July 2022 Challenge Response (January reprise) — Paul S.

[Paul S.]

For the purpose of lowering everyone’s expectations, I have included in the first 1:49 minutes a clip from my January submission which taught me to lose my fear of looking like an idiot while playing guitar. (With the help of my wife, I had already gotten used to looking like an idiot in many other of life’s pursuits.) The second half of this video is my recent effort and, to my surprise, is better than the January piece.

A technical note: I restrung my Martin just before making this recording. That is probably what is responsible for most of the improvement.

[Don Patton jr]

Paul
I definitely thought your timing, tempo and pick control improved over 6 months!
You picked a challenging blue grass composition, with a difficult tempo and did a really good job 👍

Don P

[Tim Read]

Wow there’s loads of progress there Paul…every element sound better the rhythm of your strumming and picking is more steady and bothers melody notes and then chords fragments are clearer…great work. I like your comment about the gentler strumming – you’re right it sound so much more like your in control.

TimR

[Anonymous]

Hey Paul, definitely notice better picking control in the second video but honestly, they both sound really good to me. Nicely done.👍

[Lights]

Now you knock me out with your last version, mind blowing finger style.
Lights.

[John H]

Paul-
I love this style of guitar… you nail this and play it exceptionally well. Love it. Your updated version is fuller and more mid-rangy sounding. I truly love this… thanks for sharing. Did you write this? Does it have a name? Please PM me and give me the details.

JH

[Paul S.]

Thanks, John. I did make it up (wouldn’t call it “writing,”) It has no name and no two versions are exactly alike. There are also a couple other variations I didn’t include in this recording because I was trying to limit the number of mistakes.

[Livio M]

Hey Paul
It is definitely better than January and the performance is beautifully with fast but clear phrasing.
A great job!

Livio

[James B]

Big difference, Paul. You cleaned that up nicely. You’re ready to play with the fiddler. Can’t beat new strings, especially on a Martin.

James

[Phil B]

Wow those new strings make a big difference to the tone. Massive improvement.

[Michael L]

Yeehaa!! Paul, you’ve got this one kickin’! Really well played. Smooth, the melody comes through, good tempo and control. You give me something to strive toward.

[sunjamr]

Way to go Paul! Actually, your first version was way better bluegrass style than I’ve ever been able to play. But yes, the latest video is definitely more accurate than the first, plus the recording quality is a lot better.

Sunjamr Steve

[AndréM]

Man Paul that is a tough one at that speed.
Awesome performance.
I like the July one.
New stings sounds good.
Two things comes to mind, Bluegrass, an old English dance.

AndréM

AndréM

[Garry]

Yes, we’re all six months older Paul 😉 and ‘Wow’ this is some hot 🔥 playing. Don’t use the new strings for the reason, it’s the hours of dedication you’ve put in and it’s definitely worth it. Your finest performance to date in my book! 👏👏👏 On a side note. I feel like I need to apologise to you for my Challenge! In January I posed the question of whether I should use the same backing track for my impro and you were the only one to answer my question. You wanted the same backing track but hear me out please! I tried soloing over the original track a number of times but I kept playing similar licks and it just sounded the same. I didn’t feel I was challenging myself so I’ve picked a similar sounding backing track and in a different key. Hope you don’t hold it against me! It’s funny because as I was playing I was think ‘What’s Paul going to think?’ Anyway it’s all done now. All the best! 🥸🎸🥸

[Martin W]

Like your quote “ I’m six months older and so are you “ made me chuckle .
Wow what a difference in so much more detail love those bass fills it’s a great tune and style to get under your fingers, and you can talk whilst playing that goes to show how comfortable you are with it .
Really enjoyed this ,your practice has paid off

Martin

[Manfred M]

Where do you get these selfplaying strings, who are responsible for this improvement, Paul. If they are not selfplaying, it must be you, who makes the difference, and it‘s a huge one. Great speed, great accuracy. I enjoyed listening very much!

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup is expected to take place in November 2025

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

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[Bob Utberg]

Holy Cow Batman!!! BEST YET FROM YOU Paul!!! And, I am half way through the other subs: By far the best improvement from January to July overall! Way to go my friend! That is stage ready to perform! CONGRATS!

Bob U. (aka Bobby Ut)

[Carpa]

Clear progress, well done

[Tom D]

Wow Paul, you played that so well both times. Still, there’s evidence of solid improvement in your July version (if not, I’d like to get a set of the strings you put on:-). I liked hearing your insight that playing softer gave you more control. I experience something similar if it relaxes my right hand and arm. You’ve got great skill in this style and inspire me to give it a try. Merci.

Cheers, Tom

[JoLa]

Both versions are mind blowing to me, Paul! The July recording definitely sounds better which may partially have to do with new strings or the camera closeup but I’m pretty sure it is rather due to hours and days of practice 🙂

🎸JoLa

[Juxi]

Well, I do not know about your other pursuits in life, Paul, but you definitely did not look like an idiot while playing guitar – neither in January nor in July. 😃 I already was impressed with your speed and control in January and July even tops this. Of course, your tone is much better, but I think you also made nearly no mistakes in July (not that I could detect any mistakes by myself, but when YOU think you made a mistake, you shake your head slightly – and there are much less head-shakes in the July version). 😊
Do not be too hard on yourself, this really was great!

Bluesige Grüße
Juxi

[Serena C]

Impressive performance Paul! Amazing! Your right hand is so fast and precise and so well in coordination with the left one!

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)

[Pap]

Paul, that was fantastic flat picking guitar! I love it and thought you nailed it. Good advice on playing softer. Also I like the looseness on the pick so it moves across the strings fluidly. One cannot appreciate what you have just done unless they have tried it. I have a great appreciation for what you just did. Absolutely incredible man! Nice work. Pap

[Laurel C]

That was impressive flatpicking, this is a skill on its own and to be consistent at it for any length of time takes endurance and accuracy. You need to find a Bluegrass band or jam or both.

[Reuben B]

Very nice flatpicking. Definite improvement from last submission, sounds like it’s well worth the effort. And that Martin sounds great.

[FergalT]

Wow – some improvement, I’m particularity impressed with the pinky hammer-ons.
Groovy tune too… I’ve given it a few listens and love it.

I also think you could have a career in comedy!

[Author]

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