"One Sound
One Song" is what distinguishes zenguitar.com from all other guitar/music-related sites. It
is the musical heart of Zen Guitar.
"One Sound One Song" is both a musical
teaching method and a loosely structured composition,
written by the author, that is held out as a path to musical
transcendence. It consists of 12 basic themes that can
be woven together organically, depending on mood of the
player and the moment, and played for any length of time.
Thus each composition, while consisting of the same elements,
is unique in its own right. No two performances of the "song" are
the same.
The "One Sound One Song" concept serves
several purposes:
1. It gives zenguitar.com a unique aesthetic
identity.
2. It provides a musical means of teaching the
spirit and principles of Zen Guitar, through lessons, method
books, videos, and workshops. A method book explaining the
system is currently in production. Video and workshop programs
will follow.
3. It provides the structural basis for jam
sessions between players unfamiliar with each other, and
gives the ZG "practice hall" an organizing logic.
4. It provides the basis for performance and
recordings by the author, creating a fan base for his musical
works.
"OSOS" as an Internet art project:
In the days of LP records, the most continuous
music an artist could present was about 25 minutes a side.
The advent of the CD made it possible to offer about 80 minutes
of continuous music. The Internet, with streaming audio,
now makes it possible to offer a never-ending song. That
is what "One Sound One Song" proposes to be: one
continuous song, morphing through time, out to infinity,
never ending. Listeners would be free to tune in and tune
out of the song as they please. Guest artists would be invited
to "take over" the song at various intervals, adding
to or changing the composition. These guests would be announced
in advance, creating special events and listening moments.
"OSOS" as live performance:
The Zen Guitar Project would
tour and perform "One Sound One Song" via the traditional
route of club venues and concert halls. But the concept also
lends itself to street performances, festivals, art galleries,
schools, and meditation centers. In addition, there is an
opportunity for experimental performances as well. In the
same manner that Chuck Berry tours alone, using local musicians
at every venue who are familiar with his songbook, a Zen
Guitar tour ould consist of the author performing "One
Sound One Song" with local musicians trained in the Zen
Guitar method at various stops (see the Zen
Guitar Jam Band). Eventually, as more people become trained
in the ZG method, the author envisions huge-scale jam sessions,
using OSOS as the means to create the largest jam in the
world--Peace through Zen Guitar.
All performances would be recorded and uploaded
onto the website. In addition, Dojo members would be invited
to record/perform their own versions of "One Sound One
Song," which could then be compiled for release through
the ZG Dojo. In the spirit of Zen Guitar, songwriting royalties
from "One Sound One Song" could go toward charitable
activities.
To
hear a sample of "One Sound One Song," click here
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