April 2026 Challenge Response – Jonathan Amos, Get Hooked

[Jonathan Amos]

I thought this was an excellent challenge and I enjoyed the discussion on what a hook actually is. It can be just one or two notes (e.g. Smells Like Teen Spirit) or several but I suppose there’s a point when a long hook becomes a short melody. I think there can be many hooks in a song but I assume what we are focusing on here is an opening hook to a song so here’s mine.

Jonathan Amos, Matsuyama, Japan

[Michael Krailo]

Very good, and this will make an excellent intro to a song. Has a moody blues sort of vibe to it.

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

[Pap]

Love it…great timing too. Pap

[Mark T]

What a great hook you came up with, Jonathan – instantly recognisable, and something that could easily be returned to later in a song. – Mark 👍🎶😎

[JoeD1]

That sounded light but mysterious. You played it extremely well keeping in good timing too.

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]

Good vibes on this one. Great clean picking. Nice job Jonathan.

[sciencefiction]

Awesome hook, Jon! This is definitely a hook: repetitive, sounds great, and stays in your mind. Fantastic!
Larry

[Gary W]

That’s definitely hooky! Well played & well put together.

Gary

[AndréM]

Cool hook Jonathan.
Would be a nice opening for a longer song.

AndréM

AndréM

[Alan L]

Super catchy, love it! That higher counterpoint that adds in later is a nice touch too.

[Tremelow]

This is a really good one, Jonathan. And I agree, this cgallenge was great. For a number of reasons.

[Manfred M]

That really sticks in your head right away and doesn’t let go, Jonathan. Just like a good hook should. Great work and some fine playing.

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

[Raffaele S]

I really liked Jonathan, simple but really direct and catchy, and played very well

[sunjamr]

Sure sounds like a hook to me. Nicely picked, Jonathan!

Sunjamr Steve

[Richard G]

What a great Hook Jonathan, it sounded punchy, dynamic and memorable, which was exactly the point.

Richard

[charjo]

Really great, Jonathan. Lovely layering of sound. You’re on a roll, if I recall I loved what you did last month, also.
John

[Werner]

Great job on this one. The melody flows beautifully and your timing gives it a really solid feel. Thank you,

Werner

[Carpa]

Played very smoothly and with feeling, beautiful entry 👌

[Andy N]

Ow that’s a hook and a wonderful intro for a song. Catches your interest straight away with its melody and rhythmic “bounce’. By the end we’re all waiting for the main song to start. What could be better than that 😎👍

[Author]

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