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Here it is, the end of December 2023, and time for the December challenge, but first,
Happy new year, Active Melodians!This month’s challenge is to pick a tune that you can play on the spot, if somebody just hands you a guitar and says take it away. I had a few in mind, none of which I can play mistake free. But I came up with this BB King solo, which I learned from a very old BB interview years ago. I think it was even before you tube. The interviewer just said to BB, ‘play us something’.
Needless to say, BB didn’t freeze up (that’s what playing out 300+ times a year gets you).
So here’s this month’s challenge, hope you like it – and hey, added bonus, a special new year’s appearance from Allyn . . .Tech notes: I only own 2 pedals, an EP-Booster which hardly gets any use, and one I picked up last year. It’s called the Jr. Barnyard, named after Junior Bernard, Bob Wills’s guitar player. Its circuitry mimics a pre World War II octal tube pre amp, for instance by Gibson (“octal” – 8 pins in the base of the tube). There’s a certain sound from guitar players in that era, that I’m trying to capture. I removed my usual Pocket Pod amp emulator, so no effects, no reverb, no overdrive. This is just the Tele, plugged into the Jr. Barnyard, then into the amp, a Fender Pro Junior IV tube amp, about the simplest amp you can get. It has 2 knobs, Volume and Tone. I don’t know if I achieved 40’s tone here, but always trying.
Enough tech talk. All the best in 2024!
Here ya go, and happy new year . . .Just focus on the notes you DID get right . . . Frank Vignola
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You really don‘t need no jam track, Bruce. Great blues jam with yourself. Authentic BB Vibe. I enjoyed it. Happy new year to you and your wife!
Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup will be on February 28, 2026For more information click here
I look forward to meet you.
Manfred -
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Very nice BB Blues jam and improv! You really got that BB vibe on your guitar. Such tasty licks and 9 and diminished chords. Love the straight tone.
Finally I got to see again your lovely wife Allyn😇. She loves your music, listening “over and over again” 😂.
Happy and healthy new year to you both🥂🌞.More Blues!
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Very nice video Bruce. Your laid back style is always a treat to watch/listen to. I love the technical explanation, very instructive. HNY to you and Allyn.
Cheers,
Marc
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That was a nice surprise to see and hear from Allyn! I think I saw her before in one of your submissions, Bruce. Please give her my greetings and the best wishes for a happy new year.
@Allyn: we enjoy playing music and interacting with Bruce very much, too! 😊 he plays a very important role in our little community, so thanks for supporting him! 👋🏽Bluesige Grüße
Juxi -
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Like Garry said, “Perfect for a smokey bar lounge scene!” The peeps would dance the night away to your tasty licks my friend! I love how your PERFECTLY copy BB’s first finger vibrato (i.e. @ 5:29 into the vid)! Oh, and keep that awesome sidekick Allyn arand ‘n @!!! Does she have Yinzer Blood in her??? Loved the well wishes from you and Allyn! Thank you Bruce. You are a BLAST to have on the Forum.
Bob U. (aka Bobby Ut)
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