February 2026 Challenge Response – Mike W

[Mike W]

Good day everyone,
As my laptop went into meltdown this week I’ve had serious problems trying to get this recorded. It’s not easy for a mega-technophobe like me to adjust to new equipment. My partner nursed me through the process, fortunately. I hope you think it’s worth the hassle.
I opted for EP 585 – a slow ballad. I’ve done one verse of the original and verse of my own composition. I then chanced my arm and went for an improvised verse, so please forgive the bum notes.
Hope you like it, here’s the link

[Bob M.]

Great job Mike. Wonderful tone and your composition blended seamlessly . Loved it the whole way through.

[Mike W]

Many thanks Bob, I’m glad you liked it.

[Dieter]

Sounds really great.

Dieter

[Mike W]

Thanks Dieter, I’m glad you liked it.

[AndréM]

Everything was fine and sounded good.
Except we couldn’t see your fingers.
Nice tremolo going.

AndréM

AndréM

[Mike W]

Thanks Andre, I’m glad you liked it. Unfortunately the restricted view was because I was recording onto my phone – normally I use an external webcam. It was me playing – honest.

[Guido]

We have the same tastes and we chose the same lesson, Mike, and playing also our own composition/improvisation!

Very well played the first Brian’s part and very nice composition in the second cycle. In the latter it seems to me that you chose some ideas very similar to mine, playing also the G and Gm positions on the high frets, even if I can’t see well the fretboard.

Then congratulations for your purely improvised third cycle: never easy to improvise, but your last part was probably, among the other excellent parts, my favourite one, very original and melodic!

Guido

[Mike W]

Thanks for your kind comments Guido.

[James B]

Nice job on this lesson, Mike. A pretty tune played well.

James

[Mike W]

Many thanks James, I’m glad you liked it.

[JoeD1]

I didn’t hear any bum notes Mike. It sounded like a very smooth melody with your improv fitting in quite nicely.

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

[Mike W]

Many thanks Joe, I’m glad you liked it.

[Raffaele S]

Well done Mike…special sound….

[Mike W]

Many thanks Raffaele.

[Michael Krailo]

Great work getting through your technical challenge. You played that piece really well.

I know how you must feel. I’m very tech savvy, but I recently had a problem that I could not solve and none of my techy friends could either. Ended up backing up all my data and doing a factory reset on it. Super stressful when all you want to do is play guitar and make recordings.

Anyway, I’m so glad it’s over and my DAW is back up and running.

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

[Mike W]

Many thanks MIchael.

[sciencefiction]

Wow, Mike, this sounded great! I felt like I was hearing it on AM radio in my car back in the old days.
Your two improvs were super. Fit perfectly. This ballad is a killer.
Way to nail it!
Larry

[Mike W]

Many thanks Larry, I’m glad you liked it. I really enjoyed playing it. There’s a lot to be said for nostalgia, and the way that music can stir it up.

[Bill]

In jazz, we call bum notes “extensions” 🙂
It all sounds good to me Mike! Hope you get your tech issues all settled, be nice to see one of your great guitars in frame again.

[Mike W]

Thanks Bill, I’m glad you liked it. It’s a style of music that I go for.

[JoLa]

That was great, Mike! What bum notes?? The whole composition was flowing like a relaxing river boat, such a soothing melody… I am familiar with the lesson, even though I have not tried it myself, and I can tell you did a fantastic job here but the best part was your improv at the end, I agree with Guido on that one! Sometimes we don’t have enough confidence in ourselves, I’m very guilty of it myself, but if we only let go, the results may surprise us. You should be proud of this one, Mike! Glad you had conquered your technical issues… well, maybe except for the camera angle 😉

🎸JoLa

[Mike W]

Many thanks Jola, I’m glad you liked it. It’s a lovely piece to play and I really enjoyed learning it. It’s testament to Brian’s genius that he comes up with chord sequences that are just begging to be improvised over. Paul’s submission of the same lesson demonstrates that so well.
Hopefully I’ll get my new laptop this week and I should be up and running in time for the next challenge, so the camera angle should be resolved.

[Alan L]

Smooth and sweet. I thought your improv fit well; outlines the changes yet very melodic. Well played!

[Mike W]

Many thanks Alan, I’m glad you liked it. It’s a great piece to play.

[John H]

Well played Mike
Soulful, smooth and melodic. I would have liked to see your guitar and hands as well. Maybe next time. Great Stuff, you really sounded nice.

John

[Mike W]

Many thanks John, I’m pleased you liked it. I hope to get a new laptop this week so I should be able to get the full picture next time.

[Manfred M]

Great lesson choice, Mike. And despite your technical difficulties, you did a fantastic job here. You sound totally relaxed and calm. How did you manage that?

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup will be on February 28, 2026

For more information click here

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[Mike W]

Many thanks Manfred, I’m pleased you liked it. I think because of the recording problems I’d accepted that there was a likelihood of my not submitting this month – I think this took the pressure off.

[Mark T]

I empathise with your laptop meltdown issues, Mike, having suffered the same with mine recently – I ended up having to completely replace it! Anyway, it doesn’t appear to have affected your ability to put out a wonderful performance – thoroughly enjoyed that. – Mark 👍🎶😎

[Mike W]

Thanks very much Mark, I’m glad you liked it. It’s a piece that is a real pleasure to play.

[Denise]

It was all fine with your playing.
I like that you made an extentional cycle with your own lead.
My partner also has to help me with tech issues.

More Blues!

[Mike W]

Many thanks Denise, I’m glad you liked it.

[snakechisler]

Good chops well done
A nice melodic performance
thanks for sharing

[Mike W]

Many thanks Greg, I’m glad you liked it.

[Martin W]

Nice work with this lesson Mike , your own improv fitted in seamlessly and kept to the same 50s style, I didn’t detect any bum notes .
I’m with you on the computer side of things it’s definitely not my strong point , playing guitar is hard enough!
Well played I enjoyed it .

Martin

[Mike W]

Many thanks Martin, I’m pleased that you enjoyed it. Yes, I know they’re necessary if we want to submit the videos but it’s easy for the emphasis to be placed on the wrong thing. I really need a record producer to take care of that side of things!!!

[Pap]

Mike, nice playing here and you sounded great. I did not really hear any bum notes. Keep up the great playing! Cheers. Pap

[Mike W]

That’s very kind Pap, thank you.

[Carpa]

Played very melodiously, great👍

[Mike W]

Many thanks Carpa, I’m glad you liked it.

[Laurel C]

Oh so sweet, sounded great. Glad you dealt with the technical issues, as they do come along to test us. Keep up the good work, and let us see your guitars as well.

[Mike W]

That’s very kind, Laurel, thank you.

[charjo]

Great job on all three parts, Mike. Your tone was so sweet, just perfect for this piece.
John

[Mike W]

Many thanks John, I’m pleased you liked it.

[Richard G]

You demonstrated a gifted soft-touch for this lesson Mike. The tone and timing was spot on throughout, a cool posting.

Richard

[Mike W]

Many thanks Richard, I’m glad you liked it.

[sunjamr]

Sounds kind of ethereal on my speakers, a very intriguing vibe going on there. Maybe it’s the tremolo, or the tone. But whatever, you nailed it!

Sunjamr Steve

[Mike W]

Thanks Steve – the tone was a preset on the Fender 25 amp.

[Michael L]

Wonderful playing Mike. Smooth, mellow, and relaxing. Great to hear your improvisation verse, too!

[Mike W]

Many thanks Michael – glad you liked it.

[Author]

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