Challenge Response, February 2026, Alan L

[Alan L]

EP 621. This came with a backing track, but I decided to play it solo. Written melody, plus a verse of improv. Thanks for listening!

[Dieter]

Very nice playing.

Dieter

[Michael L]

Hi Alan, loved your solo take on this. No backing track required. You told the story perfectly with just your bluesy picking. Really well done!

[JoeD1]

I have trouble playing without a backing track but you pulled it off quite nicely Alan.

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

[Brendan G]

What a great job. You made that totally your own.

Thanks for sharing. Mo

[Michael Krailo]

Way to go with the solo blues, hoodie and all. This rocked.

Go slow and practice correct technique, and your abilities will dramatically improve.

[AndréM]

Very nice played by yourself improv.
Well done.

AndréM

AndréM

[sunjamr]

Nice one, Alan. It’s hard to make a standalone electric guitar solo sound interesting, but you did a great job of it.

Sunjamr Steve

[Guido]

Very original choice, playing standalone guitar for pieces like this one is never easy, but you did a great job: your guitar sings the blues without the need of a BT and your timing was perfect! Excellent rendition!

Guido

[Denise]

I remember this lesson which is such a nice slow Blues.
Your improved went very well with the first cycle.
Well done.

More Blues!

[Carpa]

Staying in time so well without accompaniment, amazing 👍

[Mark T]

That was some lovely, chilled out, playing, Alan – nicely done 👍🎶😎

[sciencefiction]

Very cool, Alan! You blasted through this like nothing at all. Nailed the basic lesson, and your improv in Pattern 4 was equally cool and fit perfectly.

Inspired me on this, man! In need to learn how to make up stuff like this, both Brian’s part and yours as well.

Thanks for posting,

Larry

[Pap]

Alan, I like this submission…just you and your axe telling a story. Nice lines. Cheers. Pap

[James B]

Nice job taking this one solo, Alan. You’ve got a good internal timer with rhythm.

James

[Manfred M]

In my opinion, it was a good decision to play this without a backing track, Alan. It really makes the notes shine even more.
And you came up with a really beautiful and fitting addition to this great lesson.

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup will be on February 28, 2026

For more information click here

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[JoLa]

Great blues playing, Alan. You stayed in the pocket so well, no jam track was needed.

🎸JoLa

[Bill]

Nice Alan, this worked really well standalone under your adept fingers. You really outlined the changes!

[John H]

Alan
I like it… the fact that you did this stand alone is admirable. It’s gutsy with no place to hide.
It’s clean and precise. I think you mastered this confidence and soulful execcution. Well done.

John

[Laurel C]

It’s a creative decision to play without the backing track. The focus becomes on the guitar as a standalone composition. Well thought out navigating the fretboard. Good work.

[Jonathan Amos]

It certainly works without the backing track, makes it sound more intimate. Your added verse fits in well too. Nicely played.

Jonathan Amos, Matsuyama, Japan

[Serena C]

You made it very enjoyable as a standalone piece Alan, well done!

If I wasn't making mistakes I wouldn't be the kind of player I want to be. Perfection is dangerous.
It's all about taking risks, sometimes you get to some place, sometimes you get to a different place. (Brian May)

[Martin W]

Hi Alan , that’s a good timing workout going without the backing track, you played it right in the pocket.
Both the lesson and your own improv go hand in hand .

Martin

[charjo]

Nice, Alan. I like how you highlighted the changes in your added verse.
John

[Mike W]

That’s not a decision that many of us would make. Great playing, with perfect timing and tone. Your own verse complemented the original perfectly.

[snakechisler]

Worked pretty well as a solo piece especially in the middle section
Well thanks for sharing

[David H]

Clean steady picking, you done good!

[Author]

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