Ripples

“Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water,

the actions of individuals can have far reaching effects.”

                                                                                                       Dalai Lama

Greetings, dear disciples. It has been several months since MaGuru has visited with you. I trust that this has been a meaningful time for you all.

I have been happily communing with my many ukulele and guitar students around the country during this time. Recently, some of my students have shared some experiences that have touched the heart of MaGuru. I would like to briefly share two of them with you now. 

“Everything is caused by something,

and in turn, is cause for something else.” 

In my teaching practice, there are many moments of “seeing the bulb go off” when a student has insight into their playing. These are powerful and beautiful moments for me, as they are for teachers everywhere. Greater still are the moments of joy my students share with me related to their musical experiences. 

My dear friend of many years, Caterina of Asheville, NC, started taking ukulele lessons from MaGuru a year ago. Much of her focus has been to learn traditional Greek folk and dance music to honor her culture. Recently, Caterina traveled with her son and grandson to Chicago to see her 90 year old mother in a Greek-American assisted living center. She spent parts of 2 days joyfully singing for groups of seniors who share her heritage.  She was kind enough to send MaGuru a video of her and her mother harmonizing on a song that they have been singing together her whole life.

There are no words to describe how moved I felt while watching this video.

My very good friend Mark has been a MaGuru student (" a MaGudent") for a year from his home in Tampa, FL. He has generously served his community for many years as a Hospice Nurse. Recently, while calling on an assisted living center that he sees every week, he noticed a ukulele and guitar hanging on the wall in the rec room. Being a self-respecting ukulele enthusiast, he tuned the ukulele up, and began playing for the patient he had come to see. When he returned the following week with his own ukulele to again entertain his patient, he was greeted by a full room of excited residents of the living center, and proceeded to play for them. It was a peak experience for my friend. Mark has requested that any new material be “senior friendly.”

This was Mark's first experience of performance, and it was hugely successful. Learning of this touched MaGuru deeply. 

"Each one of us is something greater than ourselves.”

MaGuru is truly humbled by learning of these joyous moments in the lives of my students. These two beautiful stories have reinforced the knowledge that our interactions can have a positive and wonderful ripple effect further down stream. 

I am so grateful.

Stu MaGuru

Staying Optimystical

Greetings, dear readers. Today, MaGuru will impart an important principle that relates to music, and to life in the bigger picture. It is the concept of Staying Optimystical.

What is Optimystical, you may ask?

MaGuru defines it as the art of staying positive with a spiritual (or mystical) perspective. An old school expression that addresses this is: "An optimist is someone who sees the glass as half full, instead of half empty." We've all heard this phrase. An Optimystical person takes it a step further with the understanding that what is visible in the glass is topped off by an unseen mystical essence that makes life a richer, deeper, more positive and fulfilling experience.

In a musical context, an Optimystical person values the journey as much, or more, than the ultimate outcome. As Ram Dass has so eloquently said, Be Here Now. 

And, as MaGuru says, Be Here Now. And now . . . and now . . . And. Now.

There is no end to one's musical journey. As with enlightenment, when one "claims" to be enlightened, they surely are not. Similarly, when someone believes they've reached the limit of their own ability, they are just as surely mistaken.

Enjoy your musical journey! Stay Optimystical.

Oh, MaGuru, you've done it again.

KARMA-LELE

After this long and arduous political season, many of my students and devotees have contacted me, saying, "Oh MaGuru, please share some of your wisdom and immense depth.

To that, I, MaGuru, sayeth:

Practice "Karma-lele."  This is the spiritual principle of ukulele cause and effect where harmonious intent and actions of an individual or group influence the future of that individual or group.

In other words, as Paul McCartney almost said, "The music you take is equal to the music you make."

As Mohandas Gandhi almost said, "Be the musical change you want to see in the world."

As MaGuru says - "Be your own spin doctor." Meaning, if you play a note or chord that is not "traditional" (correct), claim ownership and declare that you are expressing an alternative and intuitive version.

Repeat after MaGuru:

My groove is on a higher plane.

My groove is on a higher plane.

My groove . . . . . . . .

And finally - LOOSEN UP! It's going to be okay . . . really . . .

Oh, MaGuru...you've done it again. 

The Tao of Performance

I played this great just before we got on line for my lesson.

I have such performance anxiety.

What if I forget the chords?

What if I forget the lyrics?

If Stu MaGuru had a dollar for every time he heard these words, he wouldn’t be able to close his wallet!

This brings up The Tao (way or path) of Performance. Performing means different things to different people. Playing one’s lesson for the teacher…playing at an open-mic night…playing at a dive bar…or even in stadiums. Most people feel what they perceive as fear when they think of performing. In particular, the fear that they may embarrass themselves.

Yes, even I, MaGuru, have experienced this trepidation, as well.

Of course, the more one does anything, the better and more comfortable they become at it. My partner in love and music, Atlanta Janna (AKA Ms. Guru) reframed this issue in a very constructive way. She said to me once that for her, being nervous felt physically very much like being excited. When she experiences those feelings associated with fear, she thinks, "I'm excited to be playing!" So, the adrenaline of fear transforms into the adrenaline of excitement, and she uses that to energize her performances.

MaGuru thinks that is brilliant! Say to yourself, "I am excited, not nervous." Just saying the words will make you smile. No fear, just excitement. If you do miss a chord, keep on playing! No one will notice or remember at the end of the song. If you forget the lyrics, make something up or make a joke about it. It's fun for the audience.

Speaking of exciting – Ms. Guru and I had the great pleasure of seeing a fantastic ukulele performer this past weekend. "Danielle Ate The Sandwich" (not her real name…well, Danielle is.) performed at The UKE Republic outside of Atlanta. MaGuru and Atlanta Janna were captivated by this delightful and extremely talented performer. Danielle was funny, self-deprecating, witty with the audience, and this woman can sing! Terrific original material, a very good ukulele player, and did I mention she can sing? Danielle has surely experienced nervousness around performing, but not on this night. Or, at least it wasn't apparent to MaGuru. 

Danielle Ate The Sandwich was the most enjoyable performance I’ve seen in a very long time. She will be performing soon in the following cities. If possible, go see her, or look for her in the future. She has a new CD – Terrible Dinner Guest. Terrific.

9.23 - Washington, DC

9.24 - Philadelphia, PA


9.27 - Hamden, CT

9.28 - Altoona, PA


9.29 - Columbus, OH

10.1 - Milwaukee, WI

Here is one of her songs:
https://youtu.be/75NyVgW0d7Q  ("Bad Habit").

http://danielleatethesandwich.com/

Oh, MaGuru, you've done it again!

The First Principle Of Confusion-ism

The Great and Powerful Oz, err . . . MaGuru, studies all the ancient philosophies that may be of benefit to his students. Have you ever heard of "Confusion-ism?" MaGuru thought not!

In my years of teaching and playing guitar and ukulele, I have witnessed many episodes of Confusion-ism, characterized by anxiety, upset and, well . . . confusion. My most diligent disciples ask, Oh, MaGuru . .  .

     Why am I having so much trouble with the Bb chord?

     How long before my fingertips toughen up?

     Why do I always choke when I play in front of people?

And most frequently,

     Hey, MaGuru, can you spot me a twenty until my next lesson?

The potential questions are endless, and to these, MaGuru says . . .

Do not trouble yourself with questions of limitation. Embrace all music, and your anxiety disappears. Be it The Beatles or The Bangles, Miles Davis or Spencer Davis, Tears for Fears or Brittany Spears, at the end of the day, it's all beautiful music to someone. Music is a source of joy. Let it happen!

And, for those of you reading this who don't play an instrument, make music a bigger part of your day. While driving, take a break from talk radio or top 40 background noise, put on a favorite CD or connect to an internet station you love, and TURN IT UP!!! Sing along—LOUD! Let the music enter you. Feel the rhythm and the passion in the music. When washing the dishes, turn off the news and "Lively Up Yourself!" Sing loud and proud.

MaGuru knows a few things about a few things, and one thing he knows for sure, while playing, listening or singing along, any feelings of confusion will disappear. This is the first principle of the ancient philosophy of Confusion-ism!

(My apologies to Confucius.)

 
Oh, MaGuru, you've done it again!

To learn more about online ukulele and guitar lessons with Stu Zonder, click here.

Hai-Stu Tuesday: "Fish Taco Joy"

Mindlessness

I have taught ukulele and guitar for years. In that time, I have heard many students (especially those of a "certain age”) say:

Oh, Benevolent MaGuru . . .

• I’m too old to be taking up an instrument.
• The only instrument I ever tried was clarinet in the 5th grade.  I stunk at that.
• The band director told me I should go into accounting.

To these comments, I, Stu MaGuru, say, "Feh!"

Practice Mindlessness. Say to yourself, "If I pay less attention to my mind, I'll be a lot more kind."

Which means when you practice or play your instrument, make it your mission to turn off those negative thoughts. Be kind to yourself. Let the music flow to you and through you, unimpeded by self-limiting thoughts. Before you know it, you will be a vehicle for beautiful music!

“Mindlessness”…can you dig THAT? I knew that you could!

Oh, MaGuru, you’ve done it again!

The Practice of Booty-ism

Many of my students ask, "Tell me, oh Stu MaGuru, how can I achieve the perfect ukulele practice?"

I, Stu MaGuru, reply thusly:

"The answer, my friend, lies in the ancient spiritual principles of Booty-ism. The student must faithfully perform the following three rituals each day.

First:  Sit your booty in a chair.

Next:  Keep your booty in the chair for 20 minutes and play ukulele.

Finally:  Give thanks every day for your big booty."

Oh, MaGuru, you've done it again!