Answer A or B on each question then tally up the amount of A's or B's at the end.
So you've asked a buddy to collaborate on a song with you. You have the song already fully worked out before you ask him to join in and he supplies his part.  You then decide there might need to be some changes to the feel or arrangement.  Do you then say to your collaborator.
 

A/ I've done my part differently to how it was, have a listen now and make necessary changes that you need to.
B/ Consult your collaborator discussing the changes you'd like to see, ask what is possible at this stage and what isn't and take this into account before making any alterations.

 
Your collaborator has provided you with his part and given details of what went on during the production of it and how to put it together for the final mix.  Do you then:
 

A/ Ignore him because you know best or consult with a passer-by as to what to do with it.
B/ Consult with the collaborator first explaining to him what you've done to fit it nicely in the context of the full production and taken any heed of his feedback.

You finish your full production and decide it's ready for release.  Do you:
 

A/ Decide that 'this is right' because I did it and just put it up anyway.
B/ Consult with ALL those that have taken part and waited for the thumbs up from all involved first.

Your collaborator has decided he didn't like the treatment you gave to his contribution.  He says "I don't mind doing stuff for you, in fact it's my pleasure, and I'm not bothered what you do with it after I'm done but I would appreciate if you took me off the credits because that is nothing I would have put out".  Do you then...
 

A/ Get pissy, blank the collaborator and tell him 'if that's the way you feel', and think to yourself, he'll never work with me again anyway.
B/ Say I appreciate your help here but I really want to go with my vision here so if you really don't mind of course I'll take your credit off and thank him for his help.

 
 
If you have answered mostly B's, then congratulations you have what it takes to make great collaborations work.
 
 
If you answered mostly A's....Hi Bapu!!!
 

Hi,

B
B
A
B

I directed many plays and a couple of films, and am working on another. The actors, in them, of course, ARE the ones that will make this go or not go, so you have to take their imput and add/adjust it to match the grand vision.

The hardest part as a director? You have a script, a vision, and sometimes it seems like it is being blown apart ... and that is NOT the case ever ... since no one has seen it anyway! That would be an ego thing ...!

In the end, however, after all rehearsals, the director might want to do something else, because it smoothes out the staging, and the filming, and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. In general, there are more tools "outside" the actors, that can make something work than otherwise ... for example, an aside, or frown, might not work if you catch it directly ... but in the background, not as the main focus, and right there, it adds to the completeness of the moment. This, is the hardest subtlety that most musicians are not willing, or capable of working with when discussing their music ... they are way too rock'n'roll minded, or popular music minded to see a bit more beyond what they want to see ... which makes them think and feel that they know music better ... well, their song, they do, and I would not question that!

Both film, theater, and music, are, for the most part collaborative arts ... but in the end, a lot of these collaborations tend to wash down and dilute each and every person's abilities to the point where the eventual result suffers. This is where a good "director" can help things ... but it is hard even for actors ... who like to say ... I am that character ... when all you are doing is changing the tshirt, or the shoes and you taking a left step instead of a right step. In the end, those details don't matter ... but your attitude and attention to the detail and work, will define your level of professionalism ... not even your compulsory comments about what someone else sees! ... there is one tree in the middle and you are over there and others are not on the same spot ... expecting them to see the same thing ... is not only wrong, it is naive and childish!

Bapu is tough ... I think he likes to have his way ... and that's that ... but being a musician that plays bass, I think he finds he has to play 2nd fiddle and I believe his ability and talent to see a better/higher perspective for a piece of music, might enter into the scene, and prevent him from just concentrate on the bass part ... he is mechanically sound and very good in his engineering of things ... and yeah ... I suppose you have to be all A's ... to get things done sometimes!

Most real "artists" do not compromise ... it is their work. End of story. So, if Bapu is making the claim ... I'm ok with it!

Some really good and thoughtful input there Pedro.

Well, if I was collaboratin' with him, I'd just do what he asked and say thanks every time he asked something of me because I'm getting the free usage of his multitude of plug-in's, mastering skill, and equipment.

But that's just how my feeble brain works. ;)

Bub


Well, if I was collaboratin' with him, I'd just do what he asked and say thanks every time he asked something of me because I'm getting the free usage of his multitude of plug-in's, mastering skill, and equipment.

But that's just how my feeble brain works. ;)

Of course.
 
What was I thinking?
 
All hail the chosen one, I'm sorry I was ungrateful for being given such an opportunity in the first place.
 
Hey Bapu, sorry mate, I'll eat a yard of your worst and complain if it's an inch too short in future.

:-)

I am still waiting for my collaboration to come to fruition..
 
Is there a "C" choice?

musicman100


I am still waiting for my collaboration to come to fruition..

 
You could have been screwed up and thrown in the bin by now.
 
It will still be a priviledge for you though.
 
 
Have you tried paying him to appear?
 
 
It's worth it at any price, you could end up in the Songs forum with your name in lights under the banner of 'The Coffee House Collaborators' if you play your cards right.
 
It doesn't get any betterer than that.

I'm sensing a little disquiet in this thread.

musicman100
 
Is there a "C" choice?

Yes, there's a choice "C" for sure if that helps.