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June 2026 „Two Chords“ Challenge Response – Manfred M

Home › Forums › Active Melody Member Challenge Response Submissions › June 2026 „Two Chords“ Challenge Response – Manfred M

  • This topic has 23 replies, 23 voices, and was last updated 14 hours, 42 minutes ago by Pap.
Viewing 22 reply threads
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    Posts
    • July 17, 2026 at 2:23 am #418963
      Manfred M
      Participant

        Hey my AM friends,

        For the Two Chords Challenge, I drew inspiration from EP 314, “Minor Key Composition.” I really like this EP, partly because of its descending bassline.
        Using I and IV (Dm and Gm) of this composition and leaving the V (A7) out of it, I came up with a rhythm that also incorporates the descending bassline.

        Along with that, I played a solo melody that popped into my head. In the middle section, I use a few phrases from Brian’s EP.

        Even though I didn’t get back from Greece until early July, I already had everything recorded last week. It’s just nice when things come together so harmoniously.

        So, now I’m looking forward to your comments and, above all, your two-chord ideas.

        Best wishes to you all!
        Manfred

        Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
        The next Meetup will be on July 25, 2026

        For more information click here

        I look forward to meet you.
        Manfred

      • July 17, 2026 at 2:58 am #418967
        Ben C
        Participant

          This blows EP314 out of the water! This is a perfect composition (in my humble opinion). Beautifully done

        • July 17, 2026 at 3:55 am #418969
          Dieter
          Participant

            Very fine melodic and soulful composition. Sounds really grea.

            Dieter

          • July 17, 2026 at 5:17 am #418979
            Mark T
            Participant

              What you came up with here, Manfred, is simply incredible – no suspicion of any restricted chord sequence at all; it sounded like a complete, well constructed and absolutely beautiful composition. Well done. – Mark 👍🎶😎

            • July 17, 2026 at 6:05 am #418996
              Michael Krailo
              Participant

                So well done and perfectly executed. Hope your vacation went well Manfred.

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

              • July 17, 2026 at 6:09 am #418998
                Mike W
                Participant

                  What a beautiful melody, Manfred, I could have listened to that for quite a lot longer. You’ve put together a wonderful composition and played it to perfection. I thought the tone on the guitar sounded slightly Greek-influenced in places. It was only when you played a lick that I recognised that I realised that I knew the EP that inspired you. However, your piece is an original, not a copy or variation.

                • July 17, 2026 at 7:00 am #419018
                  Denise
                  Participant

                    Beautiful melody you have created out of that Brian’s lesson.
                    Wonderful chord progression. The rhythm chords are more than two but that doesn’t matter. Your creativity is your only guidance. Love the rhythm pattern, too.

                    More Blues!

                  • July 17, 2026 at 7:17 am #419024
                    Alan L
                    Participant

                      The descending bass line makes it sound way more complex than just 2 chords. Very clever, well played and very pretty!

                    • July 17, 2026 at 7:29 am #419030
                      JoeD1
                      Participant

                        Yup, that was pretty sweet and chillaxed!

                        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

                      • July 17, 2026 at 8:03 am #419045
                        Jonathan Amos
                        Participant

                          A lovely melody and very well played.

                          Jonathan Amos, Matsuyama, Japan

                        • July 17, 2026 at 9:03 am #419056
                          Martin W
                          Participant

                            Nice work Manfred , adapting the arrangement to suit , and making it your own .
                            Beautiful melody , very soulful.
                            One of your best to date .

                            Martin

                          • July 17, 2026 at 10:15 am #419073
                            John H
                            Participant

                              Manfred
                              this was wonderfully composed and brilliantly performed. It’s really musical and melodic. I love what you did here. Great acoustic vibe as well. MASTERFUL.

                              John

                            • July 17, 2026 at 11:27 am #419092
                              James B
                              Participant

                                Wonderful composition, Manfred. Your finger style guitars are played and recorded beautifully. Love the walk down too.

                                James

                              • July 17, 2026 at 1:18 pm #419103
                                Michael L
                                Participant

                                  Really nice Manfred. I thoroughly enjoyed this composition. Mellow and melodic and such a folky acoustic piece. Bery well done!

                                • July 17, 2026 at 3:57 pm #419162
                                  JoLa
                                  Participant

                                    Absolutely beautiful, Manfred! Despite of your long stay in Greece and limited time for practice and recording, you sound like you’re on top of your game with this recording! Not only a beautiful composition with just a hint of EP314 because of that descending bass line, but also the quality of the recording was superb! I could listen to your playing here for way longer 🙂

                                    🎸JoLa

                                  • July 17, 2026 at 7:13 pm #419185
                                    sunjamr
                                    Participant

                                      Nice composition, full of great phrasing, not boring at all. Well played! But I’m sure I heard about 12 different chords in there. Or maybe I was just dreaming.

                                      Sunjamr Steve

                                      • July 18, 2026 at 10:27 am #419314
                                        Manfred M
                                        Participant

                                          I thought the same thing, Steve, while I was preparing this challenge—it’s actually more than two chords. But after watching Brian’s explanation in EP 314 again, where he says it’s just two minor chords with a descending bassline, and since I use exactly the same patterns in my rhythm track, I decided to go along with that interpretation.

                                          Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
                                          The next Meetup will be on July 25, 2026

                                          For more information click here

                                          I look forward to meet you.
                                          Manfred

                                      • July 17, 2026 at 8:05 pm #419197
                                        AndréM
                                        Participant

                                          Awesome composition.
                                          Very well played.
                                          Can’t decide between a Beatles and a Jim Croce vibe.

                                          AndréM

                                          AndréM

                                        • July 18, 2026 at 12:52 pm #419365
                                          Tremelow
                                          Participant

                                            I am seriously impressed, Manfred. Your fingerstyle guitar is really coming along and your composition is almost Beatleesque.

                                          • July 18, 2026 at 1:53 pm #419374
                                            David H
                                            Participant

                                              Beautiful melodic notes, especial the haunting ones. Well at least they were to me. Timing of notes was great, nothing rushed, and the bend at the 45 second mark was perfection.

                                            • July 19, 2026 at 2:18 am #419464
                                              Werner
                                              Participant

                                                Great post, Manfred. You’ve interpreted and brought to life Brian’s basic idea for the EP brilliantly. I think it’s one of the best compositions (so far!!!). Thank you so, so much for that.

                                                Wirklich beeindruckend was Du da geschaffen hast, Respekt !!!! und große Anerkennung.

                                                Werner

                                              • July 19, 2026 at 6:10 am #419502
                                                Bill
                                                Participant

                                                  Beautiful Manfred! 👏
                                                  I like the descending line cliche you put in there a few times, very Beatles-esque, but also implies that there is much more going on harmonically than just our two chords. A great way to build tension and release.

                                                • July 20, 2026 at 12:42 am #419611
                                                  Laurel C
                                                  Moderator

                                                    This is wonderful Manfred, to adapt Ep314 and take out the A chord it becomes a two chord composition. Keeping the link with the descending line cliche, beautiful music. I’m sure you could adapt this to a one chord composition and still sound beautiful.

                                                  • July 20, 2026 at 2:16 pm #419685
                                                    Pap
                                                    Participant

                                                      Really nice playing with this 2 chord challenge. I remember this lesson and really like the melody. Hope to see some Greece pics on your next submission:). Pap

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