I was browsing through the internet the other day, and I got to thinking about how a lot of actors are singers as well (or at least, they try to be). Then I started to wonder why singing is such a popular second career for them. Sure singing requires training and talent, but I think that a singing actor is just playing it safe. Anyone can adjust microphone and sound settings to sound like a good singer, but where’s the talent involved in that?  In lieu of this question, I went on an expedition to find actors that go beyond singing and branch off into the beautiful world of guitars. I was a little surprised by my results…

The first person that caught my eye in my search was Adam Sandler. We all know and love him as a hilarious comedian, but did you know that he plays guitar too? He’s even got CDs out! If you watched the movie “The Wedding Singer,” then you got to at least have a taste of his talent, but this guy is much better than he lets on in the movie. His guitar tabs for “I Wanna Grow Old With You” from that exact movie are all over the web, but some of his CDs are a bit more under cover. If you do a little searching though, you can find Adam Sandler playing guitar all over the place.

Then there’s Keanu Reeves--the ever so serious Matrix man. He’s a very talented actor, sure, but he actually has a secret love affair with the bass guitar. He brings it with him to movie shoots some times, and he’s been known to blow people off just so he can play! Sound like any of you? I read one article (which may or may not be true) where he actually ignored instructions from one of his managers because all he wanted to do was play base that day. Now that’s dedication.

Then there is Kevin Bacon who actually has a band with his brother called “The Bacon Brothers”. How fitting, right? Kevin plays acoustic, as does his brother. Famous comedian Will Farrell can play guitar as well. Many of you may have seen him play in “Stranger Than Fiction” where he tried so hard to be a guitarist, but he really does take up the guitar as a hobby. I doubt we’ll see a CD anytime soon, but it’s still cool to know about.

Sadly, in all my searches, I found a big lack of female actors who play guitar. I don’t know why the girls aren’t stepping up to the plate, but they need to! If I’m going to let out everyone’s guitar playing secret, I at least want some variety! So ladies, if you’re reading now and you can play guitar, be proud of your talents, because apparently Hollywood women don’t think that highly of it. Crazy actresses.

I don’t care if you’re a nerd, a jock, a stoner, or all of the above--if you’re a guy and you can play a guitar, women will love you. You don’t have to go to a love guru or date doctor to learn how to hook up with women. All you need is a set of string and a chance, Women adore the way a guitar looks, sounds, and even feels, and as long as you’re holding one, they’ll think the same things about you.

The key to fully using the guitar’s powers is to work with both sides of it. For starters, you can take a simple acoustic song and make a woman melt like putty into your hands. You always see the guys in the movies throwing rocks at a girl’s window and then “woo-ing” her with their songs. Well guess what, that really works! Sure, some women might see you as more of a creepy stalker than anything else, but for the most part women find a guitar to be quite charming and romantic. If you’re going to serenade someone, the guitar is the only way to go.

But remember that other side of the guitar that I mentioned? Oh yes, that instrument has a dark side. Take an electric guitar on stage and be prepared to dominate the listeners with your power chords of love. For those of you out there who aren’t into the “soft and sensitive” approach, then you can use the guitar’s heavier side to still attract the ladies. With this method, there’s less “woo-ing” and more rocking, but it still works. You might draw in a different crowd of ladies, but you’ll still bring in a crowd!

The talented few men out there that can combine both the soft and hard sides of the guitar are wise beyond their years. If you can serenade a woman and make her scream in fanatic rage, then you’ve got the total package my friend. Both methods are great on their own, but when they’re combined--watch out! You’ll be using the guitar to beat the ladies off of you body. It can be fun, but dangerous, so only use your guitar to attract women every once in awhile. Oh who am I kidding--I know you’ll use it all the time. Just promise me you won’t use it to date five different girls at once, okay? And if you do, just don’t get caught…

Guitar + Mantra = A whole new way of life…At least that’s how we see things here.

The term “mantra” actually references a tradition in the Hindu culture that uses sound and repetition to create a sense of peace and focus. As a person repeats a particular phase, he or she is transformed by the vibrations emanating from the words. The sayings start to take on new meanings as people begin to associate the feeling with the word rather than just the definition. The most literal translation of the term mantra would say “to free from the mind,” referring to the way that the phrases remove a person from their thoughts and leave them with nothing but an exploration of the soul. A mantra releases a person from all the strains of the world and leaves them to ponder on what remains.

Now think about the strumming of a guitar--the constant repetition of harmonious vibrations. Indeed, the music acts as its own form of healing phrase, causing a person to go outside of their body. If you don’t know the feeling that I’m talking about, then you’ve never really played your guitar--or better yet, you’ve never experienced your guitar. Just try closing your eyes and playing the first thing that comes to mind. Isolate yourself for just a moment where there’s nothing but you and your guitar. After just a few seconds, you’ll probably forget all that you’re doing, and your hands will just play on their own. The chords, the notes, the beats, the pauses--everything will flow right out of you. No technicality involved. Just you, the guitar, and peace.

So that’s the theory behind Guitar Mantra, that if you truly get in touch with guitar, you can reach a new spiritual level. No matter what age you are or what you choose to play, there’s some type of relief for you along the fret board. You can experience at any time and in any place as long as you have your guitar in hand. Even if all you’re looking for is a temporary escape from the monotony of the world, you can use the guitar as a gateway to another realm--one free of thought, pressure, stress, worry. Your own mental oasis. So go ahead, walk away from the computer screen for just a couple minutes and get in touch with your guitar a little better. Close your eyes, play from your heart, and wait for the powers of the guitar mantra to take over…