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August 2026 Challenge Response – Mike W

Home › Forums › Active Melody Member Challenge Response Submissions › August 2026 Challenge Response – Mike W

  • This topic has 22 replies, 12 voices, and was last updated 35 minutes ago by Mike W.
Viewing 11 reply threads
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    • September 19, 2026 at 10:02 am #422830
      Mike W
      Participant

        Good day to you all,

        This challenge was to produce a video demonstrating a technique or passage of music that we found difficult to master. In my case that’s quite a long list to choose from.

        Until about 2 years ago I was submitting videos to another forum, and at the beginning of July I started looking at some of these older pieces (most of them covers) with a view to re-recording them and maybe putting them on the ‘Showcase’ section of our Forum.

        One of those that I looked at was Jigsaw Puzzle Blues, which was the B-side to Fleetwood Mac’s Albatross, all those years ago. This is a brilliant piece that I find really interesting – I can still remember the first time I heard it (at the age of 16 or 17) and thinking that I’d never be able to play that. (When I started practising it I had the same thought – it’s still not perfect, although my bends are better than they were in June 2022). Unusually, it was written, and the lead played by, the late Danny Kirwan. It’s in 4 sections with 1 and 4 being similar and 2 and 3 being similar, also each section is in a different key (this isn’t too much of a problem when using Tab).

        More recently I found out that Joe Venuti recorded a piece with the same title (I think in the 1930s) with a band featuring Eddy Lang, although there is little similarity with the FM version – just one or two phrases.

        The reason for me choosing this piece is that it features many, many bends, with some of them (in Sections 1 and 4) with vibrato. Some of the bends alter from half to full while being played and then have vibrato added. So, my problem area is bending generally, but also preventing the sound of unwanted strings. I’m glad that Brian pointed out that by definition there won’t be many submissions that will be perfect! The backing track (which I have slowed down slightly) is provided by Adrian Woodward, a British guitar teacher.

        I hope you like it.

        I’m looking forward to seeing the other submissions.

        Here’s the link

      • September 19, 2026 at 10:10 am #422831
        Michael Krailo
        Participant

          That’s pretty good Mike. Much to be proud of in this cover.

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

          • September 20, 2026 at 3:37 pm #423113
            Mike W
            Participant

              Many thanks Michael, I’m glad you liked it.

          • September 19, 2026 at 11:02 am #422840
            JoeD1
            Participant

              I have problems with bends too but you pulled this off quite well Mike.

              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

              • September 20, 2026 at 3:39 pm #423114
                Mike W
                Participant

                  Many thanks Joe. I read some while ago that the only thing that Eric Clapton practises these days is bends, so we’re all in good company.

              • September 19, 2026 at 1:45 pm #422868
                AndréM
                Participant

                  Excellent Mike.
                  Your bends sounded very good.
                  Nice song.

                  AndréM

                  AndréM

                  • September 20, 2026 at 3:40 pm #423115
                    Mike W
                    Participant

                      Many thanks Andre, I’m glad you liked it.

                  • September 19, 2026 at 2:24 pm #422881
                    Dieter
                    Participant

                      Sounds really good.

                      Dieter

                      • September 20, 2026 at 3:41 pm #423116
                        Mike W
                        Participant

                          Many thanks Dieter.

                      • September 19, 2026 at 3:33 pm #422895
                        James B
                        Participant

                          Great job covering this song, Mike. Being able to play something you loved as a teenager makes one feel young again. 🎶 🎸 😀

                          James

                          • September 20, 2026 at 3:43 pm #423117
                            Mike W
                            Participant

                              Many thanks James, I’m glad you liked it. It really is a great piece to play although I confess I became exasperated with it many times.

                          • September 19, 2026 at 10:15 pm #422918
                            sciencefiction
                            Participant

                              That’s a peppy little song, Mike. Sounds great! I like all your bending in this, which seems to fit the song perfectly. Also, that last sustained bend with vibrato you ended the piece with was superb!!
                              Larry

                              • September 20, 2026 at 3:45 pm #423118
                                Mike W
                                Participant

                                  Many thanks for your kind words Larry, I’m glad you liked it.

                              • September 20, 2026 at 5:49 am #422961
                                Alan L
                                Participant

                                  Fantastic Mike! Always nice to look back at our older work and see how we’ve improved 🙂

                                  • September 20, 2026 at 3:48 pm #423119
                                    Mike W
                                    Participant

                                      Many thanks Alan. I’m not convinced that this recording is any better than my previous one, but fortunately I don’t think it’s any worse, either.

                                  • September 20, 2026 at 8:14 am #423010
                                    Wayne Nunez
                                    Participant

                                      Nice blues playing friend!

                                      • September 20, 2026 at 3:48 pm #423120
                                        Mike W
                                        Participant

                                          Many thanks Wayne.

                                      • September 20, 2026 at 9:50 am #423037
                                        Lights
                                        Participant

                                          Absolutely correct playing, Mike! Nice piece.
                                          Lights

                                          • September 20, 2026 at 3:49 pm #423122
                                            Mike W
                                            Participant

                                              Thanks Meelis, I’m glad you liked it.

                                          • September 20, 2026 at 10:54 am #423073
                                            David H
                                            Participant

                                              Mike – I too was smitten in the exact same way as you when I first heard this song. And I spent many months trying to learn it. That was years ago, have forgotten it but just might have to dust if off. Glad you share your experience and nice job playing it. Bends? You are 90% of the way there. That is huge.

                                              • September 20, 2026 at 3:51 pm #423123
                                                Mike W
                                                Participant

                                                  Many thanks David, I’m glad you liked it. So far you’re the only one that seems to know it, to my surprise.

                                              • September 20, 2026 at 1:00 pm #423091
                                                Don Patton jr
                                                Participant

                                                  Hi Mike,
                                                  Really nice playing!
                                                  Great bends and vibrato to my ear . I like this cover a lot …played well !👍🎶

                                                  Don P

                                                  • September 20, 2026 at 3:52 pm #423124
                                                    Mike W
                                                    Participant

                                                      Many thanks Don, I’m glad you liked it.

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