August 2026 Challenge – Charjo

[charjo]

Happy challenge weekend,

This is only hard in the sense that it is a is the result of some new concepts for me and the result of what I’m working on lately.
I am trying to create a cohesive, memorable solo. This requires some call and response phrases. A good solo requires some rhythmic variation. I used quarter notes, quarter note triplets, eighth notes and eighth note triplets. Another aspect is an awareness of which beat or off-beat the phrases begin on. Repetition within a longer phrase is a great technique. An important part is a short memorable phrase that is repeated, maybe repeated in a higher octave and even further developed. Another idea for a memorable solo is to bookend that phrase at the start and end of the solo and try to build some sort of climax.
Hope I was somewhat successful.
P.S. Another thing you hear a lot of in this solo is the major 2nd or 9th. It’s a great way to get a little ouside the pentatonic sound, sort of like adding the 4th in the major pentatonic.

John

• This topic was modified 11 hours, 18 minutes ago by charjo.
• This topic was modified 10 hours, 45 minutes ago by charjo.

[Michael Krailo]

You sir just inspired me to do my own version of this. It’s going to be my weekend project if I can obtain that watchtower backing track. Great job with the solo.

Root note patterns >>> CAGED shapes >>> TRIAD'S. Just put in the work and watch your guitar skills soar.

[charjo]

Tried to attach it but the file is too big even converted to mp3. If you PM me an email I’ll send the mp3.
John

[Michael Krailo]

Will do.

Root note patterns >>> CAGED shapes >>> TRIAD'S. Just put in the work and watch your guitar skills soar.

[Don Patton jr]

Hi John,
Your solo sounds clean and articulate to my ear !
I would say mission accomplished…great sound 🎶🎵

Don P

[JoeD1]

It’s always a pleasure to hear you play John. This sounded super cool to me!

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]

Wow, that’s a really well-structured and varied solo—it’s already top-notch.

Dieter

[AndréM]

OK Jimi, where is the struggle.
Man you made my brain turning with the explanation.
I think the new thing your doing is paying off.
Your the best.

AndréM

AndréM

[Alan L]

Awesome phasing and delivery. I noticed a few moments you really hung onto the suspension/non-chord tone- really ear catching and well played!

[James B]

Love your well structured solo, John. Every note rings true and when you bend the notes up to pitch, it’s pitch perfect. Great ear, technique and skill to play this way.

James

[Catherine Arsenault]

That was truly awesome !!!!!😎

[Michael L]

Wow! Really nice John! I’m struck by your dynamics and vibrato. Top level! This would stand strong next to what any famous musician could do.

I’ve realized that in a lot of music a guitar solo is 8 bars, maybe 16 bars, then the song moves on to another instrument or vocal. Here at AM we work with tracks that have us playing over full “songs” with instrumental guitar. That’s much harder to keep it interesting for that length. Probably more common in blues/jazz worlds, but not pop.

[charjo]

Agreed, Mike. I think the structure of a solo will be quite different for 8 bars, vs 16 or even 32.
John

[sciencefiction]

Great playing, John. Sounds awesome! No struggle here!!
Larry

[Michael Krailo]

John, I sent you my email in a PM.

Root note patterns >>> CAGED shapes >>> TRIAD'S. Just put in the work and watch your guitar skills soar.

[charjo]

Should be in your inbox, Mike.

[Michael Krailo]

charjo wrote:

Should be in your inbox, Mike.

Yea, it most certainly is (was in the spam folder). I’ll see what I can come up with. I keep your formulas in mind.

Root note patterns >>> CAGED shapes >>> TRIAD'S. Just put in the work and watch your guitar skills soar.

• This reply was modified 2 hours, 11 minutes ago by Michael Krailo.

[Ben C]

This was perfect. Nicely done

[Author]

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