August 2025 Challenge Response – Serena C.

[Serena C]

Hi AM friends!
I’m so happy to be back at the challenges after a two month break (I broke a wrist in June, then I’ve been away for several weeks for work between July and August).
The lead part of this submission is an absolute first take without any previous rehearsal, I played in the key of G, both minor and major pentatonics, plus harmonized 3rd and 6th, G6-G9 slides, etc… you’ll see I’ve used Brian’s latest EPs and MLs.
Actually the biggest work for this challenge was recording the two-chord backing track (G-F) with my looper pedal. It took some time and I wasn’t able to record a video of the making but I spelled the three components at the beginning of the video.
Enjoy the challenge weekend!
Serena

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)

[Michael L]

Hi Serena, great to have you back!
You’re sounding good here. Strong groove in your backing track with a nice feel, and your lead is spacious with room to appreciate and digest it. Really well put together!

[JoeD1]

Nicely done Serena. It had a sort of low down vibe to it which was very nice indeed.

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

[Jennifer D]

Good solid rhythm on your backing track and wonderful lead, sounds marvellous!

[Bill]

I like the groove you set up with your backing track and the nice flowing lead. Welcome back and nicely done!

[James W]

Cool backing track and nice moody lead! Sounds great.

[Richard G]

A creative and percussive backing track Serena, those sweet sounding double-stops made this a very enjoyable performance to watch.

Richard

[AndréM]

Nice playing.
Great composition.

AndréM

AndréM

[Alan L]

That looper part is awesome. Great work on the lead too, I especially like the blended pentatonic bits. Well done and welcome back! 🙂

[Scott M]

Looper pedals are so much fun to work with, I haven’t used mine in quite awhile, you’ve inspired me to revisit it. Great first take improv lead!
Really well put together Serena!!

Scott

[Manfred M]

Good to have you back at the challenges, Serena.
And I really enjoyed your contribution. Your looper work is so good, and your lead playing is the icing on the cake. It radiates so much good vibes.

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]

Great groove, Serena. I had to tap my foot during the whole performance. Very well, done. I am glad to see that your wrist appears to have healed well. Great to have you back in the challenges! 👍🏽

Bluesige Grüße
Juxi

[James B]

Nice job with the looper, Serena. You laid down a cool track to solo over. You are right in the pocket with your licks. Got to hear you’re healed up and playing again.

James

[Dieter]

Really great playing and sound.

Dieter

[Paul S.]

Glad to see you back and highly inventive! (Broken wrist, ACK! That’s worse than thumb arthritis.)
The dead-string percussion was a clever way to put this in motion. Then the double stops got the melody going. They were my favorite part.

[sunjamr]

That worked out perfectly, Serena! And welcome back. Plenty of nice licks and good phrasing in your composition. I loved it! As for loopers, I like the Boss pedals, because they auto-sync to the rhythm. Plus you just step on it to start and stop it. They also include a bunch of different drum beat options.

Sunjamr Steve

[JoLa]

Nice looper work and improvisation, Serena!
I like how you demonstrated the backing track chords at the beginning and almost forgot the last two but still made it in time, haha! Quite a nice combo of the two chords, the melody was somewhat relaxing in an upbeat kinda way. Love the bluesy slides and the short tasteful phrasing. really good improv!

🎸JoLa

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