Although primarily focused on the martial art of swordsmanship, his philosophy is equally applicable to other disciplines. Musashi’s Dao, or ‘Way’, offers some invaluable lessons in discipline, the art of learning, and overcoming adversity we can adopt in our everyday lives, and certainly in our pursuit of mastery on our instrument.
Category: Guitar
Beginner’s Mind
“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s mind there are few.” Shunryu Suzuki It’s easy, in the beginning stages of learning any new craft or skill, for our development to ride on a wave of enthusiam as every new piece of information reveals hitherto undreamt of worlds. Opportunities seem endless, […]
The Next Stage
It is my belief that music is better shared with others, whether that be an audience or simply playing with other musicians. Even if it isn’t your ultimate goal, performing can be a deeply profound experience for both audience and performer.
Listen To Everything
We’ve all been guilty of getting stuck in our ways. It’s often easier and more comfortable for us as human beings to stick to convention, however, as musicians, do we need to be more careful about what we listen to; and, perhaps more importantly, concern ourselves with what we’re missing out on when we accept and conform to our existing musical tastes.
The Sound of Silence
There is no music without the silence, just as there is no object without the background. One gives meaning to the other. The yin and the yang.
A Blank Slate.
Know why your practise is important and you’ll find the when and how far easier to prioritise.