Music and the Art of Zen

by Steven Joe
(StudioGreen Music, Luray VA)

Music and the Art of Zen:
1) Come up with your own list.
This is most important.
Inspiration comes and goes like the tides. Don’t be disappointed if you are currently Dry.
The last thing you need is to get-all-full-of-yourself and think yourself into Circles. Think and read Zen philosophy. Creativity comes from recognizing the process itself. Zen means waking up to the present moment. I balance songwriting with every other activity in my life. Yin and Yang
( By the way that’s my idea for a song, wrote it Here )

2) Get a partner (or more)
I have been writing for 8 years with a fantastic songwriter Doc Phillips. He helps me put together ideas I have, and is a great finisher. Many songs have begun with (me) coming up with ¾ of a song and he swoops in and finishes it.

Know your role and limitations.

Start a songwriting group. What a nice idea to go out with like-mined folks for a Pint.

3) Start simple
Begin with an empty cup approach. Start with 1 chord, one line…..and go from there.

More articles to come….

For now see:
http://goto.bilkent.edu.tr/gunes/ZEN/zenphilosophy.htm

4) Take a walk……..come back when you have figured out what a guitar is for.

Some of Steven Joe's music can be heard at:
http://www.myspace.com/thefursmusic