February 2026 Challenge Response – Mark T

[Mark T]

Dear AMers – for this month’s challenge, I chose a Dickey Betts inspired lead from Brian’s list: EP565

And … it was all going so well, to begin with 🤣🤣! I was learning the lesson, bar-by-bar, at full tempo without too many issues, and thoroughly enjoying it 😁. I could see from the Tabs that I had nearly completed the lesson, and then came the last 4 bars – oh boy! 😲😲😂😂

The cascading quadruplets just wouldn’t fall under my fingers. I tried slowing the tempo down to 75% but, to me, this made the rest of the piece sound too slow! I was running short of time to practice, so I’ve resorted to easier triplets – just for this section – allowing me to retain the full tempo.

I hope you enjoy my submission and, as ever, I look forward to hearing all your challenge responses
– Mark 👍🎶😎

[Richard G]

Nicely played Mark, plenty of trills and frills which is the hallmark of this tune. Thoroughly enjoyable piece from you.

Richard

[Laurel C]

Such a lively arrangement to handle under the fingers and you did it like a pro. A great performance to set the weekend off with this sprightly arrangement (which needs fast fingers). Top Notch, Mark.

[Dieter]

Wow, really hot groovy stuff!

Dieter

[Paddyboy]

I thought it was really good Mark. good duet playing

ALL IT TAKES TO WRITE A SONG IS........3 CHORDS AND THE TRUTH!

[JoeD1]

That was wonderful Mark. You played it perfectly.

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

[AndréM]

Awesome Mark, played like a pro.
You got the speed down very well.

AndréM

AndréM

[Michael L]

Wow, Mark, this is excellent!! Such great tone, clean picking, and lively energy. Perhaps your best submission ever!

[sciencefiction]

Sounds awesome, Mark! This really rocks, dude!!
Larry

[James B]

Most impressive, Mark. You were in the groove and tight with the band. Love the camera work too, (do you have a ‘camera woman’ like Werner? 😀

James

[Brendan G]

Love a bit of Dicky Betts.
Great stuff.

[Alan L]

You really nailed the feel and flavor of this style Mark! One of your best 🙂

[Raffaele S]

46
Great Mark……wonderful interpretation….

[JoLa]

Wow, Mark! I thought I pressed my Spotify button by mistake and it started playing Dickey Betts himself! This gotta be one of your very best performances, it just sounded incredible! If you hadn’t mentioned the struggle at the last bar I would have never thought anything was different than the original. However, when difficulties happened, you found just the best solution – just played it your own way! That’s what music is all about! Bravo!

🎸JoLa

[sunjamr]

Way to shred, Mark! As a huge fan of Dickey Betts I can’t believe I’ve overlooked this lesson, but it’s on my list now. And changing a lesson to suit your own style or capabilities is no shame, it’s exactly what we’re supposed to be doing.

Sunjamr Steve

[Michael Krailo]

I haven’t even tried to play this one yet, but you knocked this one out of the park with the timing and feel. I love it.

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

[Denise]

“..and then came the last 4 bars – oh boy! 😲😲😂😂”
These twiddly bits!!! Brian always spoils it haha.

Oh Mark I love that lesson but it seems so unreachable for me.
You did a great job and you played so well. I like how you solved the problem: Triplets instead of quadruplets!!

Absolutely great tone on your Strat!!!
That was one of your best subs, BRAVO!!!!! You can be proud of that one.
I am amazed how you kept that crazy tempo and timing.
1:49 loved that ringing crunch.

We will be visiting Wales in May (after we had such an amazing time in Devon/Cornwall last year).

More Blues!

[Author]

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