Home › Forums › Active Melody Member Challenge Response Submissions › July 2026 Challenge Response – Michael L
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sciencefiction.
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August 14, 2026 at 10:26 am #420609
Hi everyone, this month was so open (no pun intended… space… open?) that it was not easy to pin down exactly what to play. I spent time listening to backing tracks and settled on EP115, a lesson on guitar with piano. Nice medium tempo piano track which was a good foundation for my acoustic guitar. And then, letting creativity and use of space take it from there. This is primarily a major pentatonic lead with some double-stops here and there. Oh, and the soft-focus effect comes for free! I didn’t realize how bright the sun was behind that window blind. Hope you enjoy!
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August 14, 2026 at 11:48 am #420627
That was so smooth Michael. Lovely melody and the double stops and bends were spot on. Your spaces made it sound like a conversation.
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August 14, 2026 at 1:37 pm #420655
Great rendition -very melodic
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August 14, 2026 at 2:21 pm #420668
Awesome work Michael, not predictable at all.
Go slow and practice correct technique, and your abilities will dramatically improve.
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August 14, 2026 at 2:26 pm #420672
That was very pretty Michael. The double stops, slides, and bends all added to the smoothness.
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 -
August 14, 2026 at 4:56 pm #420720
I remember that ep115. Actually its in my bookmark. AKA To do list. I liked the way you pulled it off. Great work.
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August 14, 2026 at 7:08 pm #420731
Great submission Michael.
Relaxing and mellow.
Love the long spaces.AndréM
AndréM
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August 14, 2026 at 11:28 pm #420757
That worked like a charm, Michael. Strangely enough, I also considered using that backing track. I thought the contrast in sound from the piano vs guitar would offer many good opportunities for leaving space. And you just proved that to be true. Well played!
Sunjamr Steve
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August 15, 2026 at 12:44 am #420762
Well chosen track. Piano and acoustic guitar go together beautifully! Love these double stops, bends and dreamy melodic lines. I like your phrasing. Very well done, Michael.
More Blues!
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August 15, 2026 at 7:46 am #420804
A really sweet combination of piano and guitar. The silences every now and then were just what was needed.
Jonathan Amos, Matsuyama, Japan
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August 15, 2026 at 7:57 am #420814
Lovely, Michael.
My favourite lick was at about 2:15 where you used the fuller major scale, something I am trying to do more of lately.
EP 115 was one of my first AM submissions. In the early days Brian would repost a few videos on his Facebook page. I got something like 1,500 views and felt like a star😊.
John -
August 15, 2026 at 8:57 am #420833
What a wonderful composition, Michael. The two instruments harmonize absolutely perfectly.
Thank you very much, Werner
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August 15, 2026 at 9:29 am #420849
Micheal that was awesome great melodic submission really well done!!!
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August 15, 2026 at 10:44 am #420880
Great take on this lesson, Michael. The piano and acoustic make a perfect duet. And your playing brings out the best in this track.
James
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August 15, 2026 at 11:28 am #420888
Great job Michel very nice peaceful playing and that Acoustic sounds amazing!
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August 15, 2026 at 2:35 pm #420951
You blend in beautifully with the backing track, Michael, and create such lovely melodies that they just make you melt. And the space you leave makes them shine even more. Very musical!
Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom.
The next Meetup will take place in OctoberThere will be a detailed announcement here in the forum a few weeks before.
I look forward to meet you.
Manfred -
August 15, 2026 at 5:44 pm #421006
Fantastic Michael. Mellow and yet uplifting at the same time. Your melody had plenty of space to breathe.
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August 15, 2026 at 6:18 pm #421007
Perfect pick, Michael – one of my most inspirational backing tracks by Brian – and I knew you would come up with something equally beautiful and sweet sounding to complement that. Always impressed by your relaxed fretboard navigation, something I strive for. The free soft light effect gave it a romantic feel, I often use the natural backlight on purpose like that to soften the lines. That might have been a cool accidental effect but your ability to charm us with your melodies is definitely a deliberate skill!
🎸JoLa
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August 16, 2026 at 3:44 am #421035
I agree with the others, the piano track goes so well with your acoustic , a fine choice digging that one out of the archives.
Sweet melody you created with lots of space letting those phrases stand out .Martin
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August 16, 2026 at 8:04 am #421110
Michael, the sun is always shining over your shoulder.😀 I think you enjoyed working this out. It was beautifully melodic, the tonal qualities between guitar and piano matched superbly and it resulted in a nice composition. Great find for the backing track. I love taking a deep dive into Brian’s library of stuff and finding something like this. You demonstrated a nice command of the fretboard here. Job well done.
John
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August 16, 2026 at 8:49 am #421123
Excellent composition, Michael. Very soulful and great playing. Great melody. Skillfully executed and in the pocket all the way!
Larry
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