"One Sound One Song"
"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 Band 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 could 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.
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