EP617 Dark and Spacey lead

[Geoff]

I know my taste can be a bit different but I, personally, rate this as one of the best lessons I have heard from Brian. I guess I like it because it seems to go beyond playing and tells a bit of a story.

In that light, I have tried to emulate this in my own improv section. Mostly working melody around the Eminor scale pattern and coming up with my own two note rhythm section. The whole effect comes out very Spanish sounding- my favorite 😁

[San Luis Rey]

Wow Geoff! You captured the feel of this one perfectly! The tone and timing were on the money and you improvised section fit in just right. This lesson can be a bit tricky but you nailed it!

Mike

[Geoff]

Thanks San Luis, I think this is one of those lessons that needs space between phrases for dramatic effect. Not too technically hard but musically more challenging I think. My kind of lesson for sure.

[charjo]

Nice lesson choice, Geoff. Sound great on electric.
John

[Geoff]

I have to admit, I was surprised by how it came out on my electric. This lesson did seem better suited to an acoustic but I was able to adapt it a bit.

[Garry]

Yes, I love this lesson too Geoff. Very well executed! You kept the same spacey, mysterious feel throughout and I agree, your Spanish, classical influences shone through.for sure. Great additions and … you’ve inspired me. I’ve got to find some more time to learn this one. All the best! 😎🎸😎

[Geoff]

You will smash this one Garry 🙂

[David L]

Melodic, spacey and haunting. Palpable vibe. And I get the Spanish flavor. Impressive use of harmonics and double-stops. Tone is perfect for this. Nicely done, as always, Geoff.

[Geoff]

Thanks David. I still remember you doing EP282 very well which is another favorite lesson of mine.

[JoeD1]

Simply smashing Geoff. I haven’t looked at the lesson but I couldn’t tell where the lesson ended and your improv began…that’s how good I thought you were. Brilliant!

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

[Geoff]

Thanks Joe, on this one I did try to keep with the spirit of the lesson – 🙂

[Dieter]

Wow, with the Spanish motifs and the excellent sound, you create a wonderful “mysterious” atmosphere—really very creative!

Dieter

[Geoff]

Thanks Dieter, this really was a fun one for me to do.

[wannaplayblues]

Very nice – and the panning *really* added to a spacial feel!!!!

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

[Geoff]

Oh you heard that wbp ? 🙂 Panning is something I use as standard these days but it takes headphones to hear it.

[wannaplayblues]

Not for me – my little home studio setup has speakers set apart and the panning was really clear to me 😀

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

[sunjamr]

Me too, I really liked that lesson. I learned it, then started adding my own improv, as you did. You did a fine job, totally “in the spirit of”.

Sunjamr Steve

[Geoff]

Thanks Steve. Great lesson. I wish Brian did more like this.

[JoLa]

Simply beautiful! My kinda vibes, love your improvisations over this, Geoff! That would make an outstanding movie soundtrack, well done.

🎸JoLa

[Geoff]

As it happens, I enjoy “atmospheric” music that tells a story Jola. One of my all time favorites is Mike Oldfield’s “Songs of Distant Earth” album.

[Helen Lazaridou]

What a breathtaking piece Geoff!!!!!!Could this be one of your best improvisations?To be honest,I don’t know if all this is your own improvising or of part of it i
s Brian ‘s!It’s wonderful!So haunting and atmospheric 💕💖💞When one day I go back to the electric guitar,this is the lesson I will learn!!!!
BRAVO!

[Geoff]

Thanks much Helen 🙂

I actually think it is one of my best improvs. One of the things I have been trying to learn is to keep it simple and leave lots of space – there is always this temptation to throw lots of notes at things but the spaces between the notes say as much as the notes themselves.

I think this is probably Brian’s best lesson yet. He comes up with lots of ideas but I think this was his most interesting and original by far.

[Guido]

I love this lesson too Geoff, and its dark melancholic atmosphere: as Brian said, it reminds a bit a Pink Floyd style song.

And you played a brilliant rendition of the original Brian’s composition, but, like it happens often with your renditions, I liked even more your own composition in the second cycle, really flows seamlessly and in a original way at the same time (loved especially that descending run near the end!). Very well done!

Guido

[Geoff]

Thanks so much Guido. This is a lesson that really touched me for some reason.

The descending run near the end was just playing out the minor scale but it seemed to fit the mood of the whole thing quite well.

[Liam Innes]

Interesting for sure.

You made great use of the space and managed to make it sound “Spanish”. No easy task.

Also liked the right hand movements and the tone.

Liam.

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

[Geoff]

Thanks Liam and , yes, now that I think of it, I had to put a lot into strumming those little two note chords with precision. Hard to do that without hitting other strings 🤪.

[Todd B]

Awesome Geoff! Very enjoyable! The sound is superb!

[Geoff]

Thanks for giving this a listen Todd.

[John H]

Geoff
Well done… I am fascinated by your taste in music. It’s like classical artist goes rogue but always comes back home. I remember once hearing Andre Segovia say “rock and roll is for morons.” You inspired me to give this backing track a try. There is a lot of ambient room of which you make good use. I do like the sound(s) you pull from your Guild. Enjoyable performance Geoff. Thanks for sharing. BTW-your tastes are such that I really enjoy your posts. I know I am always going on a musical adventure. Keep it up please.

John

[Geoff]

Hey thanks John, as I think you have probably guessed by now, I enjoy all guitar styles and I try, not always successfully, to play them all. Classical is always going to be at my core but I use it as a foundation to branch off to other things. Just a good way to keep me from getting bored 🙂

Glad you liked this and I really recommend this lesson as a great way to learn how to make use of space when improvising. It is something I have heard Brian talk about more and more as he matures as a musician and I couldn’t agree with him more.

[Author]

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