Comments on: Guitar Music & Health Goals for 2022

By: Timothy

Timothy — Sat, 26 Feb 2022 20:21:50 +0000

I appreciate your lessons Klaus.

By: Cody

Cody — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 19:07:03 +0000

Hi Klaus,
Love the goals and especially the inclusion of the health goals!

If you are interested in Wim Hof, I would highly recommend checking out ShiftAdapt as well. They have some great info on breathwork (of which the technique taught by Wim is only one piece). I think this is an area that could benefit musicians in so many ways, glad to see you’ve become interested in it and I hope you find it useful!

Best of luck in 2022!

By: Klaus Crow

Klaus Crow — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 06:15:57 +0000

In reply to Sharon.

Hi Sharon,
Happy to hear this post has got you back on track.
Just practice a couple of minutes a day. If you practice regularly you’ll build momentum
and you start getting back into the flow and it becomes a joy again.

Have a great one!
Best,
Klaus

By: Klaus Crow

Klaus Crow — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 06:10:02 +0000

In reply to Patty Adkins.

Hi Patty,
Thanks for your feedback. I appreciate it.
You’re totally right, we have no control over our lives and life can be pretty hard at times,
yet it is good for the mind and body to create some healthy habits, rituals or routines to
get you back up your feet and keep your spirit up.

Our mind is programmed that way. The brain likes to get thing organized and
see a clear picture of things and the ego likes the be in control. And that’s a good thing, it keeps us alive and balanced.
The Ego is also scared, overwhelmed, and afraid to fail, so just tell it that it’s going to be okay. It wants to be reassured.

Thanks again for being so open and honest.
Keep on picking!

Kind regards,
Klaus

By: Sharon

Sharon — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 00:56:30 +0000

Klaus,
This is the first time I’ve looked at guitar habits. I put down the old girl a month ago and want to pick it up again now! Thank you for all your wise comments that help us all…

By: Patty Adkins

Patty Adkins — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 16:07:34 +0000

Klaus thanks for your continued encouragement to all those who are students of the guitar. I am not liking getting older very much…
I’ve always told those younger than myself that “how you treat your body the first 50 is how your body will treat you the second 50.”
Either that is a very wrong statement or I’ve been bad to my body. I always thot eating right and/or being a vegetarian, running-biking-swimming, weight training, pursuing education, taking time for rest and relaxation, meditation, having a bright and positive outlook, interacting socially and giving back, being an ‘outside dog’, having a truly grateful attitude daily, etc. would not only benefit myself in the long run but also those around me.

Yikes. This last year (6 years if I’m really honest) has been an education and true eye opener. I’ve never given genetics any real credence. I have found that even with best of intentions and practice we are not in control of the future, at all. And life has smacked my family and I full in the face. Ugh.

Not wanting to sound like a bummer, I now realize that clean living, although it is great and the best gift we can give ourselves, is no guarantee we will escape the pitfalls and frailty of our humanity. Yet, in the midst of our trials and set backs we can still pick up our instrument of choice. Thus we may find ourselves briefly tho it be, in our own personal place of peace and contentment. Where we can feel safe. Where we can exhale and truly relax. We can find serenity, harmony and balance. And tho we may never fully understand the whats and wherefores we experience on our life journey; at the very least it is good to know we are amongst friends. Even if it is across the oceans, who genuinely care enough to send an encouraging word.

Thanks again for the positive influence you are having on my life and others.

Bless you Klaus.
Patty Adkins

By: Holy Maduha-Ncube

Holy Maduha-Ncube — Sat, 08 Jan 2022 08:06:41 +0000

THANK YOU KLAUS FOR EVERYTHING. MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY FOR THE SELFLESS WORK YOU DO TO HELP US ATTAIN BETTER GUITAR SKILLS. I AM STRUGGLING TO GET FORWARD IN BASS AND ELECTRIC GUITAR . I BELIEVE MAYBE I SHOULD PLAY SONGS INSTEAD OF CONCENTRATING ON SCALES AND CHORDS. BUT I WILL NEVER GIVE UP.. WHAT DO YOU THINK..????

By: Klaus Crow

Klaus Crow — Fri, 07 Jan 2022 19:18:18 +0000

In reply to Phil.

Hi Phil,
If you want to learn to solo, the best is to stick to one scale first.
Choose a scale like the major scale, the natural minor scale or the minor or major pentatonic scale.
Solos using the major scale and natural minor scale tend to be more melodic.
Solos used the minor pentatonic scale are used in blues and rock, while the major pentatonic is widely used in country music.

Learn that one scale inside out. Learn to play licks and exercises with that scale.
Learn to create melodic phrases with that scale.
Then learn the theory of what scale to use over what chords and progressions.
Learn famous solos using that scale so you learn the vocabulary and things will start to dawn on you.
If you have any questions reach out.

Best,
Klaus

By: Phil

Phil — Fri, 07 Jan 2022 17:09:26 +0000

Hi,
I’ve been playing a little over year and practice everyday. Sometimes it’s only 20 minutes sometimes its 2 hours. I started playing at 55 so I’m probably a slow learner, lol. I just purchased a fender amp with a looper. My goal is to work on my timing. The first attempt with the looper really showed me how important it is to be able to keep up. Another goal is to learn how to solo. I have learned several scales but more by position memory than what the notes are. I’m assuming if I continue to learn guitar theory then I’ll know how to create a solo to go over a background loop.
I think your goals are great! Good luck.

Phil

By: Klaus Crow

Klaus Crow — Fri, 07 Jan 2022 15:56:48 +0000

In reply to Bob Hunter.

Hi Bob,
That’s a beautiful sounding instrument. Love to play that one time.

I don’t want to be a wise guy, but have you ever heard of the Wim Hof Method?
There are a lot of people with arthritis who benefit from the WHM.
Maybe it can help you in anyway.
https://www.wimhofmethod.com

Warm regards,
Klaus