Zen Guitar

In a charming book that combines the mastery of the guitar with the mastery of Zen, Sudo introduces the Zen concept of Shyguo, according to which the spiritual journey, the Way, and the practice of art become one and the same. His explanation of Shyguo in conjunction with the 12 points of focusDspirit, rhythm, technique, feel, perfection, mistakes, stages, plateaus, limits, follow through, taste and collaborationDexplains 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 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. (Feb.)