ZEN GUITAR

Rating:
Summary: Guitar Instruction for the Soul
Review: "Zen Guitar" is one of the best instructional books that I have found for the guitar. Although this book will not teach you how to make a 7b5 chord or how to play a Mixolydian scale it is not any less important. "Zen Guitar" teaches the way of the guitar, the mental aspect needed to play the guitar. There are so very few souls that are born to play the guitar. Many may have the technical ability to play like Stevie Ray Vaughan, but few could ever hope to radiate music like he did without help.

Philip Toshio Sudo provides that help by exploring Eastern philosophies in respect to playing guitar and making music. There are over sixty lessons contained in this book, each short and containing only one point so the simple meaning is not lost in the explanation. Many guitarists become hung up on stupid, meaningless things that prevent one from fulfilling their guitar ability. The lessons that Sudo teaches point out these hang ups and explain the mental attitude that is required to reach your full potential.

Not only will Sudo's work help a guitarist to see the light, but the lessons that he teaches can be used in every day life. He has done a good job in distilling the complicated thoughts of the Taoism so a Western mind can readily understand this foreign way of thinking. Every guitarist who ever talks about becoming better, or hack that just "doodles" on the fretboard, should buy this book and take the lessons to heart. "Zen Guitar" will open your mind and let guitar flow from your heart. You will become a better player, and if you take Sudo's teachings to heart, you will notice improvement outside the realm of guitar as well.

Rating:
Summary: "Charming...instructive...offers important insights."--P.W.
Review:

In a charming book that combines the mastery of the guitar with the master of Zen, Sudo introduces the Zen concept of shugyo, according to which the spiritual journey, the Way, and the practice of art become one and the same.

His explanation of shugyo in conjunction with the 12 points of focus--spirit, rhythm, technique, feel, perfection, mistakes, stages, plateaus, limits, follow through, taste and collaboration--explains the transformation of Zen practice into artistic savvy.

In Zen Sudo finds a cohesive and insightful way of thinking about playing the guitar, or, for that matter, any musical instrument. His instructive little book teaches that the mastery of Zen, as well as mastery of art, requires concentrated practice rather than simple instruction.

For the student of guitar, Sudo's book offers important insights into what separates adequate musicianship from mastery; and, for the student of Zen, it illuminates a side of Zen practice not often discussed clearly and practically.

--Publisher's Weekly, Jan 13, 1997, pp. 68-69

Rating:
Summary: "Charming...instructive...offers important insights."--P.W.
Review:

In a charming book that combines the mastery of the guitar with the master of Zen, Sudo introduces the Zen concept of shugyo, according to which the spiritual journey, the Way, and the practice of art become one and the same.

His explanation of shugyo in conjunction with the 12 points of focus--spirit, rhythm, technique, feel, perfection, mistakes, stages, plateaus, limits, follow through, taste and collaboration--explains the transformation of Zen practice into artistic savvy.

In Zen Sudo finds a cohesive and insightful way of thinking about playing the guitar, or, for that matter, any musical instrument. His instructive little book teaches that the mastery of Zen, as well as mastery of art, requires concentrated practice rather than simple instruction.

For the student of guitar, Sudo's book offers important insights into what separates adequate musicianship from mastery; and, for the student of Zen, it illuminates a side of Zen practice not often discussed clearly and practically.

--Publisher's Weekly, Jan 13, 1997, pp. 68-69

Rating:
Summary: All are welcome to the Zen Guitar Dojo. Please enter...
Review:

Welcome to the Zen Guitar Dojo. Please leave the door open.

My name is Philip Toshio Sudo, and I have written this book for anyone who wants to make music. It makes no difference to me whether you're a musician or not. You're welcome here if you're of the spirit to make a sound. Just stand up tall and dig down deep.

I began playing the guitar as a child in Japan, the land of my ancestors, and have continued playing in the United States, my homeland. Over the years I've learned from many different teachers, both Japanese and American. As the product of these two cultures, I've sought a way to blend the wisdom of East and West into a universal philosophy of life.

The way I've found is Zen Guitar.

WHAT IS ZEN GUITAR?

Zen Guitar is nothing more than playing the song we're all born with inside--the one that makes us human. Any one of us can do it. The music is waiting there to be unlocked.

This book will give you the key.

My intention is to share what I've learned in the hope it might encourage you to strum a new song in the world. As the name implies, Zen Guitar is based largely on the principles of zen philosophy.

Zen is most easily understood as a common-sense approach to all things. Some people come to know zen through meditation, others through the martial arts, or archery, or flower arranging. All these are paths to the same wisdom.

In my book, we seek to know zen through music.

My approach to the guitar brings in various teachings from the zen arts of Asia: martial arts such as karate and aikido, brush-style calligraphy, samurai swordsmanship, and the Japanese tea ceremony. As in the tradition of these great arts, I believe that learning to play the guitar is inseparable from learning to harmonize body, mind, and spirit. To truly play from your soul, you must have all aspects of yourself working together as one.

As you develop harmony through Zen Guitar, it will carry through to everything you do. In other words, what you learn in this dojo will apply to your work, school, athletics, relationships, home life--how you think, see, feel, and hear all day long. Because ultimately, the path of Zen Guitar is the path of life itself.

This dojo is for beginners and advanced students alike. I make no distinction between age or past experience. Anyone who wants to train here, regardless of ability, starts at the same point: wearing the white belt, just as one would in studying a martial art. Even a black belt in karate, for example, must put on a white belt when beginning the study of another martial art like judo. It is no different here, no matter how long you've been playing or who your other teachers have been.

Donning the white belt does not mean you are a novice, though there is no shame in being one. In fact, in many ways, novices have an advantage over those who come from other schools and may have to unlearn certain ways of thinking. Wearing the white belt merely signifies that you are willing to learn the Way of Zen Guitar.

WHAT KIND OF INSTRUCTION IS IT?

Zen Guitar is not a conventional "how-to" program of instruction. It is "alternative," meaning it requires a do-it-yourself spirit. There are no chords or tunings or music theory in this dojo; you won't find lessons on how to read music, play the blues, fingerpick, or copy "Stairway to Heaven."

My function in the book will be to act as your guide. I do so in the spirit of the Japanese sensei--not "teacher," as the word is commonly translated, but literally, "one who has gone before." I do not claim to know all the answers. But what I have learned, I'll gladly share with those who wish to make a similar journey. If I can inspire you to follow your own path, this dojo will have served its purpose.

THE PATH OF ZEN GUITAR

I have divided the book into five stages, each signifying progression along the path of Zen Guitar. Each chapter contains a series of lessons appropriate to particular belt level and each lesson is prefaced by a quote from a famous musician, from Eric Clapton to The Edge to Andre Segovia to Miles Davis, that pertains to the teaching at hand. In addition, many of the lessons bring in terms from the Japanese language to help readers understand the nuances of zen. The book is illustrated throughout with Japanese calligraphy. The chapters proceed as follows:

I. White Belt: BEGINNER'S MIND
Establishes the proper mindset for starting out on the path--a mindset the student must maintain every step thereafter. This is what's called the "beginner's mind."

II. White Belt to Black Belt: PRACTICE
Describes the kind of training and discipline needed to progress along the path. This is the work ethic one must maintain through all stages of growth. In this section I also warn of some common missteps that can lead one astray no matter how hard the training.

III. Black Belt: RESPONSIBILITY
Explains the standard required for excellence, as well as the responsibilities. It describes the kind of thinking, feeling, and attitude required of a black belt. This is the level where body, mind, and spirit begin to fuse together.

IV. Black Belt to White Belt: BARRIER
Explores the barrier that lies beyond technical excellence and leads to a deeper understanding of the Way.

V. White Belt: THE WAY OF ZEN GUITAR
Reveals the true Way of Zen Guitar.

Here is what a few kind readers have had to say after finishing the book:

"ZEN GUITAR is filled with beautiful metaphors to help us sing and play our song of songs -- life."
--Bernie Siegel, author of Love, Medicine, and Miracles

"ZEN GUITAR is a unique & inspirational approach on learning to learn guitar. It's certainly the first book that I would give to an new & aspiring player."
--Henry Kaiser, guitarist

"Philip Sudo provides an obvious grounding in tradition with a fresh and original perspective. Zen is dynamic and evolving, and ZEN GUITAR is a fascinating contibution to this growth."
--Deng Ming Dao, author of 365 TAO

"A simple and clear step inside the process of making music, ZEN GUITAR is for anyone who is willing to be in a creative mind."
--Pat Irwin, guitaist, the B-52's.

To those who have come this far, I thank you for your interest. If you choose to leave, you are always welcome to return--there is never a time when you cannot begin. The door to this dojo is always open. If you wish to stay, please pick up the book and read it. You have taken the first step on the path.

--PTS, 19 Jan 97

For information about Zen Guitar writings and music, visit the Zen Guitar website at www.maui.net/~zen_gtr, or email the author at: [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book for non-guitar players as well.
Review: As a keyboard player I was still drawn to this book. Although it does concentrate on guitar playing, the lessons learned throughout can be applied to any musical instrument. I highly recommend the book.

Rating:
Summary: Pick up your guitar. Tune. Play.
Review: As a previous reviewer mentioned, don't expect technical details on how to play from Zen Guitar. Instead, use this book to help you get into the right mindset. Develop the right attitude towards your instrument and towards playing, and that is half the battle. I played guitar for about a year, then let it collect dust as life became more hectic. When I received this book as a gift, I also let it collect dust. When I finally read the book, it reignited my interest in the guitar, and has provided me with the spirit to continue, and also to set appropriate expectations for myself. I don't need to be as good as anyone else, as long as what I am playing makes me happy. Three things to remember: Pick up your guitar. Tune. Play. That is all there is to it!

Rating:
Summary: The guitar as a metaphor for life.
Review: As the book states from the get-go, it is not a how-to book. Never mentions a chord or scale. However what it does do is ultimately, much more beneficial and quite practical (yes Zen is practical!). If you've ever practiced guitar (or anything), and run into obstacles like distraction, lack of focus, lack of confident, frustration...you name it. This book brings these elements of guitar learning into focus.
One suggestion (from me)is not to look at all the concepts in the book as rules (as 1 reader got caught up doing), but as suggestions. Give them a try. You will no doubt stray from the path. That's natural. Don't get frustrated and just get back on it. This book helps alot in that respect.

Rating:
Summary: pretty much for performers only
Review: I bought this book hoping it would add a spiritual dimension to my practice of zen, and my practice of the guitar. I don't believe it did much of either, primarily because I'm not a performer and this book is definitely geared toward performers. I found the treatment of zen to be somewhat diluted as well. I guess it was just not for me! However, it's a wonderful topic and I'd like to see the author give it another go, this time perhaps with the guitar hobbyist/wannabe (e.g., moi) in mind, and a more rigorous treatment of zen.

Rating:
Summary: Flatline
Review: I found this book to be a total waste of time. How many times do you need to be told "find your own song inside you"? Well, here you'll be told about 50 times, and it doesn't get any deeper than that. The author tosses in Zen phrases without in the least bit making them applicable to guitar playing. To save you some time and money, I can quote a few lines and you'll have the entirety of the substance of this book. "The process of Zen Guitar is simple: Wear the white belt, pick up your guitar, tune, and play. Focus on putting your spirit into each note and you do not have to worry about landing a record deal or how many records you sell. If the fish bite, they bite." Yes, indeed, if they bite they bite, can't argue with that at all, and it's as profound and useful as the advice in this book gets. Useful? "Acquire the technique you need, and no more. That is the Way of Zen Guitar." You know, I seriously had never thought of it that way---and won't ever again, either.

I seriously think this book was written only because the title hadn't been taken. "Hmmm. Cats and Zen--done. Pooh and Zen--done. Golf and Zen--done. Done, done, done. Hey! No one's done a book about guitar and Zen."

Rating:
Summary: hendrix meets buddha
Review: I have had this book for nearly two years, and it has been an interesting read, to say the least! Sudo's book is inspirational and thought-provoking. If you're a guitar player, you might think it's just another "become a guitar god in one hour" by Shred Johnson; to stop there would be to deny yourself a spiritual insight into an instrument that conveys such soul and emotion. From my personal experience, I can say that my emotion has come out more in my music than before I read this book- my playing has become fluid and relaxed! I still "rock out", but I do it with much more openness. Do what the greats do: go into this book as a child, and come out as a master of your musical soul!!