- Hardcover: 192 pages
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd (7 Oct 1997)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0684830906
- ISBN-13: 978-0684830902
- Product Dimensions: 19 x 13.7 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,615,979 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
The book starts from a simple premise: Each of us carries a song inside - the song that makes us human. We're all born with this song, but so many of us don't know how to unlock it. Zen Guitar offers the key. By sharing his own experiences with music, Philip Toshio Sudo guides us to rediscover the harmony in each of our lives, as well as to open ourselves to a Zen awareness uniquely suited to the Western mind. Filled with inspirational words from famous musicians, beautiful brush paintings, Zen stories, and samurai maxims, the book unfolds in fifty-eight lessons that go from the four lessons to establish the beginner's mind, to the "Twelve Points of Focus" and "Twelve Common Missteps" through technical excellence, and into more advanced levels of Zen.
About the Author
Philip Toshio Sudo a student of Eastern philosphy and martial arts and a lifetime guitar player he developed the Zen guitar philosophy performing in the streets, parks, and subways of New York City.
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First Sentence
Welcome to the Zen Guitar Dojo. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
Welcome to the Zen Guitar Dojo. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book reflects the attitude and scope you bring to it, and can be applied to any part of life. I bought a US edition five years ago; whenever I return to it I'm struck by its simple truth and sound guidance. Whether you are an absolute beginner or a Jedi, you can learn from this book. The structure and pace are superb - it can be read fast or slow, skimming or pondering, cover-to-cover or dipping in and out. Remarkable.
It is a small, elegant book. There are no motorcycle maintenance tips.
I'm particularly fond of its emphasis on context. Our listening and reacting to one another can make or break the music we love (why else are we playing?). This book can guide you to play better with other musicians, and there's precious few books that can do that.
The Zen Guitar site (www.zenguitar.com) is a fine community and resource. I'm sure it will endure despite Philip Sudo's death. If you're nervous about buying the book unseen, visit the site to see what it's about. And then buy it. And then show it to other people.
If you let this book guide your learning, you will get better. It really is that simple.
34 of 36 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
zen guitar does not teach you theory, chords or technical information, but it provides an excellent source of philosophy and wisdom from the east to apply to the guitar. these teachings can be used in any situation in life and enhance and enrichen guitar playing so instead of thinking about playing the tune right, u feel the tune - it comes naturally. everyone who owns a guitar MUST buy this book! it really does help you enjoy the whole spirit of the guitar and was an excellent, educational read.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Zen guitar achieves what every other Guitar tuition book fails to do, and that is to provide the guitarist with a sense of 'soul' or 'depth' to their playing. It is certainly spiritual, and at times, eclectic, but the concepts and thoughts of the late, great Philip Sudo have inspired many guitarists into approaching the guitar in several different ways.
A prime example of how a simple instruction yields incredible results. In the book, the instruction is just to "Pick up the guitar, and play each note as if it is the last one that you'll ever play". Coupled with a few sage paragraphs that get you mentally prepared for this task, and with a little help from many great quotes from many great guitarists dotted around the book, suddenly, the expression and passion that you play the instrument becomes tenfold.
There is not one piece of notation, or explanation of music theory. The principles throuought "Zen Guitar" are profound, and may alter your outlook beyond the fretboard, and every word has been written with the reader's best interests in mind. No matter what you are trying to achieve with the guitar, no matter what level of proficiency you believe you have achieved, and no matter how many books or how much time you have studied to get there, this will be a book that you need to have in your collection.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Road Is Long...
Zen Guitar, by Philip Toshio Sudo, is the one book on guitar that I just keep going back to again and again. Read more
Published 9 days ago by Darkbloom
different!
I didn't know what to expect when i purchased this book.
one thing for sure, I couldn't put it down once I opened it up! Read more
one thing for sure, I couldn't put it down once I opened it up! Read more
Published 7 months ago by sid
A book I recommend to all my serious students. (and not just guitar?)
As a guitar teacher, I am always on the lookout for something to inspire my pupils and make them think for themselves. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Neil Browning
Required reading for anyone serious about learning an instrument
An incredibly important book for any serious musician. Just substitute your instrument for "guitar". Read more
Published 11 months ago by S. Brewin
Rubbish?
I bought this book because I happen to be learning guitar. I was going great guns with it until I got to page 108, where I read the statement, 'A good chef delivers exactly the... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Buffalo1652
a good Way to think about music
On ordering I was slightly wary of this book being a bit 'new age' but I took the chance and I'm really happy that I have it to dip into when the mood takes. Read more
Published on 31 Mar 2010 by this little pig
An excellent essay - that's too long as a book.
Like many great ideas the commercial need to turn it into money often creates something that is less great. Read more
Published on 29 Nov 2003 by C. R. Downing
Fantastic read, loved every minute
I chanced upon this book by accident whilst browsing the various guitar books and it instantly caught my eye. I ordered it straight away and it arrived the next day. Read more
Published on 8 Jan 1999
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