July 2024 Challenge Response – Nick

[Nick M]

Good Friday morning from Thailand.

I listened to the backing track once through to figure out what the progression was first, but kept my improvising to one take. I quickly figured out it was a simple minor blues which I practice a lot. It has the VI in it which was something I wanted to try and get in my take.

Anyway here’s the video, annotated with what I’m thinking, hope you enjoy!

Nick

[Alan L]

Super tasty stuff. Pro level performance. Nice touch with the thought bubbles too 😜

[Michael L]

Nice Nick. I really like the chord stabs and some of the double-stops. Very well phrased too. A lesson for all of us.

[Juxi]

Very tasteful and interesting, Nick. I loved the beginning- great slide followed by double stops. Great runs, too. You kept me hooked. Great job 👏🏽 👍🏽

Bluesige Grüße
Juxi

[Dieter]

Fine bluesy feeling.

Dieter

[Bill]

Really nice Nick, with great tone and feel. Love the thought bubbles 🙂

[charjo]

Nick, true to form, your phrasing is beautiful. Very inspiring stuff.
John.

[Mike W]

Very professional, entertaining submission Nick – well done.

[Jennifer D]

So good I had to watch and listen again! Thank you Nick

[Laurel C]

That was the real deal and a walk in the park just to round it all off.

[Serena C]

Very soulful improvisation Nick! and thanks for sharing your creative process, that was very interesting!

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)

[Paul S.]

This was terrific! I like the way you mix it up with chords and riffs, and I especially appreciate the major 7ths, which I discovered myself AFTER I had made my video. I also like the way you varied between soft and loud and dirty playing.
Excellent. You should go to work for Quist.

[JoeD1]

Awesome Nick. That sounded pro quality to me. I could hear some BB and SRV in there. You done it good man.

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

[AndréM]

Played like a true blues men.
Pro stuff man.
I like your phrasing.

AndréM

AndréM

[Manfred M]

I would say: all the guitar gods were with you, Nick. Great inspired blues stuff, that you present in a relaxed but skillful way. On my side: only enjoyment!

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

[JoLa]

That was delightful, Nick! Loved reading your thoughts as you improvised.. your playing was so easy on the ears 😉
The jazzy runs and beautiful dynamics, the guitar gods were definitely with you, wish it didn’t end so soon!

🎸JoLa

[Don Patton jr]

Hi Nick !
Great timing and tempo in your leads! Excellent use of the Am pentatonic scale and it’s application! Great groove and some nice slides to enhance your improv. Very Nice 🎸🙂🎶

Don P

[Guido]

Wow, that sounds pro-level playing to my ears! In only one 12 bars cycle you put together brilliant and delightful phrases: your guitar really talks to the listener! Very interesting and fun bubbles too: great job!

Guido

[Martyn in France]

Beautifully played improvisation Nick. You are sounding like a very sophisticated guitarist with a very sure technique.

[Tom D]

An awesome performance Nick. Your opening slide signaled something cool was about to be laid down … and it was very cool. Loved your phrasings, punctuations, and rhythmic embellishments. Great playing. Cheers, Tom

[Scott M]

Pro playing through and through delivered with a wonderful sense of feel.Bravo Nick! 👏 👏 👏

[Bob Utberg]

Excellent Nick! Great spacing. Nice use of the whole fretboard. Great melodic lines. Played like a pro!

Bob U. (aka Bobby Ut)

[Richard W]

Nice Nick! Great playing and tone. Really dug a lot of those lines, you’ve obviously put in the work. I appreciated the running notes too.

[Livio M]

Hi Nick
Excellent improvisation, fluid and pleasant to listen to, you really have a good command of phrasing.

Livio

[John H]

Nick,
Wow! You really have a nice touch… phrasing, spacing, fluidity, melody lines all are AMAZING! Really inspiring. Thanks of the kind words too.

JH

[Bruce D]

That’s a nice take on this, Nick, and you’ve got some great tone out of the Tele.

Bruce

Just focus on the notes you DID get right . . . Frank Vignola

[Ken R]

Very Nice!!! i really like your note choices.

[Martin W]

Yep real nice that a fine mix of chord stabs and lead lines , love the slight break up in tone , you have a good command of the fretboard.

Martin

[Alan O]

Hi Nick! Dude, that was a top notch performance for a first take. I enjoyed the commentary you added as well!

Alan

[David H]

Great notes and your touch is the magic stuff. And you really nailed it when you brought it home. Most excellent!

[cloughie]

Loved that! Relaxed and groovy. Thanks for the thought process, which is invaluable. Too short. More next time please.

Be kind to yourself (especially when you're trying to play this instrument!)
Brian Clough

“Got a lotta sinful ideas but they seem kinda sensible” Jim Casy the ex-preacher in The Grapes Of Wrath

[Andy N]

That was one tasteful bluesy improv Nick.
Your phrasing was really cool and melodic. Especially liked that part over the FMaj7 and the take me home lick.
Thoroughly enjoyed your thought process too. “Looking around for the Guitar gods”, man, how many times have I done that 🤣.

[Mark T]

I really enjoyed this cool submission, Nick – some very accomplished playing with a terrific tone dialled in! Nicely performed 👍🎶😎

[Author]

Posts