July 2024 Challenge – Tom D

[Tom D]

Hello AM Guitarists,
On most Saturdays I visit one of my older brothers for coffee and some acoustic guitar. And almost every time we improvise two blues jams with me playing the rhythm on an E blues, and playing the lead on an A blues. So I’m very familiar with noodling over an A blues (including minor). This challenge worked well for low stress and low time investment in a month that included vacationing at the beach and enjoying the Paris Olympics.

I did some pre-work that included checking out the track and progression and identifying spots on the neck that are fertile. For me that approach made the most sense for both learning something and participating in the challenge. I otherwise noodle all the time and always conclude it would be smarter to do just a little pre-work. As a case in point, in early July I was invited by a band to get on a bar stage late in the evening and “try some solos” over a few songs. I’m comfortable to give it a go and did ok yet vowed after to get better at quickly figuring out the key, progression, and scale “containers”. Yet for all that, I recorded this in one take and in an improvised style as prescribed, but decided to trim the first minute and 45 seconds to make it shorter and cut some inevitable meandering.

Thanks for listening and for your comments. I’m very interested to hear your blues in A minor! Cheers, Tom

[Richard G]

I think a full glass of red always helps those recording nerves, however you didn’t need any help in that respect Tom, your submission had all the hallmarks of a relaxed and meaningful solo which complemented the Quist backing track.

Richard

[Tom D]

Thanks Richard. While I’m definitely a “whiner” the Paris Olympics reminded me to open a bottle of champagne and make some black velvets (a blend of champagne and stout). A nice way to pay tribute to the French and find guitar inspiration (recognizing not everyone will approve of that delicious champagne consumption approach😂). Santé, Tom

[Jennifer D]

Oh Yes that was beautiful!

[Don Patton jr]

Hi Tom !
You played with a lot of heart and soul !
Nicely played off tempo lead runs with space to breath ! Pleasant to listen to !🎶💯🙂

Don P

[donmati]

Beautiful mastery of scales, beautiful emotions in this improvisation.

[John H]

Tom
Tasty and soulful. Could listen to you all day.

John

[Catherine Arsenault]

Wow Tom great playing on that guitar!!! What is it? Really enjoyed your submission and I’m watching the Olympics as well.

[Tom D]

Thanks Catherine! This guitar is a B&G Little Sister. It’s got a mahogany body and neck, maple top, Brazilian rosewood fretboard, 12” fretboard radius, and P90 pickups. It’s very comfortable to play. Learned about B&G guitars through Brian – he’s got a couple. Hope you enjoy the Olympics. They’re a great source of fun and inspiration. Take care, Tom

[JoeD1]

That was really cool Tom. I loved the variety of techniques and how you used them. Bends, Hamer-ons, pull-offs, trills, everything was just so tasty. This was a very easy and enjoyable listen.

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

[Livio M]

Bravissimo Tom

Fluent and confident phrasing, you demonstrate great confidence with the fretboard and the expressive techniques of the electric guitar. I’m very sorry that I don’t have a brother to play blues with.

Livio

[Tom D]

Thanks very much Livio. I’m thankful for my four brothers and also grateful for everyone in the AM community as we share our musical passion! 🙏🏻 Tom

[Mike W]

Excellent music as usual Tom, inventive and played with great technique and tone.

[Juxi]

I am not sure if that glass really had some coffee in it, Tom, but that surely was some very fine acoustic blues 😊
you can be glad to have a big brother to jam with – did he teach you how to play so well? (I am a big brother too, we are always the best in everything 😊😉😬).

Bluesige Grüße
Juxi

[Tom D]

Thanks Juxi. You’re right! Rather than coffee I wanted to pay tribute to France as they host the Olympics by featuring a champagne drink. So I was making Black Velvets. Separately, having two younger and two older brothers I find no problem with your ”big brother” logic😂. Take care, Tom

[AndréM]

Great improv man.
You have great muscle to pull those bends on the acoustic.
Nice rakes too.
I’m glad to hear that you played with a band.

AndréM

AndréM

[Michael L]

Hi Tom, I just loved listening to this! Some great classic blues lines, and such feel in your playing. Your experience shines here. One of my favorites this month! Did you find that run-away guitar strap?!

[Tom D]

Hey Michael – your comment cracked me up🤣. I hate losing a guitar strap in a performance! Cheers, Tom

[Paul S.]

At some point in a guitarist’s life he/she reaches a point where it is no longer about the fingering or the scales but instead it’s about the expression of a feeling. That is obviously where you are — springboarding from the mechanics into playing to tell a story or make us feel a certain way. I suppose a big glass of wine helps, too. This is great music.

[Tom D]

Thanks Paul for your kind encouragement. I appreciate your playing and influence. Cheers, Tom

[Nick M]

Great job Tom! You have some real tasty licks and runs under your fingers and I loved your phrasing. You have the technique down and I felt you did a great job telling a bluesy story with your submission.

Nick

[JoLa]

I second what Paul said above 💯
There’s a difference between a guitar player and a musician, you’re definitely the latter, Tom. It’s all about the music and the expression, just as you demonstrated here. What can I say other than thank you for this beautiful soulful music you played for us! I wouldn’t even be able to figure out what and how you did it but I know that I enjoyed every second of it. And you’re so lucky to be able to play with your brother regularly, cheers to that! 🍷🍷

🎸JoLa

[Serena C]

I also thought what Paul and JoLa said, Tom! those notes are so expressive, more like singing than simply playing! I will study your vibrato technique for sure!

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)

[Dieter]

Very soulful playing.

Dieter

[charjo]

Like Paul said, that moved beyond the scales into the feeling. I had the same impression with Paul’s submission and it gives me some inspiration for something to work toward.
On the technical side, I did like the way you highlighted the IV chord. Always a pleasure, Tom.
John

[Andy N]

Fabulous Tom. You wrung every drop of emotion out of every phrase you played there. It had a real Peter Green feel to it for me and I could have listened all day, especially if there was a bottle of red on hand 🍷

[Tom D]

Thanks Andy! I think that with our common appreciation for guitar and wine we (and other AM members) would enjoy a guitar jam. We should keep that in mind should our travels bring us in proximity at some time! Cheers, Tom

[Alan L]

Lots of great licks and techniques in there Tom. Some tasty note choices outside the pentatonic. Loved it!

[Guido]

Beautiful improvisation brilliantly played, Tom! Your phrasing was just a pleasure for the ears and your finger picking technique just spotless, very dynamic and soulful. Very interesting and fascinating guitar too, it looks like a classical guitar with P90 pickups or something like that, really unique!

Guido

[Tom D]

Thanks Guido. I always appreciate your comments. This Guitar is a beauty and is a B&G custom build (see details above in response to Catherine). I need to play this more often! Cheers, Tom

[Bill]

Hey Tom, really nice and soulful playing here. As others have said, you can really express the mood with your fingers.

[Martyn in France]

This so beautiful Tom, proper music that’s really easy to listen to.

[Manfred M]

It‘s always special to listen to your challenge contributions, Tom. Some kind of musical adventure with a very personal charisma. The same this time. This was really a musical highlight.

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]

Like everyone else has said Tom! Played brilliantly!! So cool you jam with your Bro on Saturdays over coffee. Like Paul said so well, it’s more about the passion one plays versus just the notes or scales. Awesome stuff. Go TEAM USA. And all the athletes from around the world. I love the story with St. Lucia getting its first EVER medal in any Olympics – and it was GOLD! JULIEN ALFRED will NEVER have to pay for another meal on her homeland. Peace my friend and keep playing – love to listen to your wonderful comps!

Bob U. (aka Bobby Ut)

[Werner]

That is a good one, Tom, a very soulful interpretation, especially on an acoustic guitar. Well done!

So, back to the Olympics everybody.
Go Team Germany!

Werner

[Gary W]

Ahh well played Tom, you had the drained wine glass & in my mind there was smoke & a darkened room also. Oh and maybe the sound of a broken heart somewhere in the wings :-).

Very well played.

Gary

[Martin W]

Hi Tom , I like your approach to this similar to my own , making a mental map of things makes perfect sense, your improv really tells a story and keeps the listener engaged, you hit some wonderful note choices in the right areas , the p90s on your B&G sound superb I like that slight break up when you dig in a bit .
Excellent post enjoyed it a lot .

Martin

[Richard W]

Great stuff, Tom. Some super tasty quick little blues runs in there. Man, that Little Sister sounds great played finger style like that.

[Tremelow]

That was some top-notch playing, Tom! I couldn’t figure out some of the things you did on the fretboard, it must have been something very advanced. It all sounded great and I could have listened to it much longer.

[Laurel C]

Expressive quality blues on a quality guitar. Although I couldn’t see your right hand movements, I was intrigued on your fingers to the strings to get a finger/pick hybrid approach. ✅ Cheers to the Olympics, too.

[David H]

Tom, great write up. Thank you for taking the time, I am glad you did. So you did this acoustic, not electric. Wow! Am blown away.

[Scott M]

Hey Tom I’ve always been a huge fan of your playing, this improv is a great showcase of your diverse and impressive skillset. Hope you love your B&G as much as I do mine. Really well played!

[Denise]

Very soulful/bluesy improvising with much feel. Using all positions on the neck. I like the sweet hammer ons😊 It was a pleasure to listen.
We’re also watching the Olympics here. Unfortunately the Swiss didn’t win many medals yet.
I love Champagne and Bordeaux. French wine is the best.
Denise

More Blues!

[Mark T]

Oh yeah, loved the feel of this one, Tom – more of this please 👍🎶😎

[Author]

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