February 2021 Challege Resonse (EP 338 : Rythm with fill licks.)

[Geoff]

I am not exactly sure what my first lesson was but the earliest recorded was EP338 (Creative Rythm Ideas). I record everything I do these days but it is interesting to hear the changes since then. Much less hesitant to throw in my own improvisations now and one of the things apparent to me is I am much more comfortable with minor/major/mixolydian than I am with the blues. I can only speculate that my classical training is responsible for that. All of the second half on this one is my own.

This was as I had this back in April last year. (No improvisations)

[Rollover33]

Well done Geof ! The more we play… better it is !!! Hope see you next month, thank’s for sharing BRAVO from France !!!

[Geoff]

Hi Rollover, I heard your contribution to this challenge and BRAVO to you too 🙂 I will be back.

[Lights]

Great jam, Geoff, esp. like your own stuff, itś something Santana-like playing,
Lights.

[Geoff]

Thanks Lights. I am trying very hard not to just copy Brian’s lessons these days – takes me longer to get through a lesson but I get more out of them that way.

[James B]

Nice job Geoff. Maybe you could play us some Bach on the electric? Just kidding. Did you ever learn ‘Bouree’? Jethro Tull did a cool version of that one.

James

[Geoff]

Hi James, Jethro Tull was one of my all time favorit bands for the longest time. ( As I have got older I have got to appreciate many others too.) I guess it’s possible to play Bach on the electric but with all of the overlapping melodies it would probably sound too ‘ringy’ and not very nice. I don’t think I would ever bother to play my classical stuff on an electric guitar.

You just got me listening to Jethro Tull’s Bouree again as I am writing this and, of course, it sounds absolutely fantastic. I have played Bach a lot on the the guitar but not this particular melody. (If I am not very mistaken Ian Anderson was a classically trained musician.)

[John B]

One of my favorite tunes. You played it perfect. The improv was great. Beautiful Geoff

[Geoff]

Thanks so much John, it really was a fun one to do. I love playing those mixed rythm lead lessons Brian puts out.

[Ralph P.]

Nicely done Geoff. Seems like you’re coming to grips (pun intended) with that pick thing. It’s nice to see a “classical cat” branching out into the Blues realm. Variety is the spice of music. I’m glad it’s all not one flavor.

Ralph P.

[Geoff]

Hi Ralph, I have always been reasonably comfortable with a pick and I generally prefer using one for electric playing. Classical is really more my thing but, like you say, variety just makes it all more fun.

[AndréM]

Excellent performance.
Great tone.

AndréM

AndréM

[Geoff]

Thanks for listening Andre.

[Juxi]

Hi Geoff, great performance. I first listend to your performance from April last year and I would have said that there is nothing to improve, but you really put the tune on the next level with you performance today. Good job!

Bluesige Grüße
Juxi

[Geoff]

Thanks Juxi you are too kind. So often I play something thinking I sound good until I play back the recording -:( Whenever I listen to myself I can see a list as long as my arm to improve on. (Over the last year I have been recording every single thing I play – really helps me to improve but it can be humbling sometimes).

[JohnStrat]

Hi Geoff,
Well Here with an AM lesson, great. You’ve come a long way. I suspect its a video trick, but are you ambidextrous? If so amazing. And in any case very well done. More please.

JohnStrat

[Geoff]

Thans John, I could only wish that I am ambidextrous – it just took a long time for me to figure out the camera on my phone. (I am a bog-standard rightie in real life). I hope I am getting better at improvisation but it all progresses at a glacial pace.

[Rainer L]

Great performance, I did this lesson as well but I don’t I ever got as proficient as you.

[Geoff]

Thanks Rainer. I am sure you are being too modest. It’s all just a lot of practicing – no special talents on my part.

[Dieter]

Very nice playing.

Dieter

[Vincent K]

Well done Geoff, this song was also one of my favourites. I must revisit this lessen soon!

🎸 Vincent 🎶 🇳🇱

[Geoff]

Thanks Vincent, this is a nice one to play for sure. I liked the way Brian comes up with these really cool little compositions without getting overly technical. He just gets right down to the meat of the theory and leaves the rest up to us.

[WBlues]

Good comparison of these two videos. Nice work and development.

Play guitar just like you live; don't get bogged down in theory, it's just a tool without feeling.

Wilfried

[Guido]

Great job Geoff, flawless rendition of the first Brian’s original half and very nice jam improvisation of your own in the second half!

Guido

[Geoff]

Thanks Guido

[Phil67]

In my cosmology, classical players know the secret arcanes of harmony and relation between notes, so they are great solo composers.
You definitely confirm my theory.

Where does the white go when snow melts?

[Geoff]

Thanks Phil, I think you overrate me 🙂 Classical players learn the guitar differently. In my experience at least, we get a pretty good grouning in reading music and knowing the fretboard but we don’t do so well with music theroy. Being able to jam is not something quite foriegn to a lot classical guitar players. In my case, if I sit down and work something out, I can come up with something – Brians lessons have helped me a lot in that regard.

[John H]

Nice job on this Geoff…. your improv is intriguing smooth. Thanks for sharing.

John H.

[JFL]

Cool to see Then and Now. Good playing and nice improv Geoff!

JFL

[Hide (ひで）]

Geoff, Your improvisation is awesome! Bach and B.B. King. What a lovely blend. I am very inspired. Hide

Hidetada Shimizu

[Geoff]

Thank you Hide. Coming from you that’s a compliment for sure. Truth is, i am pretty bad at the blues but I do have more of a feel playing in major minor or modal motifs.

[Martin W]

Hi Geoff, nice work with this I can hear that classical influence with those intricate runs , always good to add your own improv as that is the end goal I guess , and recording everything gives you a true perspective on your progress. Well played .

Martin

[Bob Utberg]

Great job Geoff! On both vids. Way to be creative and make it your own! Bob

Bob U. (aka Bobby Ut)

[Phil B]

Great playing. Nice clear tones and some interesting improvisations.Well done.

[JoLa]

Bravo, Geoff! For a classically trained player, you handle that electric guitar very well and are even comfortable with the pick and that’s remarkable. Both of your versions are right on, your added improvisation gave it a different feel but still cool.

🎸JoLa

[Geoff]

Thanks Jola, this last year was not my first exposure to playing with a pick. I used one decades ago when I played in a band (badly..mind you). I am starting to notice that all of my improvisations take on a somewhat ‘Spanishy’ feel no matter how hard I might try to avoid that. I have always been heavily influenced by classical and flamenco – I don’t think I will ever be a blues player but it doesn’t matter, I will just make the Spanish thing my style lol.

[Canada Moose]

From classical to Santana blues; love that fusion starting around 1:00. And all that really original improvising, what a great mix of styles.
What next?

[Geoff]

Hi Moose, I am not sure. I feel like doing one of Brian’s Eric Clapton Cream compositions just for something completely different this time around.

On the classical side, I am working on a bunch of Tarrega compositions. I just love Spanish Romantic guitar.

[Canada Moose]

Geoff wrote:

On the classical side, I am working on a bunch of Tarrega compositions. I just love Spanish Romantic guitar.

Me too; currently prepping LaGrima (you did a great job) and Adelita – both in key of E, and very instructive in seeing E chord shapes and positions up and down the neck. I don’t think he ever heard of CAGED system, but he sure used it.

[sunjamr]

Way to go Geoff! There’s nothing wrong with creating a totally unique blues/flamenco/classical fusion. I’ve done some blues/reggae fusion stuff, and it works.

Sunjamr Steve

[Geoff]

Thanks Steve. I seem to be fumbling around trying to discover a style of playing – I guess I am always going to lean to what I feel.

[Canada Moose]

Geoff wrote:

Thanks Steve. I seem to be fumbling around trying to discover a style of playing – I guess I am always going to lean to what I feel.

We’ve got a lot in common Geoff; i’m also constantly moving between different styles and genres (classical, blues, ballads, finger-style, smooth jazz) depending on what I’m hearing. Sometimes so many possibilities are overwhelming in my limited time, but then there’s things like Brian’s challenges that get me focused.
Still, I’m always looking ahead to what’s next? Even my Must-Do list of classic solos keeps getting longer. My wife got me past a stretch of “option paralysis” when i couldn’t make a decision; she said it doesn’t matter what I work on, one piece is as good as another, just pick something you love and do it. One piece is as good as another.

Right now, after listening to about 30 challenge submissions (out of what, 100?) I think next up for me is some straight ahead electric blues. (Or maybe those Tarrega pieces, ha ha).
What do they call this experience, an embarrassment of riches?

[Geoff]

Hi Moose, it’s sounds like we o have a lot in common. The difference with me, though, is I just find it really hard to be consistent with my practicing. Typically something happens in my life or I get discouraged for some reason and I can stop playing for years at a time which sucks.

I do think it is important to stay focused and not get too distracted which is just darned difficult with the internet these days. I would say your wife is absolutely right about picking what you love. Over the years I have come to realize, or rather accept, it’s classical I love the most and that is my prime focus. I do these lessons from Brian because they allow me to think differently and his lessons have just been too good to ignore and a condition in my hands has made playing classical more difficult for me over the years.

[Garry]

Well played Geoff. I love these rhythm and fill lick lessons too. Love the fact that your getting into the improvising and it’s sounding darn good. Really enjoyed your submission. All the best!

[Geoff]

Thanks Garry, in a way I find playing rythm and backing more interesting than lead. Can’t really say why, learning hwo to construct chords and harmony is just the thing that floats my boat more I guess. I am thrilled that you think I sounded good – I enjoy your submissions too.

[Dave K]

Great jam, Geoff! You played it well the first time also, but can definitely hear the improvement on your updated one. Also love the jam you do at the end. Well done!

[Geoff]

Thanks Dave, I did OKish with it the first time but the dynamics were kinda flat and I couldn’t get the bends quite right. As I am sure you know well, improving is a whole series of little refinements that accumulate at a glacial pace over a long period of time.

By the way, I have only heard you on accoustics which you do great at. Do you play electrics at all?

[Wim]

Hi Geoff,

Your progress is remarkable. Yes, you can hear the classical influence. It sounds like latin blues (Santana) to me 👍

It’s a great idea to record your playing for self-evaluation.

Wim.

Wim

[Geoff]

Thanks you Wim, I am absolutely thrilled that you could compare me to Santana who is probably my all time favorite guitar hero. I guess I have been subconciously influenced by his playing.

[Mike W]

Nice one (two) Geoff. That was good to see the comparison. Good playing all round. Was it an effect of the camera angle or is that a wider than usual fretboard on your Squier? Mike

[Geoff]

Thanks Mike, I don’t really know if my Squire Strat has a wider than usual fredboard. Most likely just the camera angle.

[richard t]

Your classical background shines through on this piece and lends a very pleasant sounding version. I liked it a lot.

[Geoff]

Thanks Richard. I have got a long way to go but I am genuinely happy that you enjoyed this

[snakechisler]

You have a superb ear it flows almost like Santana in places and certainly gave me the mood and feel of the great legend

It would be good to hear you play this with a more overdriven sound in that style it really soars and dips excellent stuff.

[Geoff]

Thanks Snakechilser. I just love that people think I sound like Santana – I doubt I could ever touch the robe of “the great one” -:). You know, I am not too confident with overdrive and I use it pretty sparingly – I have a a great BOSS ME-80 effects unit that would allow me to switch to overdrive from clean but I have yet to figure out how to control the volume nicely that way. You have given me the thought that I should tinker with that a bit more.

[Carpa]

Nicely played and with a nice piece of improvisation, bravo

[Geoff]

Thank you Carpa.

[Israel U]

That was a great EP and great playing too! Loved the improvisation, it had classic guitar influence to my ear. Very nice presentation of 2 styles.

Israel

[Geoff]

Thanks for listening Israel.

[snakechisler]

Geoff wrote:

Thanks Snakechilser. I just love that people think I sound like Santana – I doubt I could ever touch the robe of “the great one” -:). You know, I am not too confident with overdrive and I use it pretty sparingly – I have a a great BOSS ME-80 effects unit that would allow me to switch to overdrive from clean but I have yet to figure out how to control the volume nicely that way. You have given me the thought that I should tinker with that a bit more.

With the me80 try compressor -> reverb -> delay (to taste an echo or analogue is a good starting point) it will give you the sustain and fulness without the o/D

I play at fairly low volumes most of the time and use variations on the above

[charjo]

Love seeing you on electric, Geoff. A strat automatically gives you the cool factor. It will be interesting to watch your style develop over the coming months.
John

[Geoff]

Thanks Charjo. Truth is I originally wanted a semi-solid electric, and still do. I got my “Squire Stratie” because it was cheap and I didn’t know where I was going to go with this electric guitar playing – turns out I rather like this guitar especially after I upgraded the pickups on it.

[Pap]

Geoff, absolutely you have improved on this one. You play with more confidence and your imrov is unique which is what defines you as a player. I wish I had some classical roots. Play what you love and play every day. Cheers to you Geoff. Pap

[Geoff]

Thanks Pap, I hope I am making progress. You are absolutely right “Play what you love and play every day”. It’s the playing every day part that can be tricky – life gets in the way sometimes.

[Tom D]

Hi Geoff, you have a distinctive and enjoyable sound. I also appreciate your hard working and thoughtful approach to learning. Cheers.

Tom

[Geoff]

Thank you Tom. Very kind words.

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