Active Melody August 2025 Challenge Response — Paul S.

[Paul S.]

I missed last month’s challenge while I was away in upstate New York at Pete Wernick’s bluegrass camp, but at least I was not ignoring my guitar.

I eventually settled on E and A major for this month’s two-chord challenge, creating a backing track with my acoustic and playing a lead with my electric. The electric part is more crunchy than I would have preferred, but I didn’t have time to do another take.

(Doing one more take is like owning one goat. They are social animals, so if you want to own one, you must really own three, so if one dies, you still have a pair. To get one error-free guitar take, I have to do five — or one really long one, then edit it down. In this case, I stitched two pieces together and covered up the camera angle switch by showing you some photos from last month’s bluegrass camp, including me playing with a stage full of pros who act as instructors at the camp.)

[Michael L]

Hahaha!! Paul, you KNOW we were all looking for you in that group photo! Hope the camp was all the fun it looks like.
I loved the vibe on your playing here… strong jam band feel, and I don’t think the lead was too crunchy. It worked for me. I really like those low note bends at the end of a phrase. It’s that tension-release thing that always pleases. Lot’s of fun in this one!

[AndréM]

Paul excellent composition.
Love the tone but I think a little more volume on your lead.

AndréM

AndréM

[Jennifer D]

Not too crunchy for me sounded great, really great in fact!

[JoeD1]

I really enjoyed this Paul and thought the tone was perfect!

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

[Bill]

Nice one Paul, definite Jam band vibes. The crunch was a nice juxtaposition to the acoustic and gave you that great sustain.
I’ve loved the music camps I’ve gone to and so great to play with like minded musicians of all levels there.

[Richard G]

Fabulous improv Paul, some beautiful phrasing with a creative recurring theme throughout. So well played, loved it.

Richard

[James B]

That’s a cool two chord jam, Paul. Bandcamp looks like fun. I was expecting some bluegrass music. Is that you singing in the picture?

James

[Paul S.]

I’m afraid so.

[sunjamr]

What, no bluegrass? Aren’t there any 2-chord bluegrass songs? Anyway, I liked your crunchy E/A jam just fine. Well played!

Sunjamr Steve

[Alan L]

Nice melodic lines, and the dynamic arc is very engaging. Well played.

That camp must’ve been awesome. My banjo buddy goes often, he loves it.

[Scott M]

Awesome groove! Loved the theme you created with your lead lines. Well played Paul 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Scott

[Manfred M]

Right from the bluegrass Camp into the crunch sound, Paul. That‘s a move.
But in any case, you’re proving your versatility. I liked it. Nice jam with yourself. I would call it “Crunchy Goat Jam.”

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup is expected to take place in November 2025

There will be a detailed announcement here in the forum in good time.

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[Juxi]

I liked the “Crunchy Goat Jam” very much. 😊 You had a good groove going, Paul, and playing was excellent. However, I am most impressed with how you looked on that stage with all the pros. That looks very pro-like to me! Great hat!
👍🏽😎

Bluesige Grüße
Juxi

[Dieter]

Very fine performance.

Dieter

[JoLa]

Actually, I liked the tone quite a bit, it sounded more soothing than crunchy to me! Very well constructed and played, Paul. The goat analogy cracked me up, so that’s why we take many takes, aha! 🐐 🐐 🐐😂

The bluegrass camp looks like a serious musicians’ event, it must have been fun, lucky you! And yeah, thanks for saving me time and pointing yourself out in the massive group photo, haha!

🎸JoLa

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