessels of God’ s mercy, tenderness, and grace.
Got a singing question? Send an email to hello @ reneemaranan. com with“ WM Vocals Question” in the subject line!
Renée Maranan Renée Maranan is a vocal instructor, voice teacher trainer, and life coach, with over 20 years of experience working with singers, vocal instructors, and performers from all over the world. For more vocal help, visit her www. reneemaranan. com or follow her on Instagram(@ reneemaranan).. www. ReneeMaranan. com Instagram @ reneemaranan
34 December 2025 Subscribe for Free...