August 2026 Challenge Response – David H

[David H]

EP636 is a lesson that I have been working on since the beginning of July. You name it and I struggled with it. Bends was number one, closely followed by correct and quality of notes and speed. Just for grins I posted the first Utube based on a recording 2 weeks ago so you can see all the “Opportunities”. The second Utube is a recording I did today. Better but certainly room for improvement, as usual. Thanks for listening.

[AndréM]

Second one was best for me.
Well done.

AndréM

AndréM

[Michael Krailo]

Well done pushing the limits David. I haven’t even tried this one yet. There is always someone making it look easy when we all know it isn’t.

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

[sciencefiction]

Nice going, David.
I see significant improvement between first and second videos so I would definitely keep at it. Way to take this tough one on! I don’t know what gauge strings you are using, but I switched to 8 gauge strings from previously using 9s and 10s, and this has definitely made me have to work less for bending effects.
Larry

[Dieter]

Very nice playing with clearly audible progress.

Dieter

[wannaplayblues]

You can hear the improvement for sure!

Have you tried bending strings with your thumb over the neck? It acts as a good grounding point and gives leverage to twisting the wrist for bending. That’s how I do string bending.

"I hear you talkin' son, but you 'aint sayin' nothin'" - Will McFarlane quoting Muddy Waters hearing a really fast guitar player

[JoeD1]

Yeah, bends are tricky, but the improvements in the 2nd video show your efforts are paying off.

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

[charjo]

Nice improvements, Dave. Great advice from wannaplayblues. I had a bit of a classical background so I used to think these blues players like Clapton had really sloppy technique. That thumb over neck, fingers relatively flat to the fretboard is really the technique for this style to allow for supported bends and the muting required on electric guitar, especially when playing with a lot of gain.
John

[James B]

This one’s coming along nicely, David. That’s a cool tune.

James

[sunjamr]

I think your bends sounded fine, David. What I heard more was timing lags, like, the age-old problem of being unable to keep up with the tempo of the jamtrack. I reckon if you keep working on it, your tempo will soon be 100% good. That was a great example of a struggle in progress. But if you walked out on stage and played that, almost no one would even notice any kind of struggle happening.

Sunjamr Steve

[Laurel C]

That is a great boppy little tune. So much to like about it, that any mishap was only minor. Overall it was enjoyable to listen to.

[Alan L]

Definitely improving! Besides the technical elements, the second sounds more relaxed and musical.

[Wayne Nunez]

Nice bluesy bends,well played!

[Lights]

Of course the second one, but nice playing anyway on both of them.
Lights.

[Mike W]

Great submission David. I think that piece is deceptively fast but you cracked it – it sounded spot on.

[Manfred M]

Yeah, definitely, Dave—there’s a clear improvement in the newer video. It’s obvious: if you keep at it, you’ll get where you want to go. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you!

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom.
The next Meetup will take place in October/November

There will be a detailed announcement here in the forum a few weeks before.

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

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