Strength In Letting Go

I understand what it's like to have an idea-be it a song, or a concept of one-exactly as you want it (in your head), or a direction you want to take. You try to realize this idea; bring it to life with your co-workers, only to find this a challenge in & of itsef. And this could be for many reasons: apathy, uncooperation, difference of opinion or control. Still, you do your best to convey what you're feeling & how you want it expressed: taking time to direct the other's parts & making corrections or suggestions. But the others just aren't on board. Or they get angered; feeling you are trying to control things, so you approach them as if walking on eggshells. It's frustrating & can be heartbreaking or angering, for both sides. You sometimes just want to go off.

I was watching The Beatles: Get Back Chronicles-specifically the scene where Paul is trying to work out an idea with George-for the first time in its complete context, & as uncomfortable & awkward as it seems (for the spectator & participants) I can relate to both Paul's & George's side a little bit more:

I see how Paul handles George with kids gloves: instead of losing it, Paul addresses George calmly saying "I am trying to help you" instead of "shut up & do what I say", or "It's not sounding together" instead of "you're playing it wrong" (meaning: it's one thing to play the right notes but it's a whole other thing to place those notes where they belong; which is in sync with me). Paul wants the overall feel of the song "simpler", so they can "complicate it where it needs complications". All this while George is doodling on his guitar, I believe giving Paul half of his attention & he took what was said the wrong way; thinking Paul was calling him complicated. But what Paul means is; if you start with a simple canvas you give yourself room upon which to build & add dynamics.

I see in George a strengh & restraint of temper in the way he handles what can so easily be seeing (& taken) as harsh criticism. After he immediately shifts his concentration from the guitar to Paul, it seems as though he will do one of two things; argue or leave. Instead, he holds back, keeps composure & tells Paul "I'll play whatever you want me to play, or I won't play at all if you don't want me to...whatever it is...I'll do it." He wasn't trying to be difficult with this statement, he was actually being sincere; surrendering natural instinct as a guitarist to appease the aural perception of a director. This takes something alot harder to do than hold back, it takes letting go.

The way I see it, it's all a struggle of letting go: of one's control (Paul) & of one's nature (George). And I can relate to both. As a guitarist, I understand the want to inject as much of myself into a piece of work. As a songwriter, I understand the want to control the arrangement. But ultimately, it's about the betterment of the song, not one's personal fingerprint. And for all the frustration, argument & tension, the results are almost always worth it, because if there is that much passion put into the process then there's twice as much pumped out of the product. Overall, I've learned that displaying strength & tolerance as a musician & co-worker help both the song and the artist & that's why sometimes you have to be bigger than yourself first.