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Guitar Playing, Free Time and Spontaneity in 2013

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Photo by Taylor McBride
Every morning when I wake up I read a chapter from the Tao Te Ching or something that is related to Taoism or Zen.

(The Tao Te Ching is a book about how to live a virtuous life and it’s amongst the most translated works in world literature)

When I finished reading I meditate on the wise words of Lao Tzu so I can put it to practice in my daily life.

I use the app Insight Timer for meditating, because it’s got some nice bells to start and finish my meditation session and it shows all the people from around the globe meditating with me at the same time which is really inspiring.

Then I do some Yoga just before the kids wake up.

It’s a really nice morning ritual and although I’m quite consistent, I don’t force myself to do these things everyday.

It just feels naturally because I love doing it. Just like playing guitar.

I don’t have a ritual or routine for guitar playing. I just play throughout the day any moment I feel like it.

And I’ll practice what I’m obsessed about at that particular moment. One day it might be Blues or Jazz and the next day I’ll play and sing songs of Ryan Adams on my acoustic.

Now that I mention this. I just came from the supermarket and heard a Ryan Adams song on the radio “Chains of Love” It’s nice to hear good music on the radio. After I finished writing this post I’m gonna transcribe that song and play it. Oh I can’t wait. Sorry let’s get back to where I was…..Continue Reading

Learn From The Three Kings of Blues

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Albert King playing and smoking.

Today there are so many great electric blues guitar players out there, but what most of them have in common is that they are directly or indirectly influenced by these 3 gentleman:

B.B. King (9/16/1925)
Albert King (4/23/1923 – 12/21/1992) and
Freddie King (9/3/1934 – 12/28/1976)

Many blues players like Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimi Hendrix have been influenced by B.B. King.

Otis Rush, Mike Bloomfield, Jimi Hendrix and Gary Moore were influenced by Albert King. Younger blues player John mayer has been influenced by Stevie Ray Vaughan who in turn was strongly influenced by Albert King.

Guitar players like Peter Green, Mick Taylor, Lonnie Mack, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Clapton were influenced by Freddie King.

Most of you already know the reputation of B.B. King but for those who are not familiar with each and every one of the three kings you’ll absolutely benefit if you do. The impact of Albert and Freddie King on the evolution of the blues is not to be underestimated.

I suggest you take the time to listen and study the music and skills of these 3 blues guitar players. It’s worth while the effort and it will change the way you play the blues for the rest of your life!

B.B. KING
Name: Riley Ben King better known as B.B. King (B.B. stands for Blues Boy).
Songs: “The thrill is gone”, You know I love you, Ten long years, Woke up this morning.
Guitar: Viriants of the Gibson ES-355 (which he all refers to as “Lucille”)
Amps:Lab Series L5 2×12″ combo amp and Fender Twin Reverbs.
Strings:Gibson SEG-BBS B.B. King Signature Electric Guitar Strings. Gauges: 0.10-0.13-0.17p-0.32w-0.45w-0.54w
Technique: B.B. King is noted for his minimalist playing style. He knows how to play the right notes or even a single note at the right time with the most beautiful vibrato. He often plays around a certain area of the 2nd position of the pentatonic scale which is referred to as the “BB King Box”. (See below) and mixes up major and minor Pentatonic/Blues gracefully.Continue Reading

The Tao of Guitar Playing

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Photo Topwalls.net
Since an early age I have always been interested in Zen and Taoism.

Reading about these philosophies and later on applying and incorporating them into my life changed everything…

…from teaching guitar, practicing guitar, songwriting, performing, relationships, friends, marriage, parentship, business to even the smallest details that make part of my life.

My guitar playing got so much better and my guitar playing life got so much more fulfilling because I let everything go.

I let go of everything that I thought I needed to do, everything that I was afraid would happen if I would not live up to my expectations. I let go of approval, reputation, money and my limited believes that were taught by my envoirment. I finally got everything without trying to get it.

The philosophy of Taoism and Zen makes everything in life so much more pure, enjoyable and above all it makes you feel free. Free from your past and future burdens that you constantly carry with you.

When you free yourself from regrets (past) or expectations (future) which takes daily practice, you’ll start thinking and feeling differently after a while.

Things become easier. You’ll grow without trying to grow and you’ll succeed without trying to succeed. It’s the way of the Tao.

Don’t believe my word for it but try it yourself. Here are some of the philosophies from the Tao Te Ching applied to the guitar lifestyle design.

Read slowly and thoughtfully:Continue Reading

Be Ready to Perform on Guitar Anytime Anywhere

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Photo by Brian
Being able to perform anytime, anywhere in any situation is one the greatest tools for a musician to acquire, maintain and to carry around in the backpocket.

A lot of guitar players have a hard time when it comes to playing or performing an entire song (let alone a couple of songs) on the spot if someone will ask them spontaneously.

They could show you some cool riffs or a nice intro, but to perform an entire song out of the blue is for many guitar players something they are not prepared for.

Some might actually be able to play an entire song but only with the backup of a band because they are used to perform like that. But dude, you got to be ready as a solo musician as well.

I’ve been there. Having played guitar for years and then people would ask me out to play and sing on the spot and I’d go like ‘Uhh what do you want me to play?, ‘I don’t know that song’ or ‘I can’t come up with anything right now.’ or some other lousy excuse. It’s just because I wasn’t prepared.

But you know what, you should be prepared. It rocks! Being prepared makes you feel confident and in control. It allows you to show who you are and what you sound like as a musician. It’s the way of being a professional.Continue Reading