July 2026 Challenge Response – Bill

[Bill]

Space…the final frontier.

I did spend a brief time thinking I would learn the theme from Star Trek for this challenge (I should still learn it anyway), but ended up going a very different route.

Last weekend I took a class about harmonizing the Blues scale and got inspired. I started playing around with a minor blues pattern aka Chitlins Con Carne, but then started throwing in a #V-V on the turnaround (a move I see a lot in Django tunes). Then I got this drumbeat plugged into GarageBand and it all sort of came together.

General premise is to develop a theme, play two cycles as an improvised lead with space, and then revisit the theme for the out. Basically: make a song.

I had some fun with this and look forward to checking everyone else’s submissions.

[Ben C]

I love this vibe of this! Nicely done

[charjo]

Cool sound, daddyo. Now I want to go back in time and become a beatnik.
Just one question, how do you play A minor in C minor😉? If anyone can do it, it’s you, Bill.
John

[Bill]

That’s interesting Beatnick came to mind for you. I dont Think it would have been in the top 100 words if you asked me to describe this. Ha.

I like the word play of minor being a little thing and also a tonality. 🙂

[Richard G]

Interesting vibe Bill, expertly played with a variety of subtle chord sequences. The vibrato certainly gave it a definite haunted feel.

Richard

[JoeD1]

Very different and entertaining Bill. 😎 Cool tone too.

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

[Mike W]

I thought this had quite a spooky feel – perhaps a Hitchcock sound track. This vibe was enhanced by your black/white video and also the bottom left of the thumbnail. Great music and also space – as required.

[Werner]

Thank you very much for this piece. I admit, it took me a little while to get used to it at first. But it turned out to be very interesting and entertaining.

Werner

[James B]

Really cool, Bill. Loved your tone and the lighting added to the mysterious vibe of the piece. A bit avant-garde musically for us 1 4 5 pickers, but you’re in a league of your own and it’s a pleasure to hear you play..

James

[Michael Krailo]

Those chord stabs at 1:32 and 1:37 sounded perfect.

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

[Michael L]

Hi Bill, 1960s TV detective theme? Well, loved it no matter what it sounded like. That #V-V is a nice vibe, I’ll have to try that out. Really appreciate your creativity!

[Bill]

Or if they do another reboot of Dexter? I could see this playing under opening credits to something like that or a detective show.

Definitely try that turnaround out, adds some color for sure!

[Alan L]

Good stuff, good vibes 😎 I like the call and response elements. (Chord/lick)

[sunjamr]

Very cool, loved it Bill! I thought I detected a hint of vibrato in there……good idea.

Sunjamr Steve

[AndréM]

For a minute I thought you were going microtonal lol
Very nice and very different from what I heard so far.

AndréM

AndréM

[Brendan G]

All I can say is nice vibe.

[Denise]

I like how you experiment with other styles, especially with jazzy chords. Great backing track. Did you also play the rhythm yourself? I guess you did. Very mysterious sounding! 1:33 – 1:37: great movement!
I love that repetitive turnaround and these quick slides. Nice vibe with the tremolo effect.
Keep on posting out of the box guitar styles.

More Blues!

[Author]

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