August 2026 Challenge Response – JoLa

[JoLa]

My biggest struggle is simply not enough practice time!
The whole month has gone by and I only had hours available for play and practice, not days….
Just managed to record something last night and it’s as rough as it gets. EP617 is a good example of what I struggle with the most; flat picking, alternate picking, fast arpeggios, fast anything, muting, timing, dynamics … nothing about that lesson was easy for me at the beginning. Surprisingly, a few rounds of practice helped quite a bit, just like Brian stated in the lesson 🙂

Looking forward to viewing everyone else’s struggles this weekend 😉

🎸JoLa

[wannaplayblues]

Honestly – your videos are amazing! Complete compositions that sound incredible!

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

[Dieter]

Not having much time to practice is, of course, a big problem. But you shouldn’t be too hard on yourself—your recording is just great.

Dieter

[Michael Krailo]

You went with the dark and spacey. If you play that well without much practice, imagine what you can do if you put more time in. Scary to even think it.

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

[JoeD1]

JoLa, that was superb! It sounded like a track from Pink Floyd’s The Wall.

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

[Don Patton jr]

Hi Jola,
Your composition sounded good to my ear ! Kind of a dark minor sound, with interesting phrasing. Your flat picking was on time and tempo from what I could hear …very nice 👍🙂

Don P

[charjo]

Really good for the amount of time you’ve had to work on this. I thought your fast arpeggio moves were pretty strong. This piece really does challenge on so many fronts and has a beautiful ambience. If I ever find enough hours in a day(and I’m retired😊), I’d like to tackle this one.
John

• This reply was modified 1 day, 8 hours ago by charjo.

[AndréM]

Awesome JoLa.
That EP617 is so haunting.
I should of ask you to play the acoustic with me when I did it a few months back.
Love your videos they are always something special.

AndréM

AndréM

[sciencefiction]

I could detect not one struggle. Sounds awesome, Jola!!
Larry

[James B]

Great production, JoLa. So many little subtle details in this piece which you mastered with little time to practice. Really fine recording too.

James

[Alan L]

Sounding good! I like the little melodic runs

[Tremelow]

Very nice Jola. I hear you on your struggles. Nothing of them to see in this video. Quite the contrary. You even managed to play standing, which I find difficult, too.

[Wayne Nunez]

That was very well done,great job!

[Catherine Arsenault]

Jola that was beautifully played very haunting… I have struggled so much using a pick or hybrid picking I’ve always used my fingers for everything I should try practicing that. I really enjoy your submissions very heart felt playing !!!😊🥰

[Lights]

Wonderful! Amazing! Nice to see you still in line, Jolanta. Great picking and cool lesson as well.
Lights.

[Alan O]

Hi Jola, that was really great sounding and one would never know you were struggling with it. I hear you regarding the practice time! I get up and do it in the mornings now. First, because I’m getting older and am too tired in the evening and second because nothing gets in my way at the crack of dawn and steals my time.

Alan

[Mike W]

Great rendition Jola – you seemed to nail the piece perfectly. It presents a very dark atmosphere but still sounds very melodic. Did Brian get an appearance fee?

[John H]

JoLa
You present like a rock star! You sound like one too! Great lesson; you cover it well. Uh, the intensity of your face is priceless! I am really enjoying this, typing-as I listen, going back to watch so I don’t miss anything. Again, you never fail to impress. Something else, I am rediscovering the warmth and resonance of the Martin Mahogany guitars. Is that a Street Master or a OOO-15 M? Sounds wonderful. Rock on!

John

[Author]

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