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Master Alternate Picking: Expert Guitar Instruction with Ivan Cardozo
"The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way." — Marcus Aurelius When my students first encounter the challenges of alternate picking, many feel overwhelmed by the seeming impossibility of coordinating their picking hand with speed and precision. Yet, as the Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius reminds us, obstacles aren't barriers to progress—they are the very path to mastery itself. Every moment of frustration with alternate picking is an o

Ivan Cardozo
Dec 31, 202511 min read
Mastering "Teardrinker" by Mastodon: Complete Harmonic and Technical Analysis from Boston's Ivan Cardozo
The Impediment to Action Advances Action. What Stands in the Way Becomes the Way." This Stoic principle from Marcus Aurelius perfectly captures the essence of Mastodon's "Teardrinker"—a song about confronting pain, regret, and the difficult choices that shape us. The title itself evokes the Stoic practice of acknowledging suffering whilst finding strength through adversity. Just as the Stoics taught that obstacles reveal our character and provide opportunities for growth, "Te

Ivan Cardozo
Dec 10, 20257 min read
How to Practice Your Guitar: Breaking Free from Musical Stagnation with Proper Guidance
"The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way." - Marcus Aurelius Are You Stuck in a Musical Rut?...

Ivan Cardozo
Jun 5, 20253 min read
How to Ace Your Cover Band Audition: A Professional Guitarist's Guide
Are you a guitarist in Boston dreaming of joining a working cover band? As a professional guitar instructor with years of experience...

Ivan Cardozo
Nov 15, 20243 min read
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