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April 2026 Challenge – Charjo

Home › Forums › Active Melody Member Challenge Response Submissions › April 2026 Challenge – Charjo

  • This topic has 26 replies, 26 voices, and was last updated 1 day, 13 hours ago by snakechisler.
Viewing 25 reply threads
  • Author
    Posts
    • May 8, 2026 at 5:23 am #414543
      charjo
      Moderator

        Hi members,

        My initial thought was that I need some rock chords and distortion and this is what I ended up with.
        Two voicings each of an A major 7th and D major 7th returning to an Asus2 and second time to an A maj 9th.
        Hope this qualifies.
        Looking forward to all your creative submissions.
        Happy Mother’s Day to all the AM mom’s.

        John

      • May 8, 2026 at 5:42 am #414545
        Richard G
        Participant

          A beautiful arrangement John, your chord selection and mellow tone gave it that lavish feel. Just right for the next TV Historical Drama Series.

          Richard

        • May 8, 2026 at 5:53 am #414548
          Laurel C
          Moderator

            John, very dreamy with drops of tranquility. A far cry from rock chords and distortion. (Though you could do an arrangement with the light and shade of both, now that would be interesting). It is so pleasant and emotive to listen to but also sophisticated in its arrangement.

          • May 8, 2026 at 7:36 am #414585
            Mark T
            Participant

              This is such a pretty piece you’ve come up with, John – I could listen to this over and over. Beautiful. – Mark 👍🎶😎

            • May 8, 2026 at 8:28 am #414613
              Manfred M
              Participant

                This is such a smooth and gentle hook idea, John.
                And played to perfection with so much feeeeeel!

                Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
                The next Meetup will be July

                There will be a detailed announcement here in the forum
                I look forward to meet you.
                Manfred

              • May 8, 2026 at 8:43 am #414617
                John H
                Participant

                  Love the video filter affect
                  Love the arrangement-Classy, fluid and catchy
                  For some reason I was expecting something like “Crossroads” or ” Purple Haze”

                  Impressive🎶🎸😎

                  John

                • May 8, 2026 at 9:01 am #414622
                  Martin W
                  Participant

                    Those maj 7s evoke that laid back dreamy sound , nice arrangement and a catchy tune, the simplicity of your chord choices work well .

                    Martin

                  • May 8, 2026 at 11:06 am #414648
                    Michael L
                    Participant

                      Hey John, when did you start playing jazz?! Sounds so smooth and melodic. Funny, I imagined a TV commercial for bubble bath or the like. It has that relaxing sanctuary vibe.

                      • May 8, 2026 at 1:24 pm #414733
                        charjo
                        Moderator

                          I can’t let you have all the good chords, Michael.
                          John

                      • May 8, 2026 at 12:04 pm #414671
                        sciencefiction
                        Participant

                          Well, I was expecting a Sunshine of Your Love type lick, but this is even awesomer!
                          Reminds me immediately of Erik Satie (think Gymnopédie).
                          Very creative composing and beautifully played!!
                          Larry

                        • May 8, 2026 at 12:11 pm #414676
                          JoeD1
                          Participant

                            I thought I was gonna hear some Purple Haze-esque hook but you blew me away with that light and spacey melodic hook John!

                            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

                          • May 8, 2026 at 12:22 pm #414692
                            Alan L
                            Participant

                              Beautiful progression. That would be a fun loop to jam over!

                            • May 8, 2026 at 1:05 pm #414721
                              Andy N
                              Participant

                                Seen a different side to you this month John. The Larry Carlton side! That’s a super progression with the sweetness of the major 7ths and the sus chords. Love that evocative sound. Extra credit too for composing a hook which stands on its own, unaccompanied. Spot on 👌

                              • May 8, 2026 at 1:19 pm #414729
                                Pap
                                Participant

                                  John, what comes to mind when I listened to this is a Disney movie theme song. Really nice! pap

                                • May 8, 2026 at 3:09 pm #414772
                                  Michael Krailo
                                  Participant

                                    Those are some expensive chords.

                                    Go slow and practice correct technique, and your abilities will dramatically improve.

                                  • May 8, 2026 at 3:17 pm #414776
                                    Raffaele S
                                    Participant

                                      The atmosphere is ethereal and relaxing….the chords you chose fit perfectly and you played them really well. Excellent.

                                    • May 8, 2026 at 5:47 pm #414797
                                      sunjamr
                                      Participant

                                        Yep, that works as a hook for me. I can’t wait to hear what comes next….

                                        Sunjamr Steve

                                      • May 8, 2026 at 8:43 pm #414844
                                        Bill
                                        Participant

                                          Really lush and pretty sounding John. Good to hear this side of your playing.

                                        • May 8, 2026 at 11:09 pm #414875
                                          AndréM
                                          Participant

                                            Beautiful arrangement.
                                            Superb tone.

                                            AndréM

                                            AndréM

                                          • May 9, 2026 at 12:00 pm #415058
                                            Gary W
                                            Participant

                                              Beatiful John, I love to listen to your work & this was no exception. I could hear that piece worked up to be placed maybe as an intro, break and conclusion/outro to a Lana Del Ray song. Lovely.

                                              Gary

                                            • May 10, 2026 at 3:28 am #415236
                                              Werner
                                              Participant

                                                Wow !!!! That´s music is “dreamy” and the sound you found for your guitar and this composition fits perfect. Thank you,

                                                Werner

                                              • May 10, 2026 at 3:49 am #415248
                                                Carpa
                                                Participant

                                                  Beautiful arrangement with a very warm sound 👍

                                                • May 10, 2026 at 4:13 am #415263
                                                  Guido
                                                  Participant

                                                    The I – IV major 7th and other voicing chord sequence is always a winner, and your short composition over this progression is beautiful, so well played and melodic, John! Great work and a treat for the ears.

                                                    Guido

                                                  • May 10, 2026 at 1:52 pm #415354
                                                    JoLa
                                                    Participant

                                                      So lush and jazzy, loved it! The tone was simply delicious – this will definitely stay in my head for a while now 🙂

                                                      🎸JoLa

                                                    • May 10, 2026 at 4:21 pm #415388
                                                      Juxi
                                                      Participant

                                                        Just beautiful, John. Matching video work, awesome submission! 👍🏽👍🏽

                                                        Bluesige Grüße
                                                        Juxi

                                                      • May 10, 2026 at 11:23 pm #415457
                                                        Dieter
                                                        Participant

                                                          Wonderful harmonic playing.

                                                          Dieter

                                                        • May 12, 2026 at 10:45 am #415659
                                                          snakechisler
                                                          Participant

                                                            It sounded like the best elevator or phone hold music ever

                                                            And
                                                            I mean that as a compliment

                                                            It just washes over you and you exhale relax and go ahhhhh

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