As a producer, the feedback I give in studio sessions falls into three main categories.
- Specific, actionable guidance. (Correct a note or rhythm, guide a phrase, suggest a tonal change.)
- Vague, meaningful guidance. (“I think you have a better take.” “Not quite where we want it.”)
- No guidance. (Just restart from the same spot, with no advice.
Effective recording sessions are as much about pacing as anything else, so the advice you guidance you give has to be based on creating the tempo you want in the studio.
This type of guidance can be adapted to the rehearsal, as well. Most educator/conductors skew almost 100% into category 1 – specific, actionable guidance. But an effective, efficient, fast-paced rehearsal can benefit just as much from guidance in the other two categories.