July 2026 Challenge Response – Ben C

[Ben C]

Hi AMers

My July challenge response was inspired by my fiancée. Although she likes some music and has favourite bands, she often prefers to listen to study/chill music on YouTube or ambient sounds. Her most listened to ‘music’ on Spotify is rain sounds, which helps her (and me) sleep.

With this in mind, I chose to make this months submission similar to the YouTube videos she watches, and incorporated rain sounds and dreamy sounding chords for sleep. I utilised space in the first minute or so, opting not to solo over the top of my chosen chord progression. There is then space after this solo for the remainder of the piece, and it ends just with the rain sounds being played.

I really enjoyed the simplicity of this submission, and it was the complete opposite of what I came up with last month. Thanks all for watching

PS I made an AI video of my cat to go with this piece. I couldn’t help myself…

• This topic was modified 1 day, 16 hours ago by Ben C.

[AndréM]

Nice meditation vibe.
Great tone.
Love the rain.
Kool Kat.

AndréM

AndréM

[Ben C]

Thanks for watching, André 🙂

[Brendan G]

Plenty of space. Sounds great.
Top job.
Brendan

[Ben C]

Thanks Brendan

[sunjamr]

Way to go, Ben! Your partner has good taste in music. I had a similar idea about the ambient music having a lot of space. Nicely arranged and recorded.

Sunjamr Steve

[Ben C]

Thanks very much 🙂

[Denise]

oh fantastic!!!!!!
Great start with that relaxed major 7 rhythm and the rain sound.
Your cat is super sweet. I must admit that I also watch AI cat videos on YT.
That’s a super sweet melody you’re playing here.
What a great gift to your fiancee.
BRAVO!!!!!!!!

More Blues!

[Ben C]

Thanks Denise! Who says romance is dead, right 😂

[Martin W]

Hi Ben , this is just great , love the simplicity and the ambiance of the whole piece
Less is definitely more in this instance.
And the sound of rain !! Something we haven’t heard for a while , with this crazy summer.
I think your cat has fell into a meditative sleep listening…….nice touch with the video.

Martin

[Ben C]

Thanks Martin. Yeah perhaps this was unknowingly inspired by my longing for a heavy downpour haha. Thanks for checking it out

[Werner]

It’s a summer day at a forest lake… a daydream.

This “space” concept has been beautifully brought to life.

Thank you very much, Werner

[Ben C]

Thanks for your comment Werner! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching

[Mike W]

I don’t think I’ve heard such a relaxing piece of music before. Fortunately I didn’t nod off. It’s great to hear music/sounds that enhance the mood – well composed and played.

[Ben C]

Thanks very much Mike! Appreciate your comment 😁

[charjo]

So pretty, Ben. I love the repetition in your phrasing. Now your fiancee has a new ambient recording to fall asleep to.
I want to sleep like a cat.

John

[Ben C]

Thanks for watching John!

[wannaplayblues]

Great laid back feel and definitely something I could have on while working!

Great job!

"I hear you talkin' son, but you 'aint sayin' nothin'" - Will McFarlane quoting Muddy Waters hearing a really fast guitar player

[Ben C]

Thanks for watching! Appreciate it 😁

[Bill]

Really great concept and it sounds nice!
You just need 7 hour and 55 minutes more and you could have your own “cat napping peaceful guitar” Spotify channel 🙂

[Ben C]

Haha yup with adverts every 3 minutes to really ruin the vibe, but maximize ad revenue 🥲 I’m pretty sure that’s how they usually are 😂

Thanks for watching

[Bill]

😹

[JoeD1]

Really smooth and peaceful.

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

[Scott W]

That was nice, very peacefully, and well done.

[James B]

Nice work putting this together, Ben. Creative and relaxing composition. Played and arranged very well.

James

[Alan L]

Nailed the vibe! Really beautiful. Reminds me of a Satie piano piece I used to play:

[Ben C]

I love this piece. One of my favourites!

[Michael L]

Hi Ben, so creative and enjoyable. Love the rain.

[Ben C]

Thanks for watching!

[JoLa]

Oh, that was just so lovely, Ben! What a great inspiration, it is not often that we hear an ambient/relaxing music like that here on AM, your fiancée must have loved it, didn’t she?!?

🎸JoLa

[Ben C]

She did! Can’t say I’m one for love songs so this is the best she’s getting haha. Thanks for watching

[Michael Krailo]

Great job Ben, that is a stark contrast to what I have been playing lately. I can’t believe how close it sounds to that piano piece that Alan L posted.

Go slow and practice correct technique, and your abilities will dramatically improve.

[Ben C]

Thanks Michael. Yeah definitely a different vibe to what I’m used to but great fun to write/play

[Wayne Nunez]

What a great ambiant performance totally awesome wish I could see you playing this! Pretty Cat though

[Ben C]

Thanks Wayne. Thank you for watching!

[Manfred M]

There’s always something enchanting about these rain songs, Ben. You really nailed it. Very atmospheric and captivating. As I listen to your guitar and the sound of the rain, I can’t help but think of “Riders on the Storm”—another enchanting rain song.

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom.
The next Meetup will take place in October

There will be a detailed announcement here in the forum a few weeks before.

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[Catherine Arsenault]

That was an awesome and relaxing submission very smooth and warm well done you certainly used your spaces the right way!!

[Author]

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