Send your posting to zen_gtr@maui.net (subject heading: ZG Jam). Keep checking back to see what's up. The door is always open.

Boise Idaho area...looking for others too play. Been playing guitar for 15+ years and looking for other zen players..i play a really original style, sort of electric micheal hedges, pre amped clean compression with lots of tapped/pulled/picked harmonics while fingerpicking minor type progressions..a really full haunting sound..My lyrical themes are always zen-ish,scientific, humanist, and non-religously religous...looking for other dull boring bookworm introverted peace loving musicians like myself to make nerdy spacey anti-pop culture music. 208-283-1810. Paul

Anyone have advice for "stage fright"? Profesional guitarist/vocalist--I got a bad case of stage fright (can't concentrate, cold sweat, withdrawn, gotta pee, NERVOUSNESS) that gets worse as the years go by....I'm an introverted happy bookwormy kind of guy (with a healthy self-esteem) who hates being the center of attention, and whose career is very negativley being affected by it......yet music is definently my chosen path.... any advice? (besides using alchohol and weed).. Famous Guy happyhappyjoyjoy@webtv.net

Hello... I've been playing guitar for over 20 years and recently moved to a new area. I really don't know a lot a people yet and don't want to get rusty...I know when my girlfriend doesn't want to get rusty with her singing (she's a singer) she turns on the karaoke machine. Do they have such things for guitar players--all instruments except guitar? Where, instead of cutting out the singer for karaoke, they cut out the guitar parts? Hope this make sense. <anderson@lvcm.com>

I am living in London and am a medium level player versed in the blues and would like to make the transition and to incorporate jazz lines such as exhibited by Mike Stern. Despite taking lessons the last few months from a music teacher, the language of a formerly trained teacher is losing me as I don't read music and therefore I can't access the information. Any suggestions, and are there people in central London to jam with? ed ross <edaaronross@yahoo.com>

I'm trying to find a copy of the Stars and Stripes Forever for solo guitar.  Preferably the one Chet Atkins plays, but just about anything will do.  I know Guy Van Duser has it in his book, Stride Guitar, but I kinda wanted to avoid purchasing an entire book for one arrangement.  If anyone can help me, please e-mail me at ToddABerry@yahoo.com. Thank you.

I read the Zen Guitar book about three years ago, and continue to use it as a reference manual whenever the Way is gone slightly askew. Thanks for it. I have discovered that I am not so much a Zen Guitarist, but a Zen MIDI Musician/Composer, who is trying to get back into guitar playing. Another good book I am currently reading is "The Advancing Guitarist" by Mick Goodrick. Some of Mr. Goodrick's approaches and general thoughts seem very Zen. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in pursuing guitar from a few different directions. David Lanciani <davelanc1@yahoo.com>

Studying Zen Guitar has moved me to finally produce my first CD, "Time for a Change." My website is Bruce T. Campbell . Please folow the link to Draco Audio, where you will find three MP3 samples from the album. I would appreciate your initial impressions of this contemporary folk music. --Bruce <BRUCETCAMPBELLDD@aol.com>

Hello, I live in the Bay Area in California, and I am interested in teaching the guitar to underprivileged individuals or groups who would otherwise not have access to equipment or lessons. I would appreciate if you could suggest any local area groups / community centers that you might know / have heard of where I could offer my services. I can be contacted at davin@ednet.net

Thank you in advance, Davin Bogan, davinbogan@mindspring.com

Please could anyone send me something about Hawaiin lap steel six-string guitar. I'm happy with everything new. If there's someone in Austria, send me a mail, because I like to jam. Wish you the best, Robert Schalken <a9900858@univie.unet.ac.at>

Hi, I've been playing the guitar for close to thirty years. The past three years I have intensified my focus on acoustic fingerstyle. I live in the Portland, Maine, area and opportunities to perform are finding me. I am writing mainly because I see the strong corrolation of guitar playing with the inner work of self-development. I want quality contacts with musically-spiritually minded folks. The spirituality leaning more towards the east but not excluding the west. Thank you/hope to hear from someone soon,

Ray Calabro <radray_1999@yahoo.com>

I have recently (over the past year and a half) begun to play a lot more than I have in the past, having a band that rehearses weekly and attending one or two jam sessions a week. Just this past month I have developed a terrible pain in my left elbow, which seems to be worse after a long playing period.

I fear it may be some kind of nerve problem similar to Carpal tunnel syndrome and hope that my guitar playing is not causing or exasperating this condition. Has anyone else had any similar experience, or can anyone suggest changes in the way I hold/play the guitar? I have been using a Telecaster for the past eight or nine months. Thanks,

Phil KC <kennelty@earthlink.net>

Hi, I wonder if you can help me?... I've played the guitar for about 6 years now but feel as if I'm stuck in a bit of a rut. I'd like to learn to play African / Percussive guitar, as this type of music has always interested me. Do you know of any books or videos that I could get from anywhere on the net or elsewhere that could expand my playing horizons on this subject matter? This or any other rhythmic style? Do you know of any links that could help me? Thanks for your time and any help you can give me on my quest. Cheers, Ben.

Ben Millman <john.milman@virgin.net>

A reply to Ben who feels he is in a rut. I was in a rut about two years ago. I then expanded by musical horizons by searching out new music, new inspirations... Look into the music of Derek Bailey, Eugene Chadbourne, Marc Ribot, Bill Frisell and Fred Frith. It will change your mind about thinking you have reached an end.

John Schuller <kwashikor@hotmail.com> http://members.tripod.com/brokenmusick/biopsy.html

I have been playing the guitar for nearly thirty years. Sometimes I am ashamed to admit this! I have been at this wall (or on this plateau) for far too long. I started playing the piano at a young age. When I entered junior high school I started to play the guitar at home while at school I learned the viola. I continued to play the viola on into college where I also took a guitar course. My major in college was music. Most of my life I have been able to read music in several clefs. I guess I could say that I can understand the construction of chords. Mostly I have played rhythm guitar. On numerous occasions while playing with others I have been expected to insert a solo--"my solo". All that I have ever been able to do is a very poor minor pentatonic riff. I use that term extremely loosely. I have been very frustrated with my ability to play guitar. It has always been explained to me "in the books that I read one should play how one feels". I guess that might be the stumbling block. I have had a little success at copying other people's work but I have as of yet been able to insert any feeling into the songs that I play. My music is not going anywhere and I'm SICK of it. I'm hoping VERY much that you can help me in expressing "My Song". I just had to get a little of my frustrations off of my chest.

Via con Dios y bueno fortuna, Tony Love <Alove01@orion.org>

One day someone asked me if I could play lead. I said, "No, but I can play rhythm very well." I wrote and played my music just so; I couldn't play lead. Until one day, I did. I played it so well in fact that I put my guitar down and stared at it. I told it, "I forgot I couldn't do that."

Unexpected guests don't drop by unless you leave the door unlocked.

David Farler <froibo@crosswinds.net>

Hei ! Kjenner du "yamaha RGX25 el-guitar" ? Vet du om er den bra og vet du prisen på den ? Jeg vet at du vite mye om gitar...... Håper du kan hjelpe meg med disse spørsmåler. Takk

["Hi! Do you know 'yamaha RGX25 el-guitar'? Do you know if it's any good and what would be right price for it? I hope you can help me with this. Thanks."]

Hans Chu <hanschu23@yahoo.com>

Hello. I'm a guitarist from Hungary, and I was really happy to read your book about the way of Zen Guitar. There are a lot of books in my country written by not too clever people, and it is difficult to find a book which is as good as this one. I'd like to tell you something about one of my best guitar experiences. I am not a high skilled guitarist, and, when I grab my guitar, and start to play a song without realizing whether I play a C or an A, and the song has an atmosphere of Eternity (for example The silent Enigma by ANATHEMA, or Planet Caravan by BLACK SABBATH), I feel I am lost on my guitar. I feel that I am lost on my guitar but I am still playing, just like I don't know where I am in the Universe, but I am somewhere. I feel that my guitar is the whole Universe. There is nothing but me and my guitar. I think the way of Zen Guitar is also a Mandala structure. You start as a white-belt player, than you become a black-belt player, and that gives a cycling which never ends. And that's a mandala structure, a circle with a philosophical meaning. Do you think I'm right?

Nemes Pepe <maidenpepe@egon.gyaloglo.hu>

Anyone here from Australia (Sydney in particular)? I'm looking for someone to jam with. I've been playing guitars (I started on bass) for three years, and do a lot of improvisation. I just want to mess around and explore music. I'm not in any band right now but I'm not really looking for one.

James Lownie <James.Lownie@au.unisys.com>

Hi. I am a Zen student living in Los Angeles. I have been inspired by Zen Guitar to pick up the instrument again after a layoff of a few years. It is a joy to be a beginner. I am looking for a fellow beginner (at least in the ZG tradition) to jam with in the Los Angeles area. Nothing goal-oriented; just two people exploring melody, harmony, and rhythm in a non-judgmental, exploratory atmosphere. If you are interested, please email me.

David N. Gordon <dgordon98@earthlink.net>

i have started a record label and recording studio (http://members.xoom.com/transients) called all the transients, based in seattle where i also host a regular series of concerts in a small personable cafe. i would like this to be an open invitation to anyone here to let me know if they are interested in performing at one of the concerts. email transients@xoommail.com.

thanks for listening, etc

mark <burzy@speakeasy.org>

I have been playing for so many years that I do not know of another way. My parents both play and I think that I was even listening to guitar in Utero. I have a degree from a great school. I am finishing a Ph.D in Music. I live a life full of music. For the last year, however, it has felt out of balance. I am begining to wonder why I play. I am rarely able to find the joy that I once felt. Is this sort of angst ridden BS common? I would appreciate comment from senior players especially.

KM <Docmurphy7@aol.com>

I have been playing the guitar for around four years. I have gone through "slumps" were I just didn't get as much saticfaction playing the guitar as before, but got out of it within a few days. I have been in a slump for awhile now and don't know how to get out of it. One day I suddenly got tired of playing the same music. I know I should find a different style of music to learn, but I don't know what to look for. I fear that I have gone off the "path". If you have any suggestions I would love to hear them.

Jim <FRENCHENT@aol.com>

I am a finnish student and guitar player. I've been playing guitar for 14 years and Zenguitar book really opened my eyes to think differently. I would like to hear from other guitarists who have found this idealogy.

Simo Helkala <k96csihe@kyamk.fi>

two themes i'm working on at the moment are: what's a state of mind to develop technical abilities on my instrument, is it a lack of trust in the body that keeps me away from playing like the water murmuring down a creek    /    how to leave the feel of separatness to a heartful "already connected."   

gassho,

rüdi k. <hirschstueble@gmx.de>

I'm somewhat perplexed by your inclusion of the late Jimi Hendrix and Jerry Garcia [quoted in Zen Guitar]. While unquestionably gifted musicians, they led dissolute lives that tragically resulted in an untimely demise. You might have stressed the avoidance of mind-altering substances and alcohol abuse, and the necessity of physical fitness and proper diet. It goes without saying that you will not make the progress you should if you are stoned.

Lewis Heany <lewisheany@hotmail.com>

Lewis -- you have a good point about the importance of a clear mind. There is a pattern in some musicians towards substance abuse, and I think that it has more to do with playing in the moment than making progress on the instrument. And I suspect that's where meditation and release of the rational mind comes in -- the Zen element.

A lot of people gain more of an appreciation for listening to--or playing--music when they are stoned simply because the encumbrance of the rational, critical mind is no longer getting in the way. There are certainly more healthy ways to achieve this state, but who am I to judge others?

It reminds me of the Zen story, that involves two monks -- one who keeps the precepts religiously by not drinking alcohol, waking at dawn and never eating anything after mid-day, and the other a roaring drunk who freely eats and drinks and sleeps at all hours of the day.

The more "liberal" monk chastised the stricter one, asking, "You must not be human to not drink and to keep the precepts so strictly -- never to touch spirits!"

"Well, what do you suggest that I am?" the sober monk replied.

 "A buddha," came the reply

This  is VERY loosely paraphrased, but I think you'll find the original story in Zen Flesh, Zen Bones.

Charles Rathmann <rathmann@wi.net>, www.rathmanncomm.com

My name is Michael Stephen Hardin. I live in Austin Texas (the Live Music capital of the World!) I have been playing guitar for four years. I am eighteen. I have been interested in music and buddhism all my life and now I have finally found a book that successfully synthesizes the two. Thanks! : ) savvy@texas.net

Hi, I just got back from the World Shakuhachi Festival annual summer camp. As always, these are jam-packed with concurrent group lessons providing a lot of information.

On one night we had an open mic type of set up. The teachers wanted students to present stuff to everyone. I played one song with another student, which went well, and asked one teacher if he would do an improv with me. He said yes and surprised me with the timing of when to go on.

I had never improvised in public before, or with anyone else. I've only done it alone at home. But it went wonderfully! I was excited enough to put me on edge, but I was really listening and being aware. I closed my eyes and my focus was only on listening to what he was playing, to what I was playing, and what my fingers were doing. But it was like my awareness was trailing what was actually happening. The actual "happening" was going on almost on its own.

I was in the flow and letting the music come out of me. It was very exciting. I had several people say to me afterwards that they enjoyed it. "It sounded like music", said one. Unfortunately, I didn't have the foresight to tape it, so I can't hear what I did objectively, but the experience itself was the highlight of the whole week for me. The teacher himself said at the end, "We were listening to each other. Good."

While I hadn't thought of it this way before, writing to you now about it leads me to believe that it was a "Zen" moment if there ever was one. Thanks for letting me share it with you.

Let me close with a "zen" type poem I found on the internet:

Donna stubbed her toe on a rock.

The rock thought, "whatever."

Her toe thought, "whatever."

Donna said, "Damn, that fucking hurts."

Cheers,

Herb <Herb.Rodriguez@colorado.edu>

"If you knew how much work went into it, you wouldn't call it genius." --Michelangelo