What Is Technique Critique?

Technique Critique is a Cracking the Code feature for getting feedback on short, close-up clips of your playing. Instead of trying to diagnose everything yourself, you show us the motion or musical example that is giving you trouble and explain what you are trying to do.

There are two ways to ask for Technique Critique feedback: through the Cracking the Code platform or in the public forum.

Platform Technique Critique

Platform Technique Critique is included with every paid Cracking the Code membership. Upload your clips directly to the site, describe the obstacle, and receive a guaranteed response from the instructor team. You can continue the conversation, add new footage, and keep each critique organized in your Technique Critique library.

When you create a critique, you choose its visibility:

• Public critiques may appear in the public directory so other players can learn from them.
• Unlisted critiques stay out of the directory but can be shared with their direct link.
• Private critiques are accessible only to you and the instructor team.

Visitors can view a selection of public critiques, and a free account can browse the complete public directory. Some instructor feedback and discussion require a paid membership.

If finances are an obstacle, you can apply for a Cracking the Code Scholarship, which includes paid site access and Technique Critique.

Forum Technique Critique

You can also create a thread in the forum’s Technique Critique section and include publicly viewable video from a service such as YouTube. Forum critiques are public and community-driven. Instructors often participate, but an instructor response is not guaranteed.

Before you create a critique

Technique Critique works best when you provide a clear question and clear footage. The introductory motion tests in the Pickslanting Primer give you a useful starting point and enough shared terminology to describe what you are trying. You do not need to solve the problem or identify every joint motion before asking for help.

When you are ready, follow the filming and submission instructions in this Help section or open your Technique Critique library to begin.