Moving 

Lean your guitar against a tree. Wait for a good wind. Have a good proper listen. That’s about as good as it gets. Anything more intentional isn’t going to be as mellifluous, as pristine, as perfect, as subtle. So let’s take it all less seriously, with a little humility, and have a little fun even though we know we can only do so much. And if we need to remember how to play, there’s always the tree and a good head wind. 

The guitar rests on the lap and then against our body. Our third point of contact is the forearm of the right arm. The arm can pivot from this point. Up and down, round, clockwise, anti-clockwise. Just the arm is moving.  

It is still a found object. So we don’t mind how the strings are tuned. Yours will be different to mine. 

Let the thumb brush against the strings on the way down. The fingers on the way up. Remember the wind. 

If you have never played before, have this thought: “I don’t need to make a sound.” 

If you’ve played guitar before, you may want to try “I don’t need to pluck the string.”

Feel the muscles of the hand wanting to do something. Tell them they don’t need to. “You don’t need to move, the arm is moving.”

Then start moving in a circle. Anti clockwise. The thumb touches the strings as it goes past. It will touch more than one string at a time and ideally a different combination with a different pressure every time. Is it the same this time as last time? No. It’s never the same. 

Go smaller and smaller until there’s only one string. Maybe a different one each time. Not the same as me. Not the same as last time. 

Have the thought: “I don’t need to choose a string.”

When we think 

“I don’t need to make a sound.” 

“I don’t need to pluck the string.”

“I don’t need to choose a string.”

We’re thinking thoughts designed to inhibit habitual thoughts. 

I need to be accurate 

I need to pluck the string 

I need to pluck the correct string. 

No thanks. 

I don't need to be accurate

I don't need to pluck the string

I don't need to pluck the correct string

The right arm moves in a circle. Anti clockwise. The thumb touches the string on the way past. Let it touch the lowest string. D. I don’t need to be accurate. 

Clockwise. The fingers start touching the strings on the way past. 

Move the index finger forward. Go smaller until there’s only one string. Move it back. 

Move the middle forward. Go small until there is only one string. Move it back. 

Move the ring finger forward. Go smaller until there is only one string. Move it back. 

I don't need to move the fingers. 

While you think this just move them. Thumb and then fingers. Touch the fingers together. Put one forward, put another forward. Put two forward. Change combinations. 

I don’t have to choose the string.