December 2025 Active Melody challenge response — Paul S/

[Paul S.]

This final challenge of the year was a reminder that perseverance can be as painful as it is necessary.

Over a period of two weeks I played through this beautiful Quist backing track two dozen times, completing it without mistakes exactly zero times … until yesterday…. when, after putting away my guitar and getting ready to edit, I realized on that take I had forgotten to turn on the camera.

So this version is a less-than-perfect effort completed at the 11th hour — a time when “good enough” is going to have to suffice. I hope your 2026 (and mine) goes more smoothly.

[sciencefiction]

No worries, Paul. In this case “good enough” was great. This sounded awesome to me. Great playing.
Larry

[James B]

You recovered very nicely, Paul. I can relate to forgetting to push the record button. A “good enough” take for my ears though. Enjoyed it.

James

[AndréM]

Paul that was smooth.
Excellent playing.
This is one of my favorite BT by Quist.

AndréM

AndréM

[Richard G]

It’s so frustrating when the best take is not recorded, I’ve done that a few times. But your finished version was so enjoyable. Two things struck me, your guitar tone was just cool and your timing was impressive, which is not easy with a slow tempo. Great submission Paul.

Richard

[Matthew S]

Amazing playing Paul. Great tone, feel, and improvising. Your “good enough” is something I’d like to get to one day! Great job.

[Bill]

Oh man, I hate when that happens! And even after all these challenges, I’ll play something perfect in “rehearsal” and as soon as the camera is rolling I flub it.
That said, you’ve put together a swell performance. Great tone and played with good touch and feeling. Great way to kick off 2026 Paul.

[Alan L]

Nicely done! Very smooth and heartfelt

[Dieter]

Fine melodic playing.

Dieter

[hardenheavy]

Well, your “good enough” sounds great. You’re selling yourself short if you ask me :).
Sounds really good and it’s phrased super nicely.

Cheers,
Henh

Trust the process.

[Manfred M]

I know this “good enough” thing, Paul. It’s always part of my recording process.
But I can say that your “good enough” sounds more than good enough to me. I think you’ve found your place in the track wonderfully and let yourself be inspired by some beautiful melodic ideas.
In any case, when I listened to it, I found it to be a totally well-rounded piece. I liked it, not just enough, but totally.

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup will be on January 31, 2026

For more information click here

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[Jonathan Amos]

Use it or lose it, the same thing happened to me. I came back to the piece after a break and started making new mistakes I didn’t make first time round. I have not played that EP but your soulful playing has inspired me to try it.

Jonathan Amos, Matsuyama, Japan

[Guido]

Don’t worry Paul, this take sounds very good to me! You definitely got under your fingers this lesson now and you can just grab your guitar anytime and play it for some friends for example! Very enjoyable to listen to!

Guido

[JoeD1]

It came out very nicely Paul. If I had a nickel for every time I forgot to turn on the camera during a perfect take…

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

[Mark T]

Oh my word, Paul, I’m pretty sure most of us have had the frustration of “The Perfect Take” that didn’t take for some reason or other – despite all your checks and double-checks beforehand – there’s nothing more deflating and annoying! 😖😖

Anyhow, this submission was really good and well played, and your anger didn’t show (well, not much anyway 😂) – Mark 👍🎶😎

[Lights]

Oh my god! This is beautiful, so perfect and professional edition! Really like it Paul!
Lights.

[Tremelow]

Hey Paul, I understand your frustration with missing out the one and (so far) only “perfect” take. But let me tell you this: What you are submitting here is top shelf! Absolutely “good enough”!

[Mike W]

That was terrific Paul – I loved every second – in fact I’m going to play it again. It’s a great BT (I used the same one) and you got every nuance out of it.

[Martin W]

Nice choice of track I remember this one fondly , has a gospel feel to my ear ,
Your melodic phrasing was spot on and very soulful complimenting fully .
I’m with you on the recording, I did several takes on mine and forgot to turn the mics on !

But as Brian has quoted in the past “ Done is better than perfect “

Martin

[charjo]

What!….you had a perfect take, can’t say that’s ever happened for me. I feel your frustration though, the video thing is a pain.
No worries, it sounded great. I especially like the phrasing in the low register after 2:00. Always tasteful, Paul.
John

[JoLa]

Haha, Paul – a “good enough” take is a story of my AM life!

Love the slowly evolving melody here, it sounds like a song everybody knows but not sure what to name it… Excellent warm tone, especially by the end when you went a little quieter, it sounded like a musical whisper 🙂 Your take sounded way better than just good enough for my ears!

🎸JoLa

[Michael Krailo]

I’m always reminded by the rules at Daryl’s House, if the players try and sneak in a practice take, it will likely get recorded an whatever happens on the first take with the other band members is the final cut no matter what. There is a lot of wisdom in that self imposed rule he puts on all the players. He of course gives them time to practice their parts alone at home, but as soon as they start playing/practicing over his place with the other guys in the band, that’s gonna be the take that goes on the show.

That said, this was a great version and it had everything I’m looking for in a good take. So rest easy, you nailed it.

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

[Laurel C]

Sounded awesome to my ears Paul. Tone, touch, phrasing. Bullseye. 🎯

[Juxi]

Well, Paul S. The year started well, I read your introduction and had to laugh … been there. 😊However, as John points out, I never had a perfect take. After take 25 I usually decide that take 5 wasn’t so bad after all 😎 actually in this challenge I had to take take 7, because though I had a video (with audio on the iPhone), I realised that I had overwritten take 5 in the DAW 😏
Anyway, most of the time the “good enough” takes are much more interesting to listen to.

I could not detect something amiss with your performance, I enjoyed listening! 👋🏽👍🏽
If my year 2026 turns out like this, I willl be satisfied 😊

Bluesige Grüße
Juxi

[Andy N]

“….completing it without mistakes exactly zero times”
Oh how I can relate to that! I feel so much better knowing I’m not alone!

But your “good enough” take sounded more than good enough to me it sounded spot on. Bags of tasteful phrasing and that tone has just the right amount of break up to add a bit of girth to the sound.

[Serena C]

I really like your less-than-perfect but very soulful performance Paul, btw I find it very smoothly played and cannot hear any mistakes… spontaneity often pays off 😉

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)

[Michael L]

This was really a good listen Paul! Your playing is so melodic, the phrasing really tells a story. Love that gospel/blues vibe. Fun!

[David H]

Ah yes, hat dang I got a good take! Wait, where did it go? Rats, now how the heck did I do that? No worry, this was fine. Great mellow start to the new year.

[Author]

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