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The 4 Great Benefits of the Travel Guitar

By 13 Comments

I just spend a wonderful 14 days in Italy with my wife and two kids enjoying the La Dolce Vita at the Garda Lake.

We took our travel guitars with us and we had such a blast.

In the evening we jammed together in the front garden of our apartment while drinking Italian wine.

At noon I would sometimes go to the beach on my own (My zen moment), sitting down on a rock with my feet in perfect water playing my favorite Jack Johnson, John Mayer and Damien Rice songs. The sun burning on my skin and a tremendous view of the lake and the mountains. Just euphoric.

It was just great to have our travel guitars with us wherever we went.

At home I’m also totally head over heels in love with my travel guitar. I don’t know, but there is just something about it that wants you to play it all the time.

But then again, maybe I do know…

Let’s take a look at some benefits I think are really interesting:Continue Reading

8 Tips How to Wake Up Early That Do Work

By 19 Comments

Sunrise in Machu Picchu by thecsman
sunrise-in-machu-picchu-by-thecsmanSince a year now I have been waking up early. Going from 6 a.m to 5 a.m. My life has changed because of it.

Finally I have the time to do everything that I love to do: practicing guitar, running my business, writing a blog, writing songs, working out, reading, spending a lot of time with my wife and children.

It’s the greatest reward and reminder for waking up early.

I wake up early at least 5 days a week. I like to wake up early two or three days in a row and then one day sleep late. (7.30 a.m.) At night I go to bed at 11 p.m. Not a minute later. If I go to bed at 12 p.m. and try to wake up early it won’t work. I tried many different ways and figured out the one that worked best for me. I think this is different for everyone so you have to experiment with this.

Originally I am a night owl and waking up early is not something that came naturally for me, but it has become a habit and it’s the best thing ever!

Here are the 8 tips that do work:Continue Reading

10 Steps to a Minimalist Guitar Lifestyle

By 7 Comments

photo by Karynsig
spanish-guitar-by-karynsigIsn’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,Continue Reading

14 Steps How to Work Less and Play More

By 11 Comments

photo by Nicki Varkevisser
cam-an-i-in-guitar-classMost 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? Continue Reading