In surfing circles, one can have the moniker of "Soul Surfer". This is a dude that surfs strictly for the sake of surfing. Typically this is the dude or chick that lives the lifestyle and is so connected to the act of surfing that it, in turn, connects them to the universe. Connects them in a very deep, spiritual way. You can see it in the way they surf and the look on their face when they are in the water. They are truly in a spiritual moment. These surfers typically do not surf contests or take endorsement deals. They surf the same way many of us eat food or sleep or drink water. They do it to live. I am sure the same thing exists in snowboarding, skiing, etc. I think that it also exists in the music world or at least it should.
When most of us pick up our guitars, we do it because we love it. Yes, truly we are connected to our instrument and to the music community itself when we participate in the act of playing music. But I wonder how many of us that play music for pay, can separate the vocational aspect of our playing from the "I love this freakin' guitar" part of our playing.
I often times go into the rehearsal studio with a very work-a-day attitude. I may have a gig coming up and I know I need to memorize some lyrics or fine tune some guitar lines. So, I go into what would otherwise be a creative space and simply go through the motions of practicing material. It ends up being a very dry, empty experience. I am sure many of you have experienced the very same thing. Is it possible that this type of exercise puts us far away from the very essence of what music is about? That is to say, can it remove much or all of the spiritual component of the act of making music?
For the lucky few that get big contracts or record deals, this might not be an issue. When your label has you covered from a financial standpoint, you might be able to spend all of your playing time in a creative vein. For the rest of us that are having to pound out a paycheck in a cover band or giving guitar lessons, the feeling that our playing is simply a J. O. B becomes very palpable. Maybe there is no way to get around this though. I just think that it is interesting to consider how an artistic endeavor can grow to be so far from removed from the creative process if given enough time and the right (or wrong) circumstances. What makes it even more interesting is the thought that the addition of money or pay is often times the circumstance that kills the whole thing.
I was asked to be a judge at a local Guitar Center's King of the Blues contest. I was honored and agreed to do it. When I arrived, I almost immediately regretted my decision. There where several guitarists getting set to show their chops and there I stood, maybe half the player those guys are, getting ready to judge their ability. Now clearly all of these players had spiritual moments of their own. They spent time in rehearsal learning the backing tracks, but then added their own lead phrases in. The creative process in full tilt right? I am sure that it was. Now they are in a situation where they will have to package up their spiritual moments and make them marketable to the small audience and panel of judges. This is very strange indeed. All of the guys did a great job. Really nice playing from every contestant. Still, I wonder if that is the kind of thing that we need to judge. Maybe we should only listen, accept, and enjoy. Playing for playing sake. A type of soul surfing on guitar you see? Think on this when you have time and get back to me in the comments box.
Go enjoy the perfect waves that are waiting for you in your rehearsal or jam space. Go ride those moments of creativity and momentary genius. Above all else, stay soulful.
Jonathan Hardy
When most of us pick up our guitars, we do it because we love it. Yes, truly we are connected to our instrument and to the music community itself when we participate in the act of playing music. But I wonder how many of us that play music for pay, can separate the vocational aspect of our playing from the "I love this freakin' guitar" part of our playing.
I often times go into the rehearsal studio with a very work-a-day attitude. I may have a gig coming up and I know I need to memorize some lyrics or fine tune some guitar lines. So, I go into what would otherwise be a creative space and simply go through the motions of practicing material. It ends up being a very dry, empty experience. I am sure many of you have experienced the very same thing. Is it possible that this type of exercise puts us far away from the very essence of what music is about? That is to say, can it remove much or all of the spiritual component of the act of making music?
For the lucky few that get big contracts or record deals, this might not be an issue. When your label has you covered from a financial standpoint, you might be able to spend all of your playing time in a creative vein. For the rest of us that are having to pound out a paycheck in a cover band or giving guitar lessons, the feeling that our playing is simply a J. O. B becomes very palpable. Maybe there is no way to get around this though. I just think that it is interesting to consider how an artistic endeavor can grow to be so far from removed from the creative process if given enough time and the right (or wrong) circumstances. What makes it even more interesting is the thought that the addition of money or pay is often times the circumstance that kills the whole thing.
I was asked to be a judge at a local Guitar Center's King of the Blues contest. I was honored and agreed to do it. When I arrived, I almost immediately regretted my decision. There where several guitarists getting set to show their chops and there I stood, maybe half the player those guys are, getting ready to judge their ability. Now clearly all of these players had spiritual moments of their own. They spent time in rehearsal learning the backing tracks, but then added their own lead phrases in. The creative process in full tilt right? I am sure that it was. Now they are in a situation where they will have to package up their spiritual moments and make them marketable to the small audience and panel of judges. This is very strange indeed. All of the guys did a great job. Really nice playing from every contestant. Still, I wonder if that is the kind of thing that we need to judge. Maybe we should only listen, accept, and enjoy. Playing for playing sake. A type of soul surfing on guitar you see? Think on this when you have time and get back to me in the comments box.
Go enjoy the perfect waves that are waiting for you in your rehearsal or jam space. Go ride those moments of creativity and momentary genius. Above all else, stay soulful.
Jonathan Hardy
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