The word “Kaizen” is a combination of the words “kai” (change) en “zen” (for better), which makes “change for better”. The philosophy behind it is all about the act of continuous improvement.
The term originally comes from the book Kaizen by Masaaki Imai, through which Kaizen was first introduced to the western world.
Kaizen is widely known as a systematic approach for business improvement, but it actually refers to any improvement, one-time or continuous, large or small in all areas of life.
So yes, it can also be applied to guitar practice, to hone, improve, and perfect our skill continuously every day.
The improvement isn’t necessarily focused on large scale changes, and huge wins, but more on smaller, incremental and immediate changes.
So, instead of thinking how to make a big, giant step towards becoming a brilliant guitar player, and start buying expensive guitars, equipment, and executing an extensive practice regimen, you focus on the smallest improvements you can make in your guitar playing right now.
A continuous process that is less intimidating, doable, long lasting and definitely adding up.
Meditation has proven it’s usefulness among a lot of great guitar players and songwriters like John McLaughlin, Steve Vai, John Frusciante, Paul McCartney, Sheryl Crow and many others.
For a long time I have struggled with my own perfectionism. It got in the way of many things. Especially in the sense of getting things accomplished.
Every morning when I wake up I read a chapter from the Tao Te Ching or something that is related to Taoism or Zen.