January 2024 Challenge Response: AndyN

[Andy N]

In EP549 at 5:43 Brian clearly says “There are no rules to this” and at 5:54 “This works in any scale”. Now I know there was plenty of context around that, but I didn’t hear it 🙉😋! Instead, I’ve used those comments to bend the rules and disguise the bare 4 note scale a bit. I’ve tried to use it sparingly and changed scales, timing, repeated notes etc to try and blend it in with phrases either side.

I started out with several ideas, intending to weave these into an improvisation over a Slow C Dorian, Quist jam track. Some made it, some didn’t and some got mangled in the process!
Here’s what I ended up with.

Oh, and shout a out to Denise for “loaning” me the jam track 😉

Recorded using a Universal Audio Ruby with some overdrive from a Wampler Pantheon and some spring reverb. The delay was from a Timeline using an expression pedal, a first for me. (yet one more thing to think about 😬)

[John H]

Ah one more thing to think about—Andy this is really smooth, entertaining and leaves me wanting more. Total MASTERCLASS my friend. Thanks for your inspiration.

JH

[Anonymous]

Great job Andy. Loved the feel you get using fingers instead of pick. Very nice licks and that delay is set just right to really add depth to it.

Cheers,

Marc

[Dieter]

Very soulful improvisation.

Dieter

[Paul S.]

I think using the 4-note scale but disguising it was the whole idea — a fact you intuitively grasped, apparently. You do a great job of weaving it seamlessly into the direction of this piece. It provides some structure without dominating the song. Well done. Great tone, too.

[James B]

Great job on this one, Andy.
Love your expressive feel and how cleverly you worked in the assigned phrases.

James

[Geoff]

Very nice work Andy. It is always hard for me to define what I think is good about something but I really enjoyed your phrasing. This made for some very pleasant listening.

[Manfred M]

This has worked out so good, Andy. Your playing is full of soul and feel. The right decision to play it without pick. It gives it even more depth. Nice effects, But they always fit exactly into the mood and do not get gimmicky. Really masterclass!

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

[Michael L]

Hi Andy, loved the Dorian vibe and bluesy phrasing. Nice variations on the sequence too. Fun!

[Jennifer D]

Oh yes that was lovely!

[JoLa]

Oh, just superb, Andy!

You did such a good job disguising those 4-note scale patterns that I completely missed them the first time and had to re-watch. That’s a good thing, I guess, as I got completely lost listening to your soulful arrangement. I definitely did not mind that some “got mangled in the process” because everything sounded so musical and had a great vibe. Oh, and the delay effect on expression pedal sounded awesome!

🎸JoLa

[Bob Utberg]

Andy, you nailed it!!! Gary Moore is smiling from above! The double stops are incredible and – YOU stayed off of BEAT ONE! If I were ever to give a lesson to those that may actually listen: RULE NUMBER ONE “Count out loud”
RULE NUMBER TWO: When playing the Slow Blues, listen to Andy!!! He doesn’t start on Beat One! You sounded so good my friend! Well done! Bob

Bob U. (aka Bobby Ut)

[Barry W]

Great tone!! I recently sold my USA Tele to buy an EV evolve 30m. It wasn’t easy. I know my evolve portable PA will only go down in value, while the tele will only go up. But I’m more of a strat guy, so it is what it is. Nothing quite sounds like a good telecaster. It’s almost like Leo knew what he was doing.

[Alan L]

Smooth and soulful, well played

[Marie Jarreau]

Andy,
That was so moody-bluesy and soulfully sound! Nicely done.

“Laissez les bon temps rouler“
Marie Jarreau

[AndréM]

Can’t go wrong with a Qist track.
Very nice playing, loved the delay.

AndréM

AndréM

[Alan K]

A little bit of everything in this Andy. Loved the poppy sound you got from going finger style. The intermittent delay was awesome as was the way you worked in harmonic and rhythmic element. Really nice submission.

[Martin W]

Yep real nice Andy , some fine phrasing ideas there , you play “space” very well , your subtle use of the four note sequence weaves in nicely, and that delay really compliments the piece .

Martin

[JoeD1]

Excellent playing Andy. You were very clever in using the patterns without having them too obvious…exactly what this challenge was all about.

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

[Mark T]

Loved the mix on this, Andy – nice tone and wonderful playing 👍🎶😎

[Pap]

Andy, nice job with this submission. Are there rules? If so, they are made to be broken :). Nice use of the patterns and triads, 3rds and 6ths all played finger style ….really nice submission. Cheers. Pap

[David H]

Oh I sure like what you came up with. Rules, we don’t need no stinking rules. Maybe general guidelines and then you just take them and run with it. Just like you did. Dang nice!

[Richard W]

Excellent playing, Andy. You snuck that 4 note pattern in there quite nicely around the 1:20 mark. Some sweet double stop licks in there as well. Your tone is great through the UA Ruby. I’ve heard a lot of good things about those boxes.

[sunjamr]

Wow, I also gave some thought to using the “Slow C Dorian jamtrack” from Quist, so now I’m glad I didn’t. You did a much nicer job of it than I could have. Well Played.

Sunjamr Steve

[Mike D]

ohhhhh nice slow blues, loved it! Sounded very smooth and melodic!!

Live on planet Earth ? You got the blues.

[Juxi]

Well, Andy. The delay worked just fine! Awesome performance, very smooth and precise playing. Great submission! 👍🏽

Bluesige Grüße
Juxi

[Javi]

Wow that was smooth. I liked the way it never felt like am exercise, the scales turned into pure feel in this one.

[Pat]

Nice variations on the 4 note pattern! Good submission. Enjoyed the video.

[Tom D]

That’s some classy and profession playing Andy. You got impressive tone and sound, and leveraged your considerable guitar skills in a very musical expression! I really enjoyed hearing you play. Cheers, Tom

[Guido]

Beyond the technical aspects, use of the delay and disguising the 4 note scale in sophisticated musical phrase, which are remarkable and interesting, the most important thing and that you came out with a brilliant rendition that sounds very bluesy (I love the dorian mode) and enjoyable to listen to! One of your best so far!

Guido

[Author]

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