Re: [Harp-L] Big River followup

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

1. The musical director is your boss.

2. Evaluate the criticism. Perhaps the content of it is valid, perhaps not. But try to separate the content from the manner of delivery.

3. I would talk to the director privately, not in front of everyone, which will only challenge his/her leadership. 

This can be very tricky. Best to start with a statement of intent to do the best job possible, and welcome helpful feedback. 

Only then should you attempt to broach the manner in which you feel you've been ill-treated. 

If the director feels that you're lacking in some area of musical education or experience, draw him/her out about that. Ask what you can do to get a better footing in these areas. You might mention - in passing and without stressing it - your existing training and experience, by way of defusing any negative assumptions on the director's part. It's possible that s/he is assuming that because you're a harmonica player that you're lacking in these areas, but that may not be the case.

It could be that s/he is going through some crisis that's making him/her short-tempered and that you're on the receiving end. But I wouldn't make that suggestion. Address your actual work in a matter-of-fact manner, always with the stress on what you can do to be better in the situation.

Not easy, and possibly not pleasant, but, well . . . .

W~
 
Winslow Yerxa
President, SPAH, the Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica
Producer, the Spring 2014 Harmonica Collective
Author, Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5
            Harmonica Basics For Dummies, ASIN B005KIYPFS
            Blues Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-1-1182-5269-7
Resident Expert, bluesharmonica.com
Instructor, Jazzschool for Music Study and Performance


________________________________
 From: Robert Hale <robert@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-L list <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx> 
Sent: Friday, April 18, 2014 10:47 AM
Subject: [Harp-L] Big River followup
 

As a member of the pit band for theater

   1. How much will you accept a Musical Director "talking down to you"?
   2. When it feels like a school teacher scolding a bad child, how would
   you handle it?

In the balance is the desire for a good referral to future projects.

Robert Hale
Spiral Advocate (Fanatic!)
Learn Harmonica by Webcam
http://www.youtube.com/DUKEofWAIL
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