HUMBLE BEGINNINGS...

This is the first installment of what I hope will be an informative series of monologues (with some simulated dialogue thrown into the pot for illustrative measure on rare occasion) which incites thought for the reader who so fortuitously found his/her way here, in between bouts of what I hope to be regular practice. I enjoy writing very much, as much as I do teaching, or playing music. Every so often, or whenever I feel the need to share something which feels worth sharing to me, you will see in this page musings on practice, interpretation, technical commentary, approaches to learning, teaching, lifestyle, food, sleep, barbell training, climate change, linguistics, Eastern European cuisine, politics... wait...perhaps not so much of the last few items. I promise to keep it as subject-related as possible. 

Within the offerings to follow, I hope that you will NOT find a declaration of law, no matter how strongly I might voice my observations or opinions. Again, I only hope to share snippets of the very ideas I address with my students on a weekly basis, intending to get them thinking, as well as philosophies I hold dear to my heart. I will also reserve the right to change my opinions over time if new information has come to light. Hopefully, a little bit of humor will creep its way into these words on rare occasion, as levity is something I like to see when discussing things which don't really change the world in a tangible, easy-to-measure way, no matter how important music might be for many of us, as we devote our blood, sweat, tears, money, and/or sanity to it.

In the spirit of this humble disclaimer, I do fully realize you might disagree with some things I write. That is ok by me- I don't yearn for agreement as much as that the reader, my student or not, is only inspired to think a little. What I often find in teaching and learning guitar is that, like pursuing any discipline, whatever salient point regarding technique, music fundamental, expression and the like often times uncovers a valuable parallel to some other area which has relevance in a person's daily life. When that happens, I find that the old adage "When one teaches, two people learn" becomes so very true, and the 'aha' moment found there is most intangibly rewarding for both teacher and student.

I may even ask others I respect and admire to contribute on some topics, from time to time, because more than one viewpoint can only yield a richer perspective for the beholder taking the time to consume all of these monthly ramblings. In the meantime, please ensure that you aren't reading this while driving, and that your daily practice quota has been met. For, if we cannot walk the walk, we certainly don't need to be talking the talk.