Adam Rafferty

One of the joys of my musical journey is to discover something musically and see that it also applies to all of life.

(Really guitar and “life”  are no different – since it’s our brains looking outward and seeing the contents of our own thought!)

I have been doing a lot of slow, deliberate practice on fingerstyle guitar pieces like “Thriller” and “Aqualeros do Brasil”  and “Fly Me To The Moon”  simply because I want the groove to be deeper and want the perfect sparkling and coordinated “mix” of melody, bass and accompaniment.

It never fails; once I put my mind on the role and job of my right hand thumb, I see that it has been pulled by the influence of the other right hand fingers, and is not as solid as I thought it was!

Once I slow my playing down (yes, my teachers were right about the benefits of slow practice)  and the thumb becomes the most important part of my focus, the whole piece of music falls right into line; perfect groove, perfect balance, and comfortable to play.

It made me ponder…when we set the basics in our life straight, and keep them on track, the small details always work out. On the contrary – if we seek to fix details without attention to the basics being right, we’re not really fixing anything…we’re just “busy”.

As above, so below.

Don’t believe me, check it for yourself!

A lot of people seem to think that since I am a touring “pro” guitarist with recordings and DVDs that I am “the expert” and that’s the end.  Not the case!  The truth is that I love studying, learning and practicing.

For example – over the last 2 weeks I’ve read  5 books on marketing, ad copyrighting and web technology  – and  I plan to re-read them because the info was so good.

Oh Goodness, Heavens Gracious!  Did Adam the guitar player just admit this?

Yes!  All this stuff other than playing guitar is also important for me to keep up on. They all serve my music, touring and career!

Discovering and realizing new things – musical and otherwise – is the fun part of the journey.  See what I am saying?

Here’s some great advice that I’d like to pass on from Brian Tracy – and this helps me keep my mind fresh in the way I have described…

Read 30 minutes in your field each morning.  This is called “The Golden Hour”  when the mind is clear, receptive and the day’s “tone” is set.   After a year – that’s a lot of reading.  Just think how much you’d learn.

The more you read and learn, the more you want to read and learn.  Like a muscle, the mind gets stronger when it’s used and weaker when it’s not.

Adam’s Advice:

Don’t check your email first thing in the morning.  That’s right! – wait.  That’s a “reactive”  activity as opposed to an active one.

If you are spending senseless time on video games, news sites, entertainment, and sites like Facebook,  fiddling with your “smart” phone – just say NO and set that time aside and read 30 minutes every morning.

Watch what happens to your life in a month.

Rock on!

Over the past several weeks I have read some great “social media” and “internet marketing” strategies from the leaders in the field.  While it’s been exhilarating, it’s left me with a hyped up “too much to do” feeling like I’ve had too much Starbucks Coffee.

The “gurus” teach how to sell and market, and try to sell me their stuff on how to sell. Huh?   Their circular logic works with me for a few rounds, but then I ask “has this person every actually done anything of value other than sell and market?”  I like the enthusiasm and techniques, but the over emphasis on hype and results, and under emphasis on “soul” conflicts with my values.

To my delight I just started book called “Mastery – The Keys to Success and Long Term Fulfillment” by George Leonard.  Mr. Leonard points out the American “war on mastery” – an epidemic of wanting things “quickly and easily”.  He then accurately describes the delicious, sweet, long term path to mastery through his story of Aikido.

The path to mastery is not a steady incline; there are growth spurts, and then long plateaus where on the surface “nothing” seems to be happening.  At first, the student feels that these plateaus are disheartening and frustrating and wants only the peaks.

It’s only when the student puts his (or her) head back in the work and “slugs it out” or “plods along” and forgets results, that they get back on track.  Along comes another “growth spurt”  and a plateau and that’s the rhythm of the path.  Sooner or later one learns to love the plateaus because one knows the growth is happening whether it’s apparent or not.

On TV and in movies, particularly in America, we are fed images of only the peak experiences, not the work surrounding them.  Imagine the ads you see – runners crossing the finish line in victory, a family sitting down at a cozy Holiday dinner, a couple on the beach sipping Pina Coladas, and let’s not forget the lottery and every lure of “making money – fast!”

These are all peaks, no “process”.  There is  no indication of riding through plateaus, slugging it out and allowing oneself to learn. Why is this?  Because it just “doesn’t sell”.

For someone aiming for quick and easy peaks, there will be a depressing “drop off” sooner or later, like a child who has opened the final Christmas present.  I can tell you first hand that the truly solid satisfaction comes not from these “peaks”,  but from plodding steadily along the path and developing something “real” and “solid” that can’t be taken away from you.

“Peaks” of mine (releasing CDs or DVDs, performing on a huge festival, doing a TV performance, getting a nice magazine spread, or racking up “Youtube Hits”)  simply pale in comparison to the joy of the real work.

When I practice, I do it for the love of doing it.  I play my scales every day with attention to “form”, relaxation, groove and tone.  I run my repertoire for the delicacy and delight of playing with a deep satisfying rhythmic pocket and fingers that perfectly “touch” the strings.

I plod along, day by day – and will do so for my whole life.  Day in, day out.  That’s what I do.  I practice for the love of practicing itself – with no result in mind.  This is how I practice guitar.

Great news!

JAZZIZ magazine has voted “I REMEMBER MICHAEL – A Michael Jackson Solo Guitar Tribute”  as a Critic’s Choice Top 10 CD of 2011.  Wow!!!

I am truly honored.  I worked very hard on this project by practicing guitar for hours and hours, funneling 15 MJ songs onto a little wooden box with strings, and using 10 just fingers and lots of imagination.

Thank you to JAZZIZ magazine – and extra special thank you to all of YOU who have watched my videos & commented (and egged me on for more).

Without your “audience participation” -  this CD project would never have happened.

Here you go…take a listen to “Human Nature”  from the CD….enjoy!

I just got back to NYC a few days ago from a short trip to Germany.  I was a guest artist at the Remschied Guitar Festival in Germany – and it was a lovely scene and experience.  The students were mainly classical and rock guitar players – and they were excellent.

With each student I see and teach, I see a little part of my past and history, and to be honest – I almost get “tear jerked” as I remember how much my beloved teachers helped, taught and mentored me.

During one masterclass, I got to pass on a lesson I learned from mentor – Mike Longo.

There was a young student there who was playing Andy McKee’s “Drifting”.  In case you are unfamiliar with this tune, it’s a guitar / percussion tour de force in which the left hand frets notes upside down, and the right hand frets notes as well.  This is one of Andy’s YouTube Hits – with over 30 million views.  It is an awesome piece of music.

My 15 year old student learned this neat piece of music from watching on YouTube.  Yes he did a great job technically, but as the teacher I needed to help him take this piece to “world class level” rather than just “very good for a student”.

I remembered all the musical  “ass whoopings”  I got and realized this was the medicine required. 

First off, I told him to play “Drifting” with me as I played the djembe drum. I had to take him to “my” zone, have him hear and feel the relentless smack of the drum, and deal with me grunting and egging him on.  No escaping the Raf Groove.

Then, I had the entire class  clap quarter notes, stomp feet and get in on it – to push him even harder as he played.

Do you see the shift?  He went from a student “I’m gonna perform for you, and I hope you approve”  attitude  to US all being a tribe, thumping and ALL being in on it together.  Just think of the different energy and non verbal communication that was set into motion for all of us there!

The “roar”  that came out of his guitar by the end of this process was strong, confident and authoritative.  It was a total “vibe change”  and everyone’s energy was raised – but most importantly, his.

YouTube makes imitation easy – but as far as a world class VIBE goes,  “apprenticeship” with a mentor who has gone the mile is a musical requirement.

When a bell is struck, it vibrates and then in turn vibrates the air molecules around it.  Waves of air molecules eventually hit one’s eardrum and vibrate the eardrum.

When we hear the sounding bell, we think and perceive the bell as “out there” but the sound is really “in here”.  It’s the eardrums reaction to being hit by the vibrating air molecules.

Isn’t it interesting how we perceive not just sounds – but people, events, smells, sights and all sensations as originating “out there”  when in fact they are inner experiences?

When the line of what’s “out there” and “in here” starts to blur for me it’s actually quite fascinating.  We can change my perception of what’s out there if we want.

Here’s a fun example of how we all have different perceptions of the same “thing” out there.  You may see from this that perception could just be an inner experience.

Today in the Aachen, Germany train station I could not help but notice a very attractive woman…long black hair, (looked freshly blown and straightened from the hair salon), silver hoop earrings,  tight jeans, black boots and a coat with a big furry collar and to boot she had a gorgeous face.  I even got a smile from her.  Hey, what’s not to like?

On board the train, I was asked by a female conductor for my ticket.  I looked up and – oh gosh, it was her!  Huh?

She was an undercover cop, busting riders who thought they’d get away with a free ride on a regional train!

Aha!  If they see an official conductor, that could alert freeloaders to run to the bathroom hideout.  Luckily, I paid for a ticket and got a second chance to flirt.

Off in the distance I heard desperate arguments from riders (one teenage girl rider was almost in tears) followed by my favorite lady cop’s unwavering demands for 50 euro as a penalty.

Talk about a tough cookie!  She was not taking no for an answer.  Her job was to shake people down for money, and she was on the warpath!

In review – someone who boosted my ego and made me feel good today pretty much destroyed a few peoples days and caused them to be upset.

She was the same person all day, but depending on one’s perception, you either liked her or hated her.

Perception – ain’t it a bitch?

We all make New Year’s plans and resolutions – plans on how to “work hard” to “get what’s out there.”  I’m offering you a different angle on that idea….

I recently picked up a copy of Deepak Chopra’s book “The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire” and just finished it on a plane ride to Europe.  What’s not to like about a title like that?

“The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire” is an excellent book.  Deepak is a dedicated meditator and I felt that the book pulled me into the peaceful, mystical, “boundless” place that he writes from.   I am thankful to feel very chilled out right now.  I needed that!

I admit, I sometimes fall prey to the state of “wanting more”,  and I work every day at finding peace and gratitude for what I’ve got.  I always come back to finding that my joy, peace and creativity comes from being spiritually centered.

“Wanting more” is in fact the cause of pain and restlessness itself.   There is a cure though.  Once we are thankful for what we have and enjoy a feeling of peace within,  more comes rushing into our lives. That’s the irony!

I read something in the book that resonated with me, a message I much needed to hear as I gathered ideas about “achieving goals in 2012″, and I’d like to share it with you.

“Suppose a hunter in the Amazon rain forest is having difficulty finding game.  If he goes to a Shaman, neither the hunter nor Shaman looks anywhere but within the hunter himself to solve the problem.”

“It never occurs to them to say something like ‘There’s no game out there’. “

Happy New Year, and may all your good find you in 2012!

For a few years I have practiced outside my NYC apartment in the building hallway.  I do this to get away from my laptop and also enjoy natural reverb!

Moments ago, I heard little guitar strings getting plucked outside my door by someone else.

I sensed that I was being summoned, so I opened my door to see who it was.

A little boy named Matthew (age 7) got a mini guitar for Christmas.

His family lives 2 apartments down the hall…he’d been inspired by hearing me play out there.

I asked him if he liked Michael Jackson, and his face lit up. “I love Michael Jackson!”

I asked them to wait one moment at my door.  I came back out with a gift in hand.  I handed him & his mom an “I REMEMBER MICHAEL” CD.

“WOW!!!”

As I gave inspiration to this little guy, I was reminded that this is what it’s REALLY all about – passing inspiration forward.

(This is written especially for college level music students, young musicians considering a career in music and recent music conservatory grads…but also anyone else in the music or arts.)

Many musicians and artists treat “selling” like a nasty disgusting word.  They feel that “selling”  means “selling out”  and I am here to say – that is not the case.  I say – selling music is cool, hip and fun!

Selling is the very oldest profession in the world despite what you may have heard otherwise.  It is very noble.  Without a sale of some sort, nothing moves.

In all areas of life, whether it’s the invention of smartphones, computers, restaurants, movies, hardware, clothing, housing, toys, you name it – the sale of something is the essential fuel to keep all of it going.

The sales person is the link that makes it all possible so that creativity and innovation can in fact, continue.

So, if you want to be the best in your field,  you will need to sell something and selling your music is the surest way for you to stay involved with your music.

Even J.S. Bach sold his musical skills. He had point by point contracts with the towns in which he lived, and constantly re-negotiated financial improvements to his current deals.  He was a master composer and salesperson!

Like many musicians I used  to think “I am not a salesperson, I am a musician and I shouldn’t have to do this crappy work!”

I’d then be very upset when I had to “sell” because there was a clash with my self concept (“I’m a musician”) and my actions (“I am selling, but I shouldn’t have to deal with selling.”).

I think that many musicians share this “glitch” in their mental-emotional wiring.

Most music schools don’t tell you the following, but should:

• When you get out of school, the only way you will survive is by selling something, be it music or otherwise.
• If you work at a music school as a teacher or office person you are selling your time and expertise.
• If you work anywhere you are selling your time and skills.
• If you play a gig you are selling your skills and providing the venue, promoter and audience with something valuable.
• If you have a recording studio you are selling time, use of equipment and skills.
• If you are not selling your music, then you may have to sell your soul because you will have to sell something.

So doesn’t it seem like the science and psychology of selling should be addressed?  Funny that it’s not.  It’s a taboo topic like porn or something.

School gives you the “what to sell” but not the “how to sell.”  Your musical chops won’t sell themselves all the time.

Your words, dress appearance but most of all, your MIND – help you sell your musical skills, products and expertise. Getting good at selling means you don’t have to sell your soul and it insures that you can spend your future as a creative musician.  That’s what Bach did!

Selling is a skill like any other.  Pro sales people rehearse, strategize and think.  Amateur sales people “wing it” and get spotty results.

If you are not interested in selling, I say get interested now, because either you’ll be selling your music or you’ll be selling something else….maybe your time working for someone else with a vision stronger than yours!

The main lesson here for you is to have the “shift” inside yourself to know that selling is ok, it’s noble, it’s necessary.  This is the beginning of the “inner game”, which must occur before the outer game of “selling combat” can begin.

To pay your rent and eat – you will need to sell something.  Tell me, what will you sell?