Someone told me that it is a sign of creativity to take ideas from outside your area and apply them to what you are working on. I will take that as a good thing.
My father took me to percussion lessons at about age 8. I played in school bands from junior high through high school to university. Along the way, I picked up a little experience with saxophone and trombone. But I picked up a guitar during my second year of university and have played it off-and-on ever since. Moving and Covid caused a break in the action.
I recently picked up an online guitar teacher called Klaus Crowe. He just posted a cool little essay regarding guitar practice called How To Be A Guitar Monk.
This is really cool. Let us try substituting our spiritual practices in place of the noun, “guitar.” Maybe prayer or meditation or study. Maybe even service. I’m posting some of the original. Make your own substitution for whatever spiritual practice (or guitar, for that matter) you need to work on.
“One guitar. One focus. One day at a time.”
1. Create a Sacred Practice Space
Designate a quiet, clean, distraction free place for your guitar. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just intentional. When you enter this space, you only play guitar. No phone, doom-scrolling or multitasking.
2. Set a Ritual Practice Time
Consistency is king. Choose the same time every day to practice, even if it’s just 15 minutes. Mornings are best for many, but anytime works as long as you’re consistent.
3. Focus on Fundamentals, Not Flash
Monks don’t chase applause, they seek mastery. That means practicing:
- Clean chord transitions
- Slow, accurate scales
- Perfect timing with a metronome
- Tone and dynamics
- Solid technique
4. Limit Your Tools
Many guitarists drown in options: pedals, amps, tabs, apps. A Guitar Monk thrives on limits.
Try this:
- One guitar
- One amp or no amp
- One notebook
- One piece of music at a time
- You’ll be amazed how much more you get done with less.
5. Practice Mindfully
Be present. No autopilot. Pay attention to:
- The intent behind your practice
- Mental distractions
- Your technique
- Your Posture
- Tension in your wrist, shoulders, arms, or jaw
- Slow down. Practicing slowly is a superpower. It builds precision, awareness, and muscle memory far more effectively than rushing.
- Listen deeply to each note. Don’t just play, hear the tone, the attack, the decay. Let your ears lead.
- Practice one thing at a time. Don’t multitask. Choose one goal, like cleaner chord transitions or even vibrato and give it your full attention.
- This turns practice into meditation and your guitar into an extension of your self.
6. Master Your Mindset
Before the fingers follow, the mind must lead.
Becoming a Guitar Monk isn’t just about technique, it’s about how you think.
- Detach from results. Focus on the process, not perfection.
- Replace frustration with curiosity. Mistakes are teachers, not enemies.
- Be patient. Real progress is quiet and gradual, like water shaping stone.
- Let go of comparison. Your path is your own.
- Return to the why. Ask yourself often: Why do I play? Keep that answer close.
- A calm, focused mind is the most powerful tool in your practice. Train it like your hands.
7. Commit Like a Monk
A monk doesn’t dabble, they commit fully, with heart and patience.
To follow the Guitar Monk path:
- Decide once. No daily debate. You practice because it’s who you are.
- Go deep, not wide. Master one piece or technique instead of skimming many.
- Be loyal to the process. Trust the repetition. Trust the slowness.
- Accept the quiet days. Not every session feels magical, that’s part of the path.
- Renew your vow. Each time you pick up the guitar, return with fresh intention.
- Commitment isn’t about pressure, it’s about peace in knowing your direction.
Becoming a Guitar Monk is not about being better than anyone else. It’s about becoming better than you were yesterday, through simplicity, focus, and devotion.
Gary Mintchell
Faith Venture 