Philip Toshio SudoRecensioni

NF

I'm not sure I took away anything of substance from this. Honestly this book is basically taking the most generic aspects of a self help book, compiling it, and making it guitar themed. You could take out the word "guitar" from the book and replace it with anything and the book would still make sense. It's generic garbage, honestly.

Super easy to read though, so at least there's that.

[July 1, 2000] I didn't like "Zen Computer" at all. This, coming from someone who found Sudo's "Zen Guitar" a very interesting and enlightening book. I have read a lot of books on Zen and have worked with computers extensively for many years. After reading this book, I feel like I haven't learned anything new about either Zen or computers. Or about not letting the occasional difficulties caused by computers to get to me. It seemed like this book couldn't make up its mind: was it a book on Zen set in a computer context, or was it a book on computers set in a Zen context? Perhaps the appropriate answer is "yes". I had anticipated something as least as informative and profound as "Zen Guitar", but that was not the case. Much of what I read seemed trite, even so silly at times I wondered if Sudo was trying to be humorous and I was taking it all too seriously. I strongly recommend "Zen Guitar" instead of "Zen Computer". At least in "Zen Guitar" the principles of Zen more naturally come forth because playing a guitar or any musical instrument is an art, and touches us in deep ways. I believe there can be mystery behind technology and its use, but that didn't come out in "Zen Computer". For anyone wanting to read about *that*, I recommend "Techgnosis" by Erik Davis.

Unlock the song within yourself and live your life with harmony

Zen Guitar begins with a simple premise: We carry a song inside-the song that makes us human. We're all born with this song but don't kow how to unlock it. Zen Guitar offers the key. Combining the ancient wisdom of the East with the most popular Western instrument, Zen Guitar presents a path to spiritual fulfillment for music-lovers of all kinds, be they shower singers, three-chord hobbyists, or professionals.

Zen Guitar unfolds through fifty-eight lessons that establish a beginner's mind and provide focus and a guide to common missteps, continuing through technical excellence and advanced levels of Zen. Philip Sudo offers his own experiences with music to enable us to rediscover the harmony in each of our lives and open ourselves to a Zen awareness uniquely suited to the Western mind. This harmony is further illuminated through quotes from sources ranging from Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix to Miles Davis and Andres Segovia.

The Zen harmony that you develop carries through to every aspect and action in life, applying to school, work, athletics, and relationships. Zen Guitar shows how the path of music offers fulfillment in all aspects of life-a winning idea and an instant classic.

'Philip Sudo provides an obvious grounding in tradition with a fresh and original perspective. Zen is dynamic and evolving, and Zen Guitar is a fascination contribution to this growth.'-Deng Ming-Dao, author of 365 Tao

'Loved Zen Guitar...(it) is filled with beautiful metaphors to help us sing and play our song of songs-life.'-Bernie Siegel, M.D., author of Love, Medicine, and Miracles

'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, guitar player with the B-52's and composer

Philip Toshio Sudo developed the zen guitar philosophy performing in the streets, parks, and subways of New York City. He lives with his wife and children in Maui, Hawaii, where he writes and records his music.

Contents

1 The dojo Welcome
2 beginner's mind-White belt
Wear the white belt
Pick up your guitar-Tune; Play
3 Practice-White belt to black belt
The twelve points of focus-Spirit; Rhythm; Technique; Feel; Perfection; Mistakes; Stages and plateaus; Discipline; Limits; Follow through; Taste; Collaboration
The Twelve common missteps-Self-doubt; Instant gratification; Ego; Halfheartedness; Overearnestness; Speed; Competition; Obsession; Mishandled criticism; Failure to adjust; Loss of focus; Overthinking

A short book with a poignant introduction. The author passed from this life not long after its publication.

Its message is simple: Live mindfully and enjoy even the simple acts of life. For life consists mostly of the routine, the mundane and the tedious. When you are aware of the significance of these simple routine acts, performing them mindfully you are not missing out on most parts of your life.

The book is full of quotable quotes. My favourite is: Every day is a complete lifetime. This simple quote invites us to embrace each morning as a new birth and a chance to start fresh. Very uplifting and enlightening. I will be coming back to read more about Zen philosophy.

> BAnQ (Blanchette J., Le devoir, 19 mai 2000, B-1) : https://collections.banq.qc.ca/ark:/52327/2798135

Read this because of an Instagram comment.

This turned out pretty boring and drags out a lot of stuff like "wow in The Orient 'crisis' is *danger* and *opportunity*" which is just so tiresome. I found the examples and analogies to be confused (as opposed to purposefully confusing).

I think that the Leonard mastery book has a lot more clear thinking around the theme of spirituality in practice, so read that instead if this book interests you.

W.A. Mathieu's Harmonic Experience is also currently a really wonderful read that is both very musically focused and expresses a certain spirituality.

A year ago when I tried to read this, I rolled my eyes and tossed it back in the shelf.

This time, I found it I be a witty and creative approach to any creative craft - guitar, sure; painting, writing, singing, all would benefit from this approach to lifelong learning.

One of the most important, enjoyable books I've ever had the good fortune to read. The concept of zen is familiar to many, and this book is certainly laden with familiar concepts, but it manages to relate those concepts incredibly well to the art of learning, practicing, and playing an instrument (not necessarily guitar; this book applies to any instrument... it is not an exercise book), all the while reminding you that those very same concepts seamlessly overlap into everyday life, and stretch far beyond the scope of playing an instrument. I really can't say enough good things about this book. If you play any instrument at all... or hell, even if you don't... I highly recommend it.

Interesting perspective on how to approach guitar playing, many of the teachings in this book can be applied not only to music but any other endeavor in life. This is the kind of book that I would probably carry with my guitar, since reading any of the chapters at any given time can be enlightening and bring refreshing inspiration.

The quotes that open each chapter are really nice, I believe this book is an interesting read for anyone in music, let it be professionally, hobbyist, or just a beginner.

Delightful, deceptively simple walk through a day, highlighting events and times to practice. The hardest place to find clarity is in the familiar and mundane, but Sudo achieves that with grace and gentle humour. A great bedside companion, to plant a seed for tomorrow. Recommended

The gentle coaxing in "Zen Guitar" is my favorite kind of read. Easy to pick up and taste, anytime you need a pick me up. It has many quotes from musicians, guitarists of course, who tell what it means to be a musician. Generalize the advice to apply to any life: my life, your life.

It encourages us to play the song that is in us; unlock the fullness of our humanity.

This book doesn't teach any specific guitar playing technique. Rather, it looks at the spiritual side of making music; if you will, the zen of playing guitar.

Everyone carries a song inside themselves, it's what makes us human. This book offers a key to letting out that song. Once you have picked up a guitar and properly tuned it, don't worry if you don't know any songs. Play just one note on one string and give it every bit of your heart and soul. Then repeat the process.

When you start regular practice, start with one new habit: Do one thing the right way one time. In the next moment, make the same commitment. On the other hand, there are potholes along the way that must be avoided at all costs. It's easy to skip practice "just once," a year later, the guitar is covered with dust and cobwebs.

Some feel that learning a certain technique is the most important thing in guitar playing. It's certainly important, but the more complicated the technique, the more brainpower that must be devoted to it. The aim is to play with the proper spirit, to play without having to consider technique. A person must have something to say, first.

To progress down the path of Zen Guitar, you need to love guitar playing and commit your heart to training. If it isn't fun for you, then there is a big problem. Don't be halfhearted about it. Overearnestness is just as bad. Some guitarists force themselves on an audience through excess volume or pyrotechnics. Learn self-control. A measure of mastery is through what you hold back, not what you show.

Another important part of guitar playing is responsibility. You must develop your talent to the fullest capacity, with no excuses. You must respect those who come to you with open ears and foster a feeling of community. Also, act as teacher to those who are seeking their own way along the path of Zen Guitar.

If there is a single rule to Zen Guitar, it might be this: Do what has to be done, when it has to be done, as well as it can be done, and do it that way every time.

This is a fine piece of writing. It certainly gives a new perspective to guitar playing, whether it's folk music or heavy metal. I'm sure much of this book could apply to any instrument. For musicians and music lovers, this is very much worth reading.

A terrific book that is about more than just guitar playing -- although you do learn a lot about the right attitudes to playing a guitar. Can be used for any instrument, can be used for other activities in life.

Even though I'm a bassist, there's still so much to take from this book. Less strident than Robert Fripp's Guitar Craft but sharing some ideas here and there, it gets players to set aside the technique (that they should be learning, nonetheless) and concentrate on what they're trying to say.