February Active Melody Challenge Response — Paul S.

[Paul S.]

This classic old chord progression really resonated with me, so I put together my own interpretation of Brian’s melody.

As it turns out, too, I am posting this from London, England today, though I recorded the piece about a week ago. I am visiting family and will check out everyone’s submissions as I can.

[Michael Krailo]

Oooh, that guitar sounds sweet. Nice work on this one Paul.

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

[Guido]

We have the same tastes Paul, we chose the same lesson. A beautiful one, isn’t it?

Knowing very well the piece, I can only appreciate and I liked very much the very original way you developed your own melody, very different from the original Brian’s and at the same time very enjoyable to listen to!

Very well played and crafted, an excellent work!

Guido

[Michael L]

Hi Paul, this is really pretty and enjoyable to listen to. Such mellow tone and lyrical, melodic playing. Loved it all.
Safe travels. Hope you have comfortable shoes for standing in line those many hours.

[Dieter]

Very soulful playing, sounds great.

Dieter

[JoeD1]

So smooth and mellow Paul. Great playing.

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

[Raffaele S]

Eccellente Paul…..
Bellissima interpretazione

[Richard G]

Yes Paul, we have the ‘interweb’ in England and to prove it I’ve watched your superb improvised melody against that chord progression. Some beautiful sequences.

Richard

[Brendan G]

Very professional sounding.
Totally enjoyed this.
Brendan

[AndréM]

So sweet and mellow.
Awesome choice.
Paul is that your car in the intro?

AndréM

AndréM

[Paul S.]

Not my car, just one from the era the music reminded me of.

[sunjamr]

Way to go Paul, that sounds as smooth as Tennessee whiskey! Great job on the phrasing and dynamics.

Sunjamr Steve

[Denise]

Anything in D, haha.
Very nice own interpretation of the lesson: Love the Vintage sound.
Very skillfully played as usual.
Have a great time in London. We will be visiting England soon, too.
Denise

More Blues!

[Carpa]

Well played 👍

[Bill]

Sweetly played Paul.

[Mark T]

Really nicely performed, Paul – some fine playing there! Trust you’re enjoying your time in London – at least the weather has turned for you, from the deluge we’ve had lately – Mark 👍🎶😎

[James B]

Love your take on this one, Paul. Reminds me of slow dancing at the high school gym.

James

[Pap]

Hey Paul, this was really skillful playing. You really did a great job making it your own and you were right in the pocket (which can be challenging for up BG types). Have fun in London. Cheers. Pap

[sciencefiction]

Played to perfection, Paul. Your improvisations on EP585 sound just like those classic ballads of old. (Ditto with James on the high school gym.)
Awesome!
Larry

[Alan L]

So smooth and soulful! Well played

[Manfred M]

You’ve really made this piece your own, Paul.
Your melody is so sweet and captivating that it just melts your heart
(mine, anyway).
But also because you play it with such feeling and skill.
Have a good time in London!

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

[JoLa]

Absolutely delightful, Paul! You certainly made it your own and played it just beautifully. Love the variety of phrasing in each cycle and the common melody motif holding it all together. Masterfully done!

Enjoy your London trip, so much to see over there!

🎸JoLa

[Laurel C]

So refreshing to hear the old school classic sound, smooth and melodic. You played this skilfully and masterfully adding your own phrasing and interpretation, its so easy to get swept up in its sweetness .

[John H]

Lovely Paul
Rich, melodic and resonate. Flows nicely. Love the gentle yet fat tone from the PRS.

John

[Serena C]

great improvisation and rendition of this ballad Paul, soulful and melodic, nice!

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)

[Martin W]

Nice melodic improv it goes so well with the backing tracking evoking that 50s era
Lots of soul and feeling in those phrases, with a central theme .
Enjoy your visit to the UK , although the weather is a bit up and down at the moment.

Martin.

[Mike W]

Perfect composition over Brian’s terrific backing track (the man’s a genius). It resonated with me also, (and I suspect with most of us of a certain age) which is why I also chose it. It’s a chord progression that makes you to want to just keep playing. Beautifully played with a magic tone. The repeated motifs make it into a rounded piece, and in fact that’s one of the points Brian made in the lesson.

[snakechisler]

Really nice sound and tone from your PRS

It cuts right through the mix in a mellow controlled way
Well played and thanks for sharing

[Author]

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