Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind... I was introduced to this Buddhist concept of shoshin in Sunryu Suzuki's book of the same name many years ago.
To approach things in life with the openness and curiosity of a beginner, even when we allegedly have great experience and expertise in a field, is the invitation here. "The practice of shoshin acts as a counter to the hubris and closed-mindedness often associated with thinking of oneself as an expert." Being an "expert" is a trap I've fallen into many times as a musician, and has often set me apart in an isolated and rigid state of control, void of flow... even closed to trying things outside of my comfort zone (and that really stops growth). I'm committing myself in this moment to a state of openness.
"In the beginner's mind, there are many possibilities; but in the expert's mind, there are few."
This song is truly a "first" for many things for me musically, and is the first song I produced on Ableton Live, which is why I named it as such. You can hear how curiosity and new pathways have led to a different sound. I hope you enjoy it.
from "The Way Forward", January 10, 2025
Ananda Vaughan - Guitars, Production
Shannon Hayden - Cello
Mixed by Spencer Williams
Mastered by Oz Fritz for High Velocity