Guitar Tips For The Aspiring Shaman

Over the years, I've been asked for tips on playing the guitar by a few people.
I don't consider myself to be a shaman
by any stretch of the imagination. I'm a messed
up cat like everyone else. But I realize and
embrace the healing power of music...

1. Breathe deeply when you play! - You need to release tension. If you watch any great guitarist jam - Jimmy Page, Eddie Van Halen, Carlos Santana, etc. - you'll notice their strong focus on breath! Besides opening up channels to invisible forces and vibes, it actually guides your phrazing in a beautiful way. Breath in: ease off. Breath out: Release. Try it...
2. Phrase your solos! - A phrased solo always sounds better than a frantic stream of consciousness. Think of your solos as verbal communication. Stop for air. Pause between sentences. People connect better with that human element.
3. Embrace the ritual! - Try this: Say a prayer, wash your hands or wipe off your strings(it's symbolic of a fresh connection) every time before you practice, or light a candle. Smoke a doobie, if that's what you're into, but always create a new beginning and an opened state of mind before you pick up your axe. Show it that it's a holy instument to you. It'll reward you for it.
4. Jam along with the radio! - OK, so you won't dig every song. It's all about versatility! Just crank the radio up and play with every song. Don't play their lines - compliment them. Jam your ass off and make that song kick even more ass than it already does. Solo like a maniac!
5. Can you whistle it? - I don't care how billy-joe-badass you are. Don't matter if you can whittle the balls off a charging rhino. If you can't leave your guitar and whistle or hum your lines, FuGgedabout people digging it for long!

So get off your ass and pick up that guitar!