January 25 Challenge response – Denise & Misty

[Denise]

Hi

I nearly skipped this months’ challenge due to my January’s work schedule. I also struggled with the challenge task.
I found it difficult to be limited on 2 strings! Without a nice melody in my head it sounded boring. So I created a simple 8 bar shuffle rhythm in E underneath and played some rhythm based harmonies over it.

Actually I have just changed from the Windows world to a Mac computer (Mac mini M4 – for the price of a new Strat!!) and I am learning to work with LogicPro and iMovie. This recording is still with Ableton DAW.
(If you see no next month’s challenge post from me it will be 99% due to software issues).

I am looking forward to do your harmonized ideas.

Denise

More Blues!

[Jennifer D]

Oh well done Denise! That was great. I also found this challenging and ended up with really sore fingers, I suppose we’re just not used to it, but you managed seamlessly.

[Dermot M]

Great Job Denise. Well done. I would love to ask you a couple of questions about your Ableton recording setup. Message me if you get time. Thanks.

[charjo]

Great ideas, Denise. The ideas could totally be incorporated as part of a solo.
John

[JoeD1]

Nailed it!

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

[Bill]

Hey Denise, love that ‘Roadhouse Blues’ sound! Really well played, nice ideas and use of space around your phrasing.

Welcome to the Mac world. Don’t sleep on Garage Band! It’s free, has great amp sims, and is pretty intuitive. I’ve been using it for most of my challenges, when I don’t just use my phone mic 😝

[James B]

Well played, Denise. Nice mix of the harmonized sixths and single note lines with that driving back track. Have fun with your new computer set up.

James

[Manfred M]

I love the groove of your backing track, Denise. And you really succeeded to make your harmonized licks groovy too. This backing track has inspired you to some beautiful musical ideas.

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup will probably take place in July/August 2025

There will be a detailed announcement here in the forum in good time.

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[Martin W]

Hi Denise , I agree wasn’t an easy one this month , love the driving rhythm and those harmonies sound great played over it , you really let those notes hang with a subtle use of space . Superb tone as well just the right amount of break up .
Congrats on your new Mac a fine investment , which I’m sure you’ll soon get to grips with .

Martin

[AndréM]

Denise that sounds very good.
Your tone is awesome.
Well done.

AndréM

AndréM

[Dave O]

Very nice playing. Love the burgundy mist tele! Setup looks amazing and sound is great. Inspiring. Thanks!

It's all about the journey, not the destination.

https://soundcloud.com/david_ohm
https://www.bandmix.com/drwho/

[John H]

Denise
I love getting to you and seeing what you come up with. This is pretty “bad ass”. Great tone, great groove and you pull some great licks out from that gorgeous Tele. You are becoming quite creative as well. Always a pleasure. Thank you for the inspiration.

Well done,
John

[Michael L]

Hi Denise, can’t beat a good blues shuffle. You had some creative lines with those 6ths mixed with some single-note lines. It worked really well. Have fun with the new computer and software!

[Paul S.]

There is little evidence that you struggled with this… and I suppose that’s the point.

You stuck to the task and created a very lively and upbeat piece without coloring outside the lines. I think the shuffle idea was perfect for this and it was complemented by the great tone on that guitar. I’m also a big fan of harmonized sixths, so brava!

I suspect as well that you will scale the learning curve on the new software as easily as you did this challenge.

[Alan L]

Really nice bounce and groove. Harmonies fit In nicely.

[donmati]

Very nice, it’s amazing what you can do with just these two strings. you move around the neck easily, with very nice turnarounds. nice work.

[Catherine Arsenault]

Great playing Denise I too got MacBook M4 😧$$ and use Logic Pro I’ve been using an iPad for years so I decided to to upgrade. I really like Logic Pro although I’m still learning but learning is fun!! Loved your submission!!

[sunjamr]

OMG, were you hybrid picking that Denise? Big respect to you.

As for Logic Pro, I’ve been using it for almost 10 years, so I kind of know my way around in it. I have a cookbook list of tricks for Logic Pro which I made using Apple Notes. You may or may not find it useful, and if you are interested I would be happy to email it to you if you PM me. I describe some tricks you may want to know, such as how to import a jamtrack at, say, 120 BPM and convert it to 100 BPM. And how to use the Compressor effect in Logic. Etc etc etc.

Sunjamr Steve

[JoLa]

It’s hard to imagine you struggle with anything, Denise, you play with such ease and confidence!
You have created a very nice and catchy shuffle backtrack to play around with and with the added harmonies, the results are that of a seasoned blues player. Well done and congrats on your upcoming transition to MacWorld 🙂

🎸JoLa

[Dieter]

Very fine melodic playing.

Dieter

[Mike W]

I’m glad you did persevere with this Denise – it’s a cracker. Great music.

[Werner]

Hi Denise,

another wonderful submission from you, thank you very much.
Your guitar sounds awesome and you don´t seem to struggle at all!

Thank you,
Werner.

[Mark T]

That was a lovely performance, Denise – you actually came up with a beautiful and quite intricate melody, despite struggling with the challenge. I too had a lot of trouble finding something not too boring 👍🎶😎

I really hope you enjoy working with your Mac, Denise! I did find it a huge change when I moved from the world of Microsoft – which I did because I needed to break away from anything ‘work’ related when I retired, 9 years ago now 😲. It was a steep learning curve, but well worth the effort – and there are loads of resources out there (not least, on here 😊) to help if you need it ♥️♥️♥️

[Serena C]

Wow Denise! Superb submission! Nice ideas both in backing track and creative lead, congrats!

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)

[Reuben B]

You definitely nailed this challenge Denise (& Misty). Nice driving blues rhythm to accompany, and very gritty blues double-stop all over. And Just the perfect balance with some single-string improvs. If you struggle, I don’t see it, but that also mean you’ve pushed yourself and it definitely paid off. Great submission, I enjoyed it very much!

[Tremelow]

I am glad you still made it to the challenge Denise. Your Tele sounds phantastic and I really enjoyed what you played.

I had to chuckle when you said “for the price of a new Strat” – that’s the serious guitarist’s currency these days!

Good luck with the new Apple and Software. I could sing songs (mostly Blues) about dealing with those.

[Bob Utberg]

Great minds think alike Denise! Great choice on style. You nailed it – sounds awesome!!!

Bob U. (aka Bobby Ut)

[David H]

Denise – you never disappoint. Great stuff as always!

[Pap]

Denise,

You really sound great! You nailed this challenge and your playing just keeps getting better. Crafty composition using 2 & 4. Cheers. Pap

[Author]

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