December 2023 Challenge Response – AndyN

[Andy N]

I think it was the UK’s SAS who said that people under pressure rarely “rise to the occasion” but instead, “sink to the highest level of their training” 🫣. That would be me! So this “Play something” challenge has served as a wake up call, after years of prevarication, to finally prepare a small set of songs I could play on demand. That’s a target for 2024 👍

In the meantime, I’ve dug out EP134, a blast from the past which needed (and still does) a fair bit of dusting off!

Happy New Year everyone!

For those interested in the tone. It was recorded using a Universal Studio’s “Ruby” (Their emulation of a VOX top boost amp from the 60s) set to the Vibrato circuit with a bit of plate reverb added.

[” Slappy”]

I gotta practice my finger picking…. great job!

[Mike W]

Sounded totally undusty to me Andy. Very nicely done.

[Jennifer D]

Fabulous!

[Alan L]

That was excellent! I love the finger picking style and you executed it nicely.

I agree with the “sink to the highest level of training” bit, that is exactly my experience playing (other instruments) on stage. Definitely a wake up call to get a set in order!

[Andre H]

Great sound on the guitar! And love your quote that people under pressure rarely “rise to the occasion” but instead, “sink to the highest level of their training” m. I’m going to use that one.

[Richard G]

Beautifully played Andy, I agree it’s important to put at least 5 songs/instrumentals together to be played at the drop of a hat, and it also needs some discipline. Loved the tone you achieved …….

Richard

[Lights]

Yeah, great lesson, Andy! Fine playing and the sound of your guitar is excellent.
Lights.

[Vincent K]

Awesome Andy

I loved the sound- very beautiful

Well played

Happy new year
Vincent

🎸 Vincent 🎶 🇳🇱

[Michael L]

Sounding pretty nice Andy. That’s a great lesson, and you played it well. Very enjoyable!

[Garry]

Hey Andy! I’m sure there would be plenty of applause if/when you perform this. Very well played! Re: Having a Set pocketed away! It’s a great idea but it always takes time to maintain! My brother has asked me to perform at his car and bike club next month so I’m doing all that right now! Pressure is rising!!! All the best! 😎🎸😎

[AndréM]

Awesome, great tone.
Very well played.
Well done.

AndréM

AndréM

[Paul S.]

I’d say you rose to this occasion. Nice jazzy finger picking, double stops and cool old-style tremolo tone on the guitar.
And you are right about being prepared for impromptu performing. Few of us are.

[James B]

Played very well with a lovely chiming tone. Great choice, Andy.

James

[Anonymous]

Very nice. Great tone and playing

[JoLa]

That was lovely, Andy! Your video was like a perfect Christmas postcard, very pleasing both musically and visually – and the lesson you dusted off sounded really nice. I always love the fingerstyle approach, it has that warm feel to it. After listening to your playing, I feel like I should check it now too 🙂

I have the same goal for 2024 🙂

🎸JoLa

[John H]

Andy
Nicely done. Love the picking melody, your tone and flawless execution.

John

[Pap]

Andy, your training must have been pretty good :). Happy New Year. Cheers Pap

[Denise]

Wonderful dust off…no understatement please, dear Andy😄.I love that nice jazzy blues tune😇. Sounding great with the tremolo effect (I love the tremolo, my favorite pedal😄). You played very smoothly with some tasty finger “slap” notes. Yes and the style goes so well with that wonderful Christmas tree behind you.
Great goal for 2024!
Denise

More Blues!

[Liam Innes]

Hey Andy,

Beautifully executed finger style I enjoyed the heck out of that.

That Gretsch is stunning and I’m glad you mentioned the tone settings.

Bring on the goal setting I’m sure you’ll have a bag of songs learned in no time at all.

Liam.

“We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams. “

[Martin W]

Hi Andy , I think you’ve dusted that one off successfully, the tone you’ve achieved fits the piece perfectly .
Yep good idea to have a handful of tunes at the ready ( something I also don’t have ) so something to work on !

Martin

[Tom D]

Hi Andy, your jazzy blues is absolutely beautiful. The tone and feel of your fingerstyle are outstanding as you perform in like a professional player sitting down for filming of your Christmas TV Special. And while the prompts may vary, it great that we’re all interested to develop set list(s) to serve our 2024 performance opportunities. I’m happy to join you in that pursuit and thank you for highlighting this great song. Cheers, Tom

[Mark T]

That sounded so professional, Andy – perfectly played and the perfect axe and tone to play it on 👍🎶😎

[Bob Utberg]

Love it Andy – some of your finest right here! Love the slight tremelo and echo going on! Played like a pro for sure.

Bob U. (aka Bobby Ut)

[Reuben B]

Great rendition of that lesson Andy, perfectly and smoothly executed. I really like the tone also. It sounds great!

[Manfred M]

Great target for 2024, Andy. I‘m working on that too.
Your blast from the past was even a blast for me. Your dust-off have worked perfectly. You let this piece shine in a very smooth way. A feast for the ears.

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup is expected to take place in November 2025

There will be a detailed announcement here in the forum in good time.

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[Laurel C]

Flawless playing Andy and well and truly dusted off for a cosy rendition of this ep. The touch in your playing is so smooth. Agree with your sentiments and goals. Maintenance of a selected few, and several visits to a guitar store to try out guitars can help.

[Andy N]

Many thanks Laurel, and I totally agree. Visits to a guitar store (or stores) is going to be a vital part of achieving my 2024 goals 🎸😀

[Don Patton jr]

Really nice and smooth mellow vibe Andy !
Love the tone on your hollow body guitar and amp setup! Great rendition 👍🎶🙂

Don P

[JoeD1]

You dusted that off so much I was blinded by your excellent playing!

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

[David H]

Oh my, that was beautiful. What a great number to pull out of your bag of songs. They will beg for more after this.

[Don D.]

Great playing, great sound, real tasty!

Don D.

[Guido]

Great rendition, Andy, it sounded beautiful on your Gretsch, with a dreamy tone perfect for this piece! Flawlessly finger picked and very enjoyable to listen to. For sure you practiced this one a lot, and you didn’t need to dust off too much to make it shine again!

Guido

[Author]

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