Category Archives: Creativity

Creating in all areas, the creative process, creative problem-solving.

The value of identifying your values

Posted on December 4, 2011 by

I was asked a few months ago by Pat Strother of Strother Communications to name my three core values as an artist, musician and composer. He was looking for a three-word distillation of the guiding principles that motivate me to … Continue reading →

Posted in Composing, Creativity, Performing, Thoughts | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Do you want to be original?

Posted on November 4, 2011 by

Somebody called me crazy in a guitar blog recently, referring to the integrated percussive guitar style I invented. It made me smile. I took it as a compliment. To me, “crazy” means things like refreshing, innovative, ahead of its time, … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Creativity, Guitar, Literature, Music, Thoughts | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

What is practicing?

Posted on October 29, 2011 by

I am often asked how I practice, what I practice, and how much time I spend practicing guitar. I always feel like answering: I don’t :^) This is not true of course. But what is true is, the practicing I … Continue reading →

Posted in Composing, Creativity, Guitar, Music, Performing, Touring, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Moving forward requires making decisions

Posted on July 31, 2011 by

I am writing a tune at the moment. I have reached a point in the development of this tune where a decision must be made about what the tune is, what it is saying, and where it is going. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Composing, Creativity, Guitar, Music | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

The groove cloud

Posted on July 17, 2011 by

While teaching a guitar workshop this past weekend, I was reminded of a key factor in the performance of music: the connection between groove and memory. In order to teach “Tractor Pull”, one of my busier tunes, it was necessary … Continue reading →

Posted in Composing, Creativity, Guitar, Music, Performing | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Compositions can evolve technically

Posted on July 4, 2011 by

While checking the accuracy of a transcription of one of my tunes today, I ran into a familiar problem: I now play the tune slightly differently than I did when I first wrote and recorded it. In order to avoid … Continue reading →

Posted in Creativity, Music, Thoughts | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

My new guitar

Posted on March 28, 2011 by

It was time for a new guitar and a new sound. My custom Ovation Adamas was unlike any ordinary Ovation because it had been built especially for me, using special materials and a special pickup system. It had been my … Continue reading →

Posted in Creativity, Guitar, Music, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 12 Comments

Power Napping and Creativity

Posted on July 20, 2009 by

Monday, 20 July 2009 In Australia you see billboards along the highways urging you to pull over and take a power nap if you feel tired. As a touring musician I learned to take power naps (aka cat naps) long … Continue reading →

Posted in Creativity, Health and Well-Being | Leave a comment