Home › Forums › Active Melody Member Challenge Response Submissions › December 2025 Challenge Response – Jonathan Amos
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Jonathan Amos.
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January 11, 2026 at 2:19 am #407061
EP 626 using Brian’s instrumental followed by EP 622 using Brian’s instrumental followed by EP 622 with a little help from my friends.
Two fabulous backing tracks and instrumentals by Brian but a real challenge for me, not least for my left-hand fingertips. I made the mistake of starting my practicing with the backing tracks slowed slightly, using Audacity, but not much, just enough so I could play the easy parts well and intending to work on the difficult parts. But I think that’s the wrong strategy, much better to start with the backing track slowed right down, get comfortable with the whole piece and then gradually increase the speed.
So for EP 626, Brian’s tempo really rocks whereas mine, 17% slower, sounds quite different, it sounds haunting. And the fast bits are still fast enough for me! I found the timing very difficult in many places because it’s essentially a drone and you really have to listen hard to get the very brief G-A change at the right time.
And EP 622 was slowed down 14%, at which speed it sounds nice and moody. Once again, timing was a challenge due to the stops, I couldn’t get it right until I got into the groove of the music, counting the beat did not help.
Jonathan Amos, Matsuyama, Japan
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January 11, 2026 at 4:19 am #407089
Both lessons were spotlessly played Jonathan! Slowing down the BTs in my opinion is always a good idea: you can work on timing and playing precision. In your renditions they were both perfect and the result very enjoyable to listen to! I can guess there was a lot of practice and work behind your performance and it definitely paid off!
Guido
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January 11, 2026 at 6:26 am #407129
Jonathan, both versions sounded really good to me. I wish I could play as fast as Brian, but I think it is of no use to rush things. I thinkg you’ve done a great job.
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January 11, 2026 at 6:33 am #407134
I like 626 that speed. Rocks hard and still has groove.
622 was great. Smooth and expressive. I like your addition too, sounds familiar 🤔
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January 11, 2026 at 7:23 am #407158
Very well done Jonathan. Especially liked your improv on EP622.
Joe
The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge -
January 11, 2026 at 7:33 am #407167
Sounding good to me! And I think the slow down didn’t affect the end product at all. Unless you are intimately familiar with the tracks, like I’m sure you are at this point, you wouldn’t necessarily be able to tell they are slowed.
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January 11, 2026 at 7:46 am #407175
Nice playing of both these, Jonathan – well done 👍🎶😎
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January 11, 2026 at 7:52 am #407182
Awesome playing, Jonathan. Everything sounded great!! Liked the tone on your guitar with the very clean notes and growling double stops.
Larry -
January 11, 2026 at 9:05 am #407218
Nice expressive bending on the second section and good improve phrases.
Go slow and practice correct technique, and your abilities will dramatically improve.
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January 11, 2026 at 9:23 am #407230
Great ideas, Jonathan! Especially the second half!
Lights. -
January 11, 2026 at 10:28 am #407273
Both tracks sounded great, Jonathan. I often slow the Soundslice down to 60% to get the feel and timing. I’m jealous of Brian’s “slow fingers”, it’s a rare treat when I can get his faster lessons up to full tempo.
John -
January 11, 2026 at 10:39 am #407281
One challenge doesn’t seem to be enough for you, Jonathan. Pretty ambitious. It seems like your passion for the guitar has taken hold of you again.
And not only that, both pieces sound great how you play them. I would have even liked to hear a third one.Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup will be at the beginning of next year 2026A detailed announcement will be posted here in the forum in good time.
I look forward to meet you.
Manfred -
January 11, 2026 at 10:47 am #407286
Great submission Jonathan – I suspect most of us slow down the faster backing tracks. As you demonstrated, it can change the character of the piece and produce something different but equally as good as the original.
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January 11, 2026 at 11:21 am #407299
Great playing on both pieces, Jonathan. Really enjoyed the slower versions.
James
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January 11, 2026 at 11:34 am #407306
Awesome playing Jonathan.
Sounds great even if it’s a bit slower.
Nice 335 you got there.AndréM
AndréM
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January 11, 2026 at 3:04 pm #407342
Hot rocky stuff.
Dieter
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January 12, 2026 at 3:37 pm #407504
Great playing on both these Jonathan. They’re challenging lessons with those fast licks, bends and tricky timing but you nailed them both.
You know, I think I prefer EP626 at that slower temp. Gives it a heavy groove, almost Robin Trower like. -
January 12, 2026 at 7:57 pm #407538
Really great sound and execution Jonathan! It was enjoyable to hear this familiar lesson played so well. Your tempo and articulation is right on. Lot’s of fun!
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January 12, 2026 at 9:20 pm #407548
Aaah., Jonathan, I LOVE your choices! EP622 was my first choice and while I worked on it for a week, a new lesson EP626 came out and I switched to that for the challenge. And you played them both, how cool! I totally liked them both at a slower tempo, both still rocked and sounded great under your fingers. My experience with the EP626 was very similar to yours – the drone-y backing track with a lot of percussion fills going on was tricky to follow, I kept playing ahead of the beat a lot. “Nice and moody” is right, loved it!
🎸JoLa
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January 12, 2026 at 9:33 pm #407552
Thanks, Jola. I just tried the same pieces on my Stratocaster and just couldn’t bend the strings enough, unlike playing on my Gibson, another lesson learned!
Jonathan Amos, Matsuyama, Japan
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