What can we learn about creativity by watching The Beatles: Get Back?
I can’t have been the only one who devoured all eight hours of The Beatles: Get Back over Christmas. Peter Jackson’s edit serves up unseen archive footage of the band preparing for and performing their infamous gig on the rooftop of Abbey Road Studios in 1969.
As well as being an insight into the band’s friendships, chemistry and wardrobes, I found myself marvelling at their incredible yet surprisingly human creative process.
So, what can we learn about creativity from four of the most prolific and talented people the world has ever known? Let’s go.
1. Be consistent
Every day – rain, shine or hangover – the band turn up. They put the hours in, even if it is just noodling around without a clear aim. And it pays off.
TIP: Get yourself to your favourite creative spot and clock up some thinking hours.
2. Push through
In the early part of the documentary, the band appear to have absolutely nothing to go on. Yet by the end of the film, they have enough material for at least one and a half Beatles records and a handful of solo material.
TIP: Push through the early struggles and the initial shite, and you will be rewarded.
3. Be a fan
The band are super switched on to what’s going on around them. They’re constantly strumming, singing or talking about other musicians or even a TV show they saw the night before.
TIP: Be an enthusiastic fan of others in your field. Learn the mechanics behind why they nail their craft.
4. Edit, edit, edit
The first set of lyrics the band wrote for Get Back? They’re fine. The final result? Genius.
TIP: Edit constantly. Tweak relentlessly until you find the thing that fits.
5. Play
One of the real joys of the whole documentary was seeing how playful and funny the band are. They aren’t afraid to laugh at themselves.
TIP: Loosen up, don’t take it too seriously and have some fun.
6. Shake things up
Just as the band begin to tire of the songs they’re writing, Billy Preston enters the room. The pianist lifts the mood, shakes up the energy, and brings new life and personality to the songs.
TIP: Switch it up. Bring in a collaborator, get a change of scenery or try a new perspective.
7. Fail
Some of the songs the band members bring to the table come to nothing. We never hear of them again. Equally, some emerge half-formed and messy before being polished to gold.
TIP: Put your ideas out there no matter how imperfect or unclear. Something is bound to stick.
8. Know your rhythm
Are you all ideas and sparkle in the morning? Or do you pick up later in the day?
TIP: Know your rhythm and use it to your advantage.
9. Put your phone down
Apart from the odd partner or child, the Beatles had no distractions, no phones, no social media.
TIP: If you really need to get the ideas flowing, put your phone in a different room.
10. Practise
The 975th time the band play Let it Be, it sounds pretty spot on. Do they play it one more time? Absolutely.
TIP: The only way to get good at something is to graft. Write, draw, play every day.
Seen the documentary? Let me know what you thought on LinkedIn. Still waiting for your creative lightning to strike? Let me help.