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August challenge 2026 Martin W

Home › Forums › Active Melody Member Challenge Response Submissions › August challenge 2026 Martin W

  • This topic has 4 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 20 minutes ago by Don Patton jr.
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    • September 18, 2026 at 12:08 pm #422589
      Martin W
      Participant

        Hi folks, my submission for this month……struggles!
        The first thing that came to mind was tempo with standalone pieces , trying to find that sweet spot between to fast and to slow , I seem to automatically speed up when I think I’ve got a lick under my fingers .
        I’m using EP 394 bluegrass style as an example, there is a lick in this lesson that I’ve been battling with for ages ( I play it slowly at the start ) , this for me doesn’t sit that well under the fingers especially when the tempo is increased .
        It feels like I’m trying to cross a croc infested river on stepping stones ( not that I’ve tried 🤣) I seem to just rush things a bit .
        So the conclusion I’ve just really concentrated on the tempo and found my limit with it at least for now anyway, so this is more about overcoming the struggle.
        Look forward to listening to everyone’s submissions I am in a quite remote location on holiday with Wi-Fi a bit hit and miss so I will catch up when I can
        Martin

        • This topic was modified 3 hours, 26 minutes ago by Martin W.
        • This topic was modified 2 hours, 42 minutes ago by Martin W.
      • September 18, 2026 at 12:40 pm #422602
        Catherine Arsenault
        Participant

          Sounds great to me well done!!!!

        • September 18, 2026 at 1:30 pm #422625
          Michael L
          Participant

            Nice picking Martin! I played this lesson for a challenge a few years back, it’s not easy. You made it sound good though.
            I think Bluegrass requires a dedication to the genre. Those fast runs need to sink into the fingers/brain and that takes time. I enjoyed your rendition!

          • September 18, 2026 at 2:15 pm #422638
            JoeD1
            Participant

              I think you played that really well Martin. I enjoyed it very much.

              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

            • September 18, 2026 at 3:15 pm #422649
              Don Patton jr
              Participant

                Hi Martin,
                Your tempo sounded pretty good to my ear ! Nice blue grass vibe and flat picking in time. .good job 👍🎶🙂

                Don P

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