April 25 Challenge – Manfred M – Shine On You Limitation Diamond

[Manfred M]

Hey my AM friends,

I had various ideas for this Limitations Challenge.
In the end I decided to improvise with only five fretted notes from the pentatonic plus the blue note.

After initially wanting to use one of Brian’s Blues backing tracks, I came across a “Floydish” backing track in B minor that somehow appealed to me.
It also fits the challenge theme quite well, as it only has 2 chords (Bm and E7).
I hope you like my improvisation attempt, it’s quite long by my standards, but hopefully not too boring.

As always I look forward to your comments and I am excited to see and hear what you have come up with, but I’m traveling this weekend to visit relatives. I’ll see how I can find time to watch and comment, but will definitely do so during the week.

Best wishes to you all!
Manfred

By the way, this is my 48th Challenge entry. That means four years of Challenge participation in a row without missing one. Also 4 years as a premium member of AM!
It’s been a little over 6 years since I decided to learn to play the guitar. And you, my dear AM friends and Brian as my mentor have accompanied me on the biggest part of this journey. And one thing is for sure, I have AM to thank for a large part of what I have learned in that time and you have all contributed to that and also to the fun I have doing it. Many thanks for that!

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup will be on May 31, 2025

For more information click here

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[Guido]

Shine on Manfred! Very nice improvisation on this floydian, dorian mode backing track! The limitation worked very well, and you was able to tell a story with your melody with just a handful of notes, which was the purpose of this challenge! Very nice clean tone from your guitar too. Excellent work, very enjoyable to listen to!

Guido

[Jennifer D]

Not boring at all Manfred I really like the atmosphere Bm and E7? I’ve made a mental note to try this because yours sounds really cool!

[MrO]

A very different version of “Manfred”. I liked it a lot 🙂

[Tremelow]

Dear Manfred, first of all, congratulations on your 48th consecutive contribution! That’s an achievement that commands my utmost respect. And on top of that, all truly fantastic contributions! Today’s is no exception. A really fitting title, because this is a real gem.

One could see that you were completely in the groove the whole time and simply played from the heart. In doing so, you got everything possible out of just 4 notes, fully utilizing all stylistic tools. Double-stops, bends, slides… everything the heart desires. Super!

Keep rockin!

Kevin

[Bill]

So much music from those notes! Great one Manfred. Your dedication to AM is really shining through here. Congrats on 4 years of challenges 🙂

[Mark T]

I found that very relaxing and an easy, calming listen, Manfred – nicely done and an excellent tone too 👍🎶😎

[Martin W]

Hi Manfred , congratulations on your four years of challenge participation.
You set some simple constraints in this one and it works a treat , you absolutely milked the improv with the blues scale , and it seems you got lost in the moment whilst playing which is a good thing and brings out the best .

Martin

[AndréM]

Awesome Manfred, very smooth performance.
Very nice bends, you were really feeling it.
Bravo.

AndréM

AndréM

[James B]

Cool groove, Manfred. You have exceeded our expectations with your limitations. 😀 Kept it interesting throughout.

James

[Paul S.]

I liked the way you kept the voicing of this very soft and controlled — very much in keeping with the backing track. You also picked one fundamental starting point — sort of a touchstone — then launched into some variations, only to return.
Nicely done.

And congrats on four years of challenges! (I think Brian should send you at least a second tee-shirt.)

[Alan L]

Beautiful tone and you really got a lot of miles out of that limit! And congrats on 4 years!

[Richard G]

It’s always amazing how one can create an inspiring groove exactly as you’ve just done Manfred, with so very few notes. Superb posting.

Richard

[Mike W]

Lovely submission Manfred – that was so cool – a wonderful piece of music played to perfection with a great tone. I think that’s my favourite of all 48 of your challenge submissions – you produced so much from so little. Congratulations on your 4 years of submissions and thanks for the effort you put into arranging the zoom meetings.

[Michael L]

Nice Manfred. This one has that Floyd hypnotic vibe to it. Nice and mellow, and very enjoyable. Interesting how we start to find more and more in the limit we set.

[Werner]

Hello Manfred, that´s a good one and not boring at all. Very melodic and serene tune. Love it.

Viele Grüße in den Pfälzer Wald – bis bald mal

Thank you Werner

[sunjamr]

Nice one, Manfred, you nailed the goal of this challenge perfectly. I wonder if you could have jumped up an octave about halfway through and kept the same motif. Or would that be cheating?

Sunjamr Steve

[Laurel C]

In the zone, Manfred and playing from the soul. I didn’t notice the time length as I loss sense of the time, you took us on the journey with you… a smooth ride. Very applicable as this being 4 years of challenges and 48th in a row milestone, a perfect report card. You get a gold star ⭐️ .

[John H]

Manfred,
I always enjoy your performance! This a sultry, moody and subtle solo with some tasty chops. You are saying a lot in a small space. You pull some cool tones out from the Tele!

JH

[Serena C]

Congratulation on your 4th AM and challenge anniversary Manfred! You’ve become such a good player in such a short time! This submission is very soulful and with a very nice tone, well done!

If I wasn't making mistakes I wouldn't be the kind of player I want to be. Perfection is dangerous.
It's all about taking risks, sometimes you get to some place, sometimes you get to a different place. (Brian May)

[Andy N]

You found plenty to inspire you in those two chords and just 6 notes and brought plenty of pleasure the ears of us listeners too.
You took us on a journey as it felt like I was floating down a river relaxing and enjoying everything I could see. Great playing 👌

[JoLa]

You got me at “floyd-ish”, Manfred, and you definitely did not disappoint!

Not one bit of it was boring, I think it was a great choice for the limitation challenge and in order to expand your musicality. The tele tone was super chill and dreamy, it sounded very soothing to my ears. Well done and congrats on your 48th! So great to have you here, Manfred!

🎸JoLa

[KT]

Enjoyed your presentation.
Mellow and relaxing rendition
You definitely meet the challenges

[Ralph P.]

Very smooth and relaxing vibe Manfred…with such a sweet and mellow tone. Very pleasant to my ears, and very musical. Well done.

Ralph

Ralph P.

[Mike D]

Proof that’s all you need … nicely played

Live on planet Earth ? You got the blues.

[JoeD1]

I became totally mesmerized by your playing Manfred! I think it was too short if anything! You looked so into it!

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

[Dieter]

Very soulful playing.

Dieter

[Alan O]

Hi Manfred, this was a really smooth and relaxing with lots of feel. I enjoyed listening to it! Congrats on 4 years of challenges! That is awesome.

Alan

[Author]

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