James, I do think that constructive criticism can be very helpful..I've been grateful for some I've had over the years from better singers than me, but I think you have to put it VERY tactfully if you are not to knock people's confidence.

I do also think that it is right to applaud enthusiastically, anyone who is brave enough to get up and sing in front of an audience,,,just for doing it. While, perhaps, everybody can sing to some extent, there is a point past which any individual can't progress...their own personal limit. yes, practice will improve anyone's playing or singing up to that limit. Consequently, some people will never get past 'painful'. It would be unkind and pointless to tell them they're painful (even if you don't put it that way). Constructive criticism yes, but that's only going to help up to a certain point.

Love Lynne