Max Planck on the Path to Musical Happiness

Tuesday Quotes are short explorations of music, life, and the daily endeavor of practicing classical guitar. Find more here. Enjoy!

“It is not the possession of truth, but the success which attends the seeking after it, that enriches the seeker and brings happiness to him.”
Max Planck

So often, we postpone enjoyment. We decide (without realizing it) to be happy only in the future.

We say to ourselves, “When I can play this big piece of music, then I’ll enjoy playing guitar.”

Or, “When I get to the next level in my studies, then I’ll be able to feel good about my practice.”

We create ideas of “success”, then bring ourselves pain when our realities don’t match them.

This is a recipe for suffering and dismay.

Why? Because the feelings of accomplishment of a goal attained last only a moment. Then we start looking for a new, bigger, better idea of success. And the cycle continues.

Goals are useful, and we should look forward to playing our favorite pieces of music one day (or mastering in the current lesson, etc.).

But the real payoff of a musical practice is the daily experience. We get deep pleasure and enjoyment from asking the “How”, and “What happens if…” questions (then seeking the answers).

Guitar practice is at its best when we put all thoughts of the future from our minds. We instead make the goal to achieve the small challenges we set for ourself today. Then we bring our full awareness and attention to the fine details of our work.

If we start to feel “hopeless”, or that we’re “just not getting it”, this is a helpful alarm. This tells us we’re off-center.

Problems are inevitable. There will always be something difficult with which we struggle.

But the problem is not the problem – the problem is how we’re thinking about the problem.

To get the most from every day of practice (even the short practices), we’ve only to bring our full attention to meeting small challenges.

From these humble pursuits spring the peace, reward and joy of a life of music.

Hi, I’m Allen Mathews.

I started as a folk guitarist, then fell in love with classical guitar in my 20’s. Despite a lot of practice and schooling, I still couldn’t get my music to flow well. I struggled with excess tension. My music sounded forced. And my hands and body were often sore. I got frustrated, and couldn’t see the way forward. Then, over the next decade, I studied with two other stellar teachers – one focused on the technical movements, and one on the musical (he was a concert pianist). In time, I came to discover a new set of formulas and movements. These brought new life and vitality to my practice. Now I help guitarists find more comfort and flow in their music, so they play more beautifully.
Click here for a sample formula.

After more than a year as a member, I remain impressed with the Woodshed, song courses, Tuesday quotes, weekly lessons, and the CGS community. Without my membership, I think my enthusiasm for learning classical guitar would have faded long ago. Instead, I am enjoying the process as I make steady progress in my playing.

~ Steve Dosh

-Steve Dosh

I came on board three months ago and I’m loving it more than ever. I have maintained my practice pattern. I’m sticking wholeheartedly with the program as written. That makes it easy to see what I NEED to work on rather than just playing the shiny places I’ve gone beyond…..I’ve learned to focus 100% on what I’m doing that very minute….I’m developing strength in my left hand...I spend time with the videos in the evenings and always find something more to help me. I’m not looking for info anywhere else. Everything I need is right here in The Woodshed. You say “Jump” and I say “How high.” I’m so grateful I found you. You speak in a language I understand.

~ Gloria Mader

-Gloria Mader