guitarhabits

photo by Tiny Froglet
My daughter is now 20 months old and our second child is on the way. I love spending time with my daughter and I very often do, but as parents know children have a tendency to occupy all your time.

When I play guitar, my daughter wants to play guitar also. I bought her a little guitar of her own, but she wants to play on my guitar when I play it. That is just great. :) I don’t mind, but my practice workouts become a little difficult this way. Therefore and for a lot of other reasons I designed the Zen Guitar Practice Workout.

Zen is more and more finding its way into the western world along with minimalism and new lifestyle designs.

A major benefit for all who are seeking a different and more effective way to self improvement and development.

Zen is also very good to apply when it comes to guitar practice.

Guitar practice is in itself a form of meditation. You need to stay focused on what you practice and not let your mind wander.

It is about concentrating on your fingers, your technique, letting go off tension, recapturing yourself, letting it happen, continually shaping and getting back to the essence of your practice.

Zen Guitar Practice is a way to combine the rules of Zen Buddhism and the rules of guitar practice into your workout.

Here are the steps to benefit:
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photo by Karynsig
Isn’t it great when you can just focus on guitar playing without distractions.

Distractions are not only caused by Internet, TV and the people around you, but also from having too much stuff.

Too much gear (fx, pedals, etc.) or even thinking about gear will distract you from playing. Too much recording stuff, mixers and outboard effects will distract you from creating.

The last few weeks I got rid of a lot of stuff I haven’t used in over a year. I sold and gave away: Pickups, multi-effects, wires and pedals. I’m also busy scanning the tablature from my guitar magazines and books I will intend to use. The magazines and books will go away. It is great to know what you have and use what you need. I feel liberated.

I don’t say you need to lose every lovely piece of gear you have, Read More »

photo by Nicki Varkevisser
Most of us want to work less. We want a four day workweek, a three day workweek or a four hour workweek. We all want to have more time to play guitar and to enjoy life to the fullest, but when it comes down to it I often see that people resist and make excuses.

Why? Because they don’t want to compromise. They don’t want to give up their stuff, their luxurious lifestyle for freedom.

People have become addicts of a consumerist society and choose materialism over freedom, materialism over happiness, materialism over spending real time with their children, friends and family, materialism over doing what they love most, materialism over risking.

Risking? Risking what? A life where they can’t afford a second car, a bigger TV, a bigger house, more guitars, more expensive equipment, more stuff. That’s not a risk, that is salvation.

Release yourself from an addictive mind. Let’s choose freedom over materialism. Let’s choose to do real things. Not buy things, but do things.

So what are those real things? Read More »

photo by Ivan Zuber
A few days ago I saw a great singer songwriter on TV. He was playing his repertoire, talking about his life and all the songs he had written over the years.

I was all ears and loved every minute of it. While listening to his wisdom and beautiful melodies something struck me.

It was one of those wake up calls when suddenly you can see things very clearly. I had a strong urge to change some things in my life again. I needed to get my priorities straight and get back to what is most important in my life. I have done so.

Sometimes with everything that life has to offer, you get lost or off track. You are distracted or tempted by things that look interesting and sound amazing at first. Before you know it you are in over your head. You taste, but end up tasting too much of it. It does not fulfill you anymore.

It does no longer match your identity. Times are changing and so are you. You grow, experience, learn many different things that can change the course of your life. You might become confused about your current situation. You might doubt your job, your lifestyle, the way you play guitar, the band you play in, the music you play, your role as a musician, what you need to practice, how you spend and manage your time, what you want in your life and what you don’t want in your life.
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