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AM February 2022 Challenge Response – Mike W

Home › Forums › Active Melody Member Challenge Response Submissions › AM February 2022 Challenge Response – Mike W

  • This topic has 76 replies, 39 voices, and was last updated 3 years, 3 months ago by Mike W.
Viewing 38 reply threads
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    Posts
    • February 25, 2022 at 2:56 am #298416
      Mike W
      Participant

        Good day, Hope you are all well.

        The Challenge was to compose a piece containing only C, F and G chords, with connecting runs etc. I took this to mean major chords. I came up with this short and fairly sweet tune, complete with the usual fluffs and hesitations.

        A new thing for me was to overdub some chord sweeps using Audacity. It wasn’t totally successful, I struggled to get the balance right. For some reason it sounds much better through headphones – presumably the problem was with my laptop speakers.

        Thank you for watching. I’m looking forward to hearing everyone’s submission. Here’s the link –

        Keep safe.

      • February 25, 2022 at 3:52 am #298421
        Martin W
        Participant

          Hi Mike , a sweet tune for sure , nice idea starting on the higher register and then a cool connecting run to first position sets things up nicely , good use of CAGED shapes throughout.
          Well played

          Martin

          • February 27, 2022 at 1:53 pm #300281
            Mike W
            Participant

              Thanks Martin, very kind words.

          • February 25, 2022 at 4:27 am #298426
            Dieter
            Participant

              The proof to make beautiful, effective music with a few notes and chords.

              Dieter

              • February 27, 2022 at 1:53 pm #300283
                Mike W
                Participant

                  Thanks Dieter, I appreciate your kind comment.

              • February 25, 2022 at 5:26 am #298434
                Mark T
                Participant

                  Very pretty composition, Mike, beautifully played 👍🎶

                  I listened through headphones, and it sounded fine! I’ve sometimes found my stuff sounded rubbish if I just changed headphones, let alone trying speakers – also, the TV has a life of its own as it adjusts for loud noises – oh, how we suffer for our art 🤓😊

                  • February 27, 2022 at 1:54 pm #300284
                    Mike W
                    Participant

                      Many thanks, Mark.

                  • February 25, 2022 at 5:46 am #298442
                    charjo
                    Moderator

                      So pretty, Mike. Your chord connections were terrific. Really nice tone, also.
                      John

                      • February 27, 2022 at 1:55 pm #300286
                        Mike W
                        Participant

                          Thanks for your kind comments, John.

                      • February 25, 2022 at 7:30 am #298472
                        Michael L
                        Participant

                          Hi Mike, I really enjoyed this one. Your lines down in first position I thought were especially nice.

                          • February 27, 2022 at 1:56 pm #300287
                            Mike W
                            Participant

                              Thanks, Michael. I don’t know where that melody came from – it just appeared.

                          • February 25, 2022 at 7:49 am #298485
                            David S
                            Participant

                              That was very enjoyable. I like the idea of starting in the upper register and then moving down the neck using the CAGED system. Nicely played.

                              David S.

                              • February 27, 2022 at 1:57 pm #300288
                                Mike W
                                Participant

                                  Many thanks David.

                              • February 25, 2022 at 8:39 am #298512
                                Tim Read
                                Participant

                                  Nicely done the tone and changes up the neck in the opening section were very cool..

                                  TimR

                                  • February 27, 2022 at 1:58 pm #300292
                                    Mike W
                                    Participant

                                      Thanks Tim. Although the piece is in C I decided I want to start with an F chord. It seemed to work ok.

                                  • February 25, 2022 at 8:50 am #298517
                                    James B
                                    Participant

                                      A pretty tune with lush tones Mike. Sounds great through the headphones.

                                      James

                                      • February 27, 2022 at 1:59 pm #300293
                                        Mike W
                                        Participant

                                          Thanks James, I appreciate your comments.

                                      • February 25, 2022 at 9:27 am #298530
                                        Reuben B
                                        Participant

                                          Really nice tone from that guitar. I particularly like the chord connection starting 26s in the video.

                                          • February 27, 2022 at 2:00 pm #300295
                                            Mike W
                                            Participant

                                              Many thanks Reuben.

                                          • February 25, 2022 at 10:21 am #298559
                                            Phil B
                                            Participant

                                              Well arranged with a transition from the top of the neck downwards as the tune progressed. You certainly hit the brief as far as using CAGED is concerned. Sounds great through my headphones.

                                              • February 27, 2022 at 2:00 pm #300296
                                                Mike W
                                                Participant

                                                  Many thanks Phil.

                                              • February 25, 2022 at 1:57 pm #298647
                                                Lights
                                                Participant

                                                  Sweet melody, Mike! Very good usage of the whole neck longitude.
                                                  Lights.

                                                  • February 27, 2022 at 2:01 pm #300297
                                                    Mike W
                                                    Participant

                                                      Thanks Meelis, I appreciate your comments.

                                                  • February 25, 2022 at 2:13 pm #298658
                                                    sunjamr
                                                    Participant

                                                      Pretty cool, Mike. You were all over that neck. Sounds fine on my speakers.

                                                      Sunjamr Steve

                                                      • February 27, 2022 at 2:02 pm #300299
                                                        Mike W
                                                        Participant

                                                          Thanks Steve for your kind words.

                                                      • February 25, 2022 at 2:36 pm #298682
                                                        Garry
                                                        Participant

                                                          Beautiful tune Mike on a beautiful looking and sounding guitar. Music always sounds better through headphones but this sounded just great on my little iPad. Loved the bass work too. All the best!

                                                          • February 27, 2022 at 2:02 pm #300302
                                                            Mike W
                                                            Participant

                                                              Many thanks Garry, I appreciate your comments.

                                                          • February 25, 2022 at 3:02 pm #298713
                                                            JoLa
                                                            Participant

                                                              Sweet little melody, Mike 🙂 I especially liked your descending intro and the matching ending. Very tasteful playing, sounded great (in my headphones)!

                                                              🎸JoLa

                                                              • February 27, 2022 at 2:03 pm #300303
                                                                Mike W
                                                                Participant

                                                                  Thanks for your kind words Jola.

                                                              • February 25, 2022 at 3:24 pm #298733
                                                                Richard G
                                                                Participant

                                                                  That sounded really sweet through my headphones Mike, the tone you achieved was an added bonus to the performance.

                                                                  Richard

                                                                  • February 27, 2022 at 2:04 pm #300304
                                                                    Mike W
                                                                    Participant

                                                                      Thank you Richard, I appreciate your comments.

                                                                  • February 25, 2022 at 5:12 pm #298809
                                                                    Alan K
                                                                    Participant

                                                                      Nice use of triads Mike. Relaxing piece. Loved the transition into the bass lead runs.

                                                                      • February 27, 2022 at 2:05 pm #300305
                                                                        Mike W
                                                                        Participant

                                                                          Thank you Alan.

                                                                      • February 25, 2022 at 8:17 pm #298869
                                                                        AndréM
                                                                        Participant

                                                                          Nice composition.
                                                                          Sweet and mellow.

                                                                          AndréM

                                                                          AndréM

                                                                          • February 27, 2022 at 2:05 pm #300307
                                                                            Mike W
                                                                            Participant

                                                                              Many thanks Andre.

                                                                          • February 25, 2022 at 9:15 pm #298905
                                                                            Bruce D
                                                                            Participant

                                                                              Hi Mike,
                                                                              Nice playing, a very sweet tone on this one – well done.

                                                                              Bruce

                                                                              Just focus on the notes you DID get right . . . Frank Vignola

                                                                              • February 27, 2022 at 2:06 pm #300309
                                                                                Mike W
                                                                                Participant

                                                                                  Many thanks Bruce.

                                                                              • February 26, 2022 at 2:26 am #298964
                                                                                Manfred M
                                                                                Participant

                                                                                  You really covered the whole neck, Mike. And you created a beautiful melody with so much musical taste. I enjoyed it.

                                                                                  Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
                                                                                  The next Meetup will probably take place in July/August 2025

                                                                                  There will be a detailed announcement here in the forum in good time.

                                                                                  I look forward to meet you.
                                                                                  Manfred

                                                                                  • February 27, 2022 at 2:06 pm #300310
                                                                                    Mike W
                                                                                    Participant

                                                                                      Thanks Manfred, you’re very kind.

                                                                                  • February 26, 2022 at 6:31 am #299064
                                                                                    Scott M
                                                                                    Participant

                                                                                      Beautifully put together melody delivered with the finesse that it deserves, excellent tone for the piece, well done Mike!

                                                                                      Scott

                                                                                      • February 27, 2022 at 2:07 pm #300311
                                                                                        Mike W
                                                                                        Participant

                                                                                          Thanks for your kind words Scott.

                                                                                      • February 26, 2022 at 7:43 am #299124
                                                                                        JFL
                                                                                        Participant

                                                                                          Very nice composition Mike. The recording was good but could have been a little louder. Well done 👍

                                                                                          JFL

                                                                                          • February 27, 2022 at 2:08 pm #300312
                                                                                            Mike W
                                                                                            Participant

                                                                                              Thanks J. I never seem to get the balance right.

                                                                                          • February 26, 2022 at 12:15 pm #299260
                                                                                            WBlues
                                                                                            Participant

                                                                                              Very well played, Mike. You created a nice melody using the whole fretboard. Well done.

                                                                                              Play guitar just like you live; don't get bogged down in theory, it's just a tool without feeling.

                                                                                              Wilfried

                                                                                              • February 27, 2022 at 2:09 pm #300314
                                                                                                Mike W
                                                                                                Participant

                                                                                                  Thanks for your kind words Wilfried.

                                                                                              • February 26, 2022 at 1:08 pm #299309
                                                                                                Paul S.
                                                                                                Participant

                                                                                                  I listened while crunching on nacho chips but it still was clear and crisp and sweet. You gave it a nice light touch.

                                                                                                  • February 27, 2022 at 2:10 pm #300316
                                                                                                    Mike W
                                                                                                    Participant

                                                                                                      Thanks Paul. Hope you enjoyed your chips.

                                                                                                  • February 26, 2022 at 4:14 pm #299498
                                                                                                    Bob Utberg
                                                                                                    Participant

                                                                                                      Ok Mike, I realize the calendar says Feb 26th of this year 2022!! However, your AWESOME tune in C/F/G took me back to December and that great classic tune Silver Bells! You have it right there: C and F and G! Make your own arrangement my friend and show off for friends and family in 9 months! Loved it!!! Bob

                                                                                                      Bob U. (aka Bobby Ut)

                                                                                                      • February 27, 2022 at 2:12 pm #300320
                                                                                                        Mike W
                                                                                                        Participant

                                                                                                          Thanks Bob. Glad you liked it. I’ll look into the Silver Bells – I hadn’t noticed a similarity tbh.

                                                                                                      • February 26, 2022 at 4:37 pm #299516
                                                                                                        Enrico
                                                                                                        Participant

                                                                                                          very melodic and nice sweet tone. loved how you connected the chords all over the neck, up to the high register. I really think this is what every aspiring guitarist should learn and master, before even thinking scales..
                                                                                                          well done!

                                                                                                          • February 27, 2022 at 2:13 pm #300321
                                                                                                            Mike W
                                                                                                            Participant

                                                                                                              That’s very kind Enrico, thank you.

                                                                                                          • February 26, 2022 at 5:53 pm #299565
                                                                                                            Don Patton jr
                                                                                                            Participant

                                                                                                              Mike
                                                                                                              I liked your intro and your walk down at the end of your arrangement! A smooth laid back vibe for sure. Nice one !👍

                                                                                                              Don P

                                                                                                              • February 27, 2022 at 2:14 pm #300322
                                                                                                                Mike W
                                                                                                                Participant

                                                                                                                  Many thanks Don.

                                                                                                              • February 26, 2022 at 5:56 pm #299567
                                                                                                                Juxi
                                                                                                                Participant

                                                                                                                  Very well done, Mike. I liked your tasteful, delicate tune very much. Perfectly played, too – the fluffs were not noticeable and the occasional hesitation added to the sweetness of the melody. Well done!! 👍🏽
                                                                                                                  However you have to tell us, why the chair under the door knob is necessary… didn’t you get a “recording sign” recently? 🤔😉

                                                                                                                  Bluesige Grüße
                                                                                                                  Juxi

                                                                                                                  • February 27, 2022 at 2:17 pm #300323
                                                                                                                    Mike W
                                                                                                                    Participant

                                                                                                                      Hi Juxi, thanks for your kind words. The chair is at the back of the room because when I’m playing I’m more comfortable on a tall stool. So I move the chair out of the way in front of the cupboard door.

                                                                                                                  • February 26, 2022 at 6:59 pm #299592
                                                                                                                    FergalT
                                                                                                                    Participant

                                                                                                                      Sounds great to me! Very pretty tune and nice arrangement. Well done

                                                                                                                      • February 27, 2022 at 2:18 pm #300324
                                                                                                                        Mike W
                                                                                                                        Participant

                                                                                                                          Thanks, Fergal.

                                                                                                                      • February 26, 2022 at 10:53 pm #299682
                                                                                                                        Pap
                                                                                                                        Participant

                                                                                                                          Mike, nicely done. I like the slides you did with your ring and middle fingers. I will have to play around with that. Great job on this composition! Cheers. Pap.

                                                                                                                          • February 27, 2022 at 2:19 pm #300326
                                                                                                                            Mike W
                                                                                                                            Participant

                                                                                                                              Many thanks Pap. That slide has become one of my favourite licks – it’s very useful.

                                                                                                                          • February 27, 2022 at 5:46 am #299885
                                                                                                                            Serena C
                                                                                                                            Participant

                                                                                                                              Nice submission Mike! I’ve also enjoyed the clean smooth sound!

                                                                                                                              If I wasn't making mistakes I wouldn't be the kind of player I want to be. Perfection is dangerous.
                                                                                                                              It's all about taking risks, sometimes you get to some place, sometimes you get to a different place. (Brian May)

                                                                                                                              • February 27, 2022 at 2:20 pm #300327
                                                                                                                                Mike W
                                                                                                                                Participant

                                                                                                                                  Thank you Serena.

                                                                                                                              • February 27, 2022 at 8:01 am #299989
                                                                                                                                sciencefiction
                                                                                                                                Participant

                                                                                                                                  Great little ditty you came up with, Mike. I really liked how you made you introduction way high up there on the neck and then came down the neck for the second part. A very interesting composition with multiple enjoyable tones and melodies. And that electric guitar you used sounded so cool for this! Totally captured my interest.
                                                                                                                                  Larry

                                                                                                                                  • February 27, 2022 at 2:22 pm #300332
                                                                                                                                    Mike W
                                                                                                                                    Participant

                                                                                                                                      Thanks for your kind comments Larry. The Peerless is my favourite guitar – I think it’s probably the best one I’ve ever played.

                                                                                                                                  • February 27, 2022 at 10:37 am #300097
                                                                                                                                    Tom D
                                                                                                                                    Participant

                                                                                                                                      Your song is clear as a bell Mike. And the melody is soothing and so nice to hear. Really well done.

                                                                                                                                      Cheers, Tom

                                                                                                                                      • February 27, 2022 at 2:23 pm #300335
                                                                                                                                        Mike W
                                                                                                                                        Participant

                                                                                                                                          Thanks Tom, I appreciate your comments.

                                                                                                                                      • February 27, 2022 at 11:23 am #300134
                                                                                                                                        David H
                                                                                                                                        Participant

                                                                                                                                          Very well done my friend. Glad to see I am not the only one that likes to end a song on a high note!

                                                                                                                                          • February 27, 2022 at 2:26 pm #300337
                                                                                                                                            Mike W
                                                                                                                                            Participant

                                                                                                                                              Many thanks David, glad you liked it.

                                                                                                                                          • February 27, 2022 at 11:37 am #300153
                                                                                                                                            Phil67
                                                                                                                                            Participant

                                                                                                                                              Nice work of the right hand, keeping the chord and sliding on a single string.
                                                                                                                                              Composition is nice and melodic.

                                                                                                                                              Where does the white go when snow melts?

                                                                                                                                              • February 27, 2022 at 2:28 pm #300341
                                                                                                                                                Mike W
                                                                                                                                                Participant

                                                                                                                                                  Many thanks Phil. That’s one of my favourite licks.

                                                                                                                                              • February 27, 2022 at 2:57 pm #300372
                                                                                                                                                Livio M
                                                                                                                                                Participant

                                                                                                                                                  Hi Mike
                                                                                                                                                  Very beautiful and not obvious delicate melody.
                                                                                                                                                  Good composition.

                                                                                                                                                  Livio

                                                                                                                                                  • March 4, 2022 at 9:24 am #301340
                                                                                                                                                    Mike W
                                                                                                                                                    Participant

                                                                                                                                                      Thanks Livio – I appreciate your comments.

                                                                                                                                                  • February 27, 2022 at 5:50 pm #300501
                                                                                                                                                    Andy N
                                                                                                                                                    Participant

                                                                                                                                                      Great work Mike and sweet composition. I liked how you started in the higher register and then worked your way lower with those connecting runs. Well played.

                                                                                                                                                      • March 4, 2022 at 9:25 am #301341
                                                                                                                                                        Mike W
                                                                                                                                                        Participant

                                                                                                                                                          Thanks Andy, I appreciate your comments.

                                                                                                                                                      • February 28, 2022 at 7:18 am #300712
                                                                                                                                                        John H
                                                                                                                                                        Participant

                                                                                                                                                          Sweet and dulcet Mike… nicely done.

                                                                                                                                                          • March 4, 2022 at 9:26 am #301342
                                                                                                                                                            Mike W
                                                                                                                                                            Participant

                                                                                                                                                              Many thanks John.

                                                                                                                                                          • March 3, 2022 at 7:24 am #301254
                                                                                                                                                            Jonathan Amos
                                                                                                                                                            Participant

                                                                                                                                                              A pretty little tune played with a nice warm tone. I use Audacity, it’s easy to use and does everything I need and more!

                                                                                                                                                              Jonathan Amos, Matsuyama, Japan

                                                                                                                                                              The farther one travels the less one knows.

                                                                                                                                                              • March 4, 2022 at 9:28 am #301343
                                                                                                                                                                Mike W
                                                                                                                                                                Participant

                                                                                                                                                                  Many thanks, Jonathan, I appreciate your comments.

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