Praising a student is easy. Giving critical feedback can be much tougher.I mean, how can we call their attention to the things that don't sound great, while still building up their confidence?Are feedback sandwiches (praise-criticism-praise) the answer? Or do we just praise their efforts? Or compliment mediocre work anyway?A 2014 study provides some clues, and highlights one specific ingredient that is important to include in whatever feedback we give students, that could make them feel more empowered and likely to not only accept our feedback but act on it too.Get all the nerdy details: How to Give Students Critical Feedback Without Crushing Their Confidence--Why do things sound better at home than they do on stage?If you’ve been confused (and frustrated) by the inconsistency of your performances, I put together a FREE 4-minute quiz called the Mental Skills Audit, which will help you pinpoint your mental strengths and weaknesses, and figure out what exactly to adjust and tweak in your preparation for more consistently optimal performances.You can take the Mental Skills Audit online at bulletproofmusician.com/msa. It’s 100% free, takes only 4 minutes, and you’ll get a downloadable PDF with a personalized breakdown of where you stand in six key mental skill areas, plus curated articles that will help you adjust and tweak your preparation for more consistently optimal performances.Take the quiz here: bulletproofmusician.com/msa