The Way of Mastery is a guide on Developing Your Own Path to Mastery within yourself.
This edition focuses on the development of technique as a way to create that path.
Let's begin.
The brain registers Correct Execution of Technique.
When you hit a baseball with your bat. Or When you correctly play a melody on a guitar. Or when you hit a bullseye with an arrow.
Your brain will save those successful attempts, and over time it will forget all of the mistakes you've made along the way.
This is true for any art or craft, and it's such a profound lesson that I found it crucial enough to start this entire guide with.
When I teach guitar, I have my students perform the techniques involved in the music over and over again. Further more, I have them
repeat the lessons in their head multiple times, because it enforces the principle outlined above. Every time they successfully repeat a part, they are strengthening their skills, on a physical and mental basis.
The brain registers the correct execution of technique, and this is true whether it is a physical technique or a mental technique.
Your brain will enforce whatever it is you successfully do - for better or worse - so you'd better make sure it's for the better :)
If you wish to Paint a masterpiece, you must know the techniques involved.
You've got to know about color theory, proportions, perspectives, mixing paint, preparing your canvas, etc..
The same idea applies if you wish to become an expert musician.
If you want to write a great song on the guitar, you must know about Fretting, Chords, Picking, Harmonies, Song Structure, Rhythm, etc.
While it's not totally necessary to understand every technical aspect of an art to create something that captivates others,
it Is important to be well practiced in them if you wish to create truly High Quality art; and to be considered a "master" by others, you much
strive to understand the fundamental elements of your art.
Technique is What you use to Create your Art. It is the "HOW" of your expression.
Developing technique allows your vision a pathway to use in order to become Real.
Early on in the course of my guitar lessons, I make my students create a list of all the techniques that they know.
It might look something like this:
* Left Hand: Fretting, Chords, Scales, Modes, Bends, Slides, Hammer On, Pull Off, Arpeggios, etc...
* Right Hand: Strumming, Picking, Finger Picking, Hybrid Picking, Alternate Picking, Palm Muting, etc..
This list gives them a direction to work on, and an inside look into How a part of a song is played.
I also work with them to create a "theory list" , as well as a "rhythm list". We'll save those ideas for later.
The list gives them a chance to see "under the hood", seeing how an artist prefers to write.
It also gives them an idea of what skill level they're at - Which is usually a confidence booster.
Furthermore, It gives them a list of "tools" to pick from when they are improvising or composing music.
You should create a list of techniques yourself for whatever art or craft that you're involved in..
Such a list for a carpenter may involve the principles of his work, and the tools used to complete the job.
(Tool and Equipment use, Framing, Materials, Foundations, Maintenance, Finishes, The Correlation of Materials, etc..)
Such a list for a Boxer might involve the methods of punching his opponent, while avoiding their own attacks.
(Jabs, Straights, Crosses, Hooks, Uppercuts, Footwork, Head Movement, Proper Breathing, etc..)
As you can see, the idea of examining the inner workings of an art can be applied to any craft.
I can go on and on with examples, but I suspect that you'll get the point by now.
The Soul expresses itself in the creation of art, and it does so through the use of the techniques.
On the Guitar, we perform these techniques in different combinations, that create patterns that we call Licks.
Every guitar player has his or her own "vocabulary", based on the licks they play.
Music is best thought of as a language, because it is one.
In future editions, I will discuss these last few ideas in detail, as well as other lessons that I teach on the guitar.
For now, think about what arts you practice, and what techniques are involved in it. Make a list, and think about
the combinations that you use those techniques.
If you don't practice any art or music - it's never to late to start.
I teach guitar online using video chat, and my lessons will soon be available on my own website: https://pickmastery.com
Feel free to contact me, and I'll gladly help you pursue your own path.
Thanks for reading my first Lesson on Inscripedia!
If you like it, feel free to follow along: https://x.com/King6string_