1+1=More Greater

Introduction

Essay in response to thoughts on conflict in artistic collaboration.

Walt Runge 4-20-2020

In any artistic collaboration, the more people that touch the project, the greater the potential for a larger, diversified, and enthusiastic audience. There are times when we work alone. That can be very productive. At some point, it always seems appropriate to let someone else in.

There are many examples of this:

I began recording what was to become a collection of 32 songs in the summer of 2016. I began this project writing, recording, and playing everything myself out of necessity. I recorded the original tracks in my project studio. I knew that the records I compiled from this pool of music would be better served if I brought them to the studio of my favorite recording engineer. I knew if he would touch these songs, they would grow. His superior equipment and his amazing ears would expand the appeal of the music. (1 person) I learned after a few sessions to keep my mouth shut and let him do his job. I always employ the skills of a great composer, player and friend, to record the saxophones. (2 people) I learn a lot every time he is with me. Later, as we neared the completion of the project; I was able to group a majority of the songs into two albums ready for release, with half the third album still in the can! The engineer suggested I bring in a rhythm section to record on two of the tunes that required a little extra glue for full effect. Great idea! (4 peeps) I required a trumpet and trombone to round out the horn section on a few of the tunes. (5 and 6) Keyboards can only do so much in creating some sounds. Now, in 2020, the first of those albums is being promoted by a radio promoter AND a team of marketing experts. (12 people) I cannot stress enough my willingness to allow criticism, suggestions, guidelines from all of these people to influence my decisions when creating songs that will bear my name.

Every group of musicians that I have enjoyed great success playing with have been diverse, demanding, and sometimes argumentative individuals. This makes for terrific music.

A friend of mine called me from the recording studio when a very famous singing group was working on a record in Philadelphia. He was working as a consultant and guitarist, for he had co-written some of the music that this group was now re-recording. “Walt, there are five producers on this project AND the vocal arranger for another extraordinary singing group is here; working with a quartet of singers!” Lesson learned.

I was called into a session as a pianist. I was to record two songs with a singer. The first song played itself really. The second, however, needed to be arranged differently. Even the singer could not make the melody fit right. It did not feel natural. I simplified the arrangement on the piano and recorded what I came up with. The singer and the composer took this arrangement home to consider it. Fortunately, the composer liked what became of the song. We returned in a week; this time with a full rhythm section. I added the string arrangement and the composer went home very happy.

There have been times when I went to the studio to record keyboards and ended up coaching a singer through the session to ensure a great vocal track. The engineer worked through holes in the performance that I could not hear. At times, I let someone else coach me through my performance. People don’t listen to the notes I play. They hear the spirit and emotion I bring to the song.

Most times you walk into a session and there is a whole room full of people participating in creating the atmosphere. Everyone in the room must be considered and if they wish to do so, allowed to directly contribute to the sound. Sometimes there is only the composer, the engineer, myself, and maybe some tracks that have been recorded thus far. Do we not listen to everything? That is our job, you know. To Listen. Ask the writer for the back story behind the composition, and really listen. You will play, or sing, or arrange, or guide, or mic the instruments, or coach, or press play, or bring the sandwiches. But if you do not do your job and listen, none of this is valid. Listen to each other. Be patient and attentive. Work quickly if needs be, but not without considering everyone and everything in the room. Considering what seems to be a horrible, foreign idea, may be the one thing THE SONG is asking you for. Afterall, what could be more exciting than someone pulling a sound out of you that even you could not have expected? I can only hope that I leave on tape something that I have not played for anyone else – EVER!

I believe that ideas come to us hoping to be brought to life. If we do not breathe life into the idea, the idea will go find someone willing to listen. What if the other person in the room, sharing the responsibility of birthing this idea, hears something I missed? What if I dismiss someone who has heard clearly what the idea is saying? What if my contribution to the project is based in ego and not resting on the spirit of collaboration and exploration? Trying an idea that is disqualified only after careful consideration eliminates possibilities and narrows the path toward great art. Even after the artist is done with this process, the new creation is handed over to the audience for scrutiny and . . . listening! Shall we ignore one other person in the room if they ask us to try something new, before there is an audience? This is our chance to take steps toward something miraculous! At the end of the day, if one person feels the song is ready it will be enjoyed by a few people. If two people feel the song is ready, the audience doubles. If three people like it, the audience is not tripled, but exponentially increased. 6…12…16…20…

what next?

Conclusion

At times I wear many hats in my artistic endeavors. I simply choose not to if the fates allow. If I approach collaboration as exploration, I can avoid tumbling into a bear pit. I can avoid letting a great idea escape me. I can encourage a fellow artist to continue the search on those days that are mucky and painful. I can keep trying to create something extraordinary. . .

and rely on talented people to help me.