Inspiration: Norah Jones talks about sensitivity to criticism

Part of GMA Summer Concert series in Bryant Park - photo by minwoo

Norah Jones still gets stung by jokes about her putting audiences to sleep, says Will Hodgkinson in Mojo.

"They call me 'Snorah,'" says the 30-year-old Grammy winner. "But that slow music touches people!" Having sold 37 million records, Jones doesn't see any reason to change her style now--not that she could if she wanted to.

"I realize my strengths," she says with a hint of resignation. "The truth is, I sing ballads. People like it when I sing ballads. I seem to have a way with them. And if the cool kids can't say anything nice about me, that's how it is."

Jones writes a lot of songs about longing and loneliness, which can be draining for her but cathartic for audiences. "It's probably how your dog feels when you go out of the door. We've all had that feeling, right?"

Still, Jones admits that criticism about her limited range does get to her.

"I'm too sensitive. All I have to do is pick up Newsweek and glance upon a bad review and it will crush me for a week. Some Joe Schmo writes a snarky comment in a blog and I'm destroyed."

But she quickly recovers. "I'm like, Oh, I make slow music. I guess that's okay. Maybe it's a good thing to sound like yourself."

I still remember with some fear all the critiques we were forced to endure in music school. Critiques that required us to perform solo, in small or large groups in front of a jury of our peers. Some of the comments were absolutely disheartening but you learned to take the criticisms in stride and apply what you learned from them. Somehow the impersonality of the web makes us more sensitive but the same lessons apply -- it's valuable to learn from those that dislike your work the most.

Article from The Week via Talent Develop Resources.

Norah Jones discography
Come Away with Me (2002)
Feels like Home (2004)
Not Too Late (2007)
The Fall (2009)

Of interest
Critical and Creative Thinking. Creative thinking is generally considered to be involved with the creation or generation of ideas, processes, experiences or objects; critical thinking is concerned with their evaluation.
Living abroad increases your creativity
10 Simple Ways to Instantly Boost Your Inspiration

Inspiration: Norah Jones talks about sensitivity to criticism

Part of GMA Summer Concert series in Bryant Park - photo by minwoo

Norah Jones still gets stung by jokes about her putting audiences to sleep, says Will Hodgkinson in Mojo. "They call me 'Snorah,'" says the 30-year-old Grammy winner. "But that slow music touches people!" Having sold 37 million records, Jones doesn't see any reason to change her style now--not that she could if she wanted to. "I realize my strengths," she says with a hint of resignation. "The truth is, I sing ballads. People like it when I sing ballads. I seem to have a way with them. And if the cool kids can't say anything nice about me, that's how it is." Jones writes a lot of songs about longing and loneliness, which can be draining for her but cathartic for audiences. "It's probably how your dog feels when you go out of the door. We've all had that feeling, right?" Still, Jones admits that criticism about her limited range does get to her. "I'm too sensitive. All I have to do is pick up Newsweek and glance upon a bad review and it will crush me for a week. Some Joe Schmo writes a snarky comment in a blog and I'm destroyed." But she quickly recovers. "I'm like, Oh, I make slow music. I guess that's okay. Maybe it's a good thing to sound like yourself."

I still remember with some fear all the critiques we were forced to endure in music school. Critiques that required us to perform solo, in small or large groups in front of a jury of our peers. Some of the comments were absolutely disheartening but you learned to take the criticisms in stride and apply what you learned from them. Somehow the impersonality of the web makes us more sensitive but the same lessons apply -- it's valuable to learn from those that dislike your work the most. Article from The Week via Talent Develop Resources. Norah Jones discography Come Away with Me (2002) Feels like Home (2004) Not Too Late (2007) The Fall (2009) Of interest Critical and Creative Thinking. Creative thinking is generally considered to be involved with the creation or generation of ideas, processes, experiences or objects; critical thinking is concerned with their evaluation. Living abroad increases your creativity 10 Simple Ways to Instantly Boost Your Inspiration