August 2026 Challenge Response – EP641, Jonathan Amos

[Jonathan Amos]

Once again the monthly challenge has been my main motivation to play guitar every day – I can’t recommend it enough to improve one’s playing.

This was a struggle to play from memory, a struggle to play without any mistakes, a struggle to play at speed and a struggle to record. It’s really a collection of licks rather than a melody which made it difficult to memorise and not as enjoyable as playing a melody but I thought all those licks were individually so useful that I had to persevere.

I did finally memorise the piece but otherwise the struggles are clearly on show. This is only at 80% of Brian’s frantic speed but still sounds good, I think. I had to skip two notes in the third bar which I found impossible to play, I needed space to get my fingers into position. And my ear wanted something slightly different in bar 9 so I changed it a bit. It was also a struggle to stay in time in places, e.g. the jump in finger position in bar 17.

No one else has uploaded this EP yet but I think it’s a good opportunity to learn some great licks.

Jonathan Amos, Matsuyama, Japan

[sciencefiction]

Great playing, Jon! Sounds like you played it perfectly to me, although at slower tempo than Brian’s. Has more of a sneakin’ around, cool feel to me, and works well because you are so in the pocket hitting the notes really cleanly. Excellent.
Larry

[Michael Krailo]

Whatever you struggled with must have been during practice, that looked mighty fine to me.

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

[Alan L]

Nice work, very groovy. That one’s on my wishlist, and you’ve inspired me to crack it open next.

[charjo]

Well played, Jonathan, also sounds cool at this tempo. Clean and fluid..
John

• This reply was modified 1 day, 4 hours ago by charjo.

[JoeD1]

I think it sounded very good Jonathan. Tempo is subjective and this was a very nice tempo. I like how you ended it on that bend.

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

[James B]

Well played, Jonathan. Great timing and phrasing throughout this challenging piece.

James

[AndréM]

Very nice and steady.
Except for the speed, I didn’t hear any struggles.

AndréM

AndréM

[Bill]

That’s cool Jonathan, a few more reps and I think you’ll have this locked in!

That’s a great strat too, I’m a sucker for a mint guard. 🙂

[Michael L]

Yes, some nice licks in this one. Well played Jonathan!

[Don Patton jr]

Hi Jonathan,
Some fine licks to put to memory for use when improvising..
Very cool phrasing and vibe 🎶😎

Don P

[Catherine Arsenault]

Nice and clean great playing!

[Laurel C]

Appreciate this ep more now that I have heard you play it at a slower speed. Sounded great, well played.

[sunjamr]

Nicely played, Jonathan. Can you play it identically twice in a row? I don’t think I could.

And I also find that the monthly challenges are the main thing that keeps me motivated to practice and create my own original music.

Sunjamr Steve

[Pap]

Jon, this sounds really well played. I think you nailed it. Nice work. Pap

[Martin W]

Sounds great at this tempo, more of a laid back feel, and those difficult areas you overcome them and made it your own , sometimes I think these lessons are a template to do exactly that .

Martin

[Mark T]

I thought there was some impressive picking there, Jonathan – clean, precise and no struggles evident, to my ear at least 👍🎶😎

[wannaplayblues]

Loved that – sounded great and had a fantastic groove!

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

[Author]

Posts