April 2026 Challenge Response – Alan L

[Alan L]

I have to say this was a bit daunting! How does one set out to make a hook that others will find memorable and catchy?

I heard a 4 bar loop in a pop song on the radio I liked, and copied that progression with a new melody. (Em – C – G – G.) I played around with some different layers and ended up with this. A hair over at 0:43!

Thanks for listening 🙂

[Ruediger V]

Red hot 🙂

[Mark T]

Had a nice groove to it, Alan – I could definitely see it being the ‘hook’ that is returned to again and again in a longer piece. – Mark 👍🎶😎

[Martin W]

Cool groove with the bass line and a catchy hook that would sit well in the mix .
Yeah I agree definitely a different challenge theme this month but a fun one .

Martin

[Michael L]

Hi Alan, I think the bass into hooked me as much as anything. It reminded me of Queen “Under Pressure”. I like the whole thing, but that into gave it all of its flavor to my ear.

[Michael Krailo]

I hear the repeating hook, so well done Alan.

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

[JoeD1]

Nice one Alan!

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

[Pap]

Just like that:). Nice job Alan. Cheers. Pap

[sciencefiction]

Very original hook, Alan. This really grooved man!! Loved that short one note ending too, which further accentuated the main cool lick.
Larry

[John H]

Don’t know the answer to your question but I really like this…. captivating and memorable!! Well done Alan.

John

[sunjamr]

That’s a pretty original take on a hook, even though you say you borrowed the idea from a pop song. Nice arrangement!

Sunjamr Steve

[Bill]

Hey Alan, sounds like an indie pop rock tune from the 90s. Really cool ideas.

[AndréM]

Awesome bass hook.

AndréM

AndréM

[charjo]

The bass line had a great hook and then you added the lead line weaving around it in such a great way.
I like your process of finding the overlying harmony first.
John

[Manfred M]

Yeah, it’s certainly no easy task, Alan, but you handled it masterfully. Your hook has already stuck in my head.

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

[Andy N]

I think we had two hooks there! Double credit! The bass set up an anticipation for the lean motif which was a great compliment to it. Adding the additional layers gave more context to both and you could hear the song building. Really cool

[Gary W]

Really nice Alan! For me, the hook was in the bass …. but I realise that’s in the ear of the beholder. Whatever – nice sound – like a happy version of a Radiohead tune!

Gary

[Raffaele S]

Nice bass line….to which he attached a really catchy hook

[Laurel C]

That has a catchy hook that makes pop song hits. You have tapped into something that feels familiar to the ears because of its foundation as a the song.

[Guido]

Very cool melodic idea over that pop chord progression, for sure very catchy and instantly memorable! It could be the beginning of a successful pop song. Very well done!

Guido

[Werner]

Loved the groove and the overall vibe of this piece. It feels relaxed, confident, and very musical.

Thank you, Werner

[Carpa]

Thanks for the beautiful song 👍

[JoLa]

Loved the groovy bass setting the tone, and then the fun little melody with a nice motif or hook! It all sounded like a hit song already 🤘

🎸JoLa

[Dieter]

Fine rocky playing.

Dieter

[Author]

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