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July 2026 Challenge Response – Mike W

Home › Forums › Active Melody Member Challenge Response Submissions › July 2026 Challenge Response – Mike W

  • This topic has 36 replies, 20 voices, and was last updated 1 hour, 4 minutes ago by John H.
Viewing 19 reply threads
  • Author
    Posts
    • August 14, 2026 at 2:42 am #420497
      Mike W
      Participant

        Good day to you all,

        This challenge was to incorporate meaningful space into a composition, which I found to be a harder task than it first sounds. I decided to model a piece on EP210, which did incorporate quite a lot of space. My plan was to play the lesson (with some changes) and then to improvise following the same chords. I slowed the backing track a little to try to accentuate the spaces. The chord sequence is a bit unusual, so I had to list them out so that I could follow them when improvising.
        To be honest, I think I failed on the space aspect but liked this particular take anyway, I hope you do as well. I had a bit of problem with the sound levels of the backing and the lead – the only time I got it right was when the improv section didn’t work.
        I’m looking forward to seeing the other submissions.
        Here’s the link

      • August 14, 2026 at 2:50 am #420499
        Richard G
        Participant

          A great melody Mike and certainly calmly well played, it had that serene luxuriant feel to it.

          Richard

          • August 15, 2026 at 2:12 pm #420931
            Mike W
            Participant

              Many thanks Richard.

          • August 14, 2026 at 3:02 am #420502
            Brendan G
            Participant

              I agree with Richard.
              I really like it.

              • August 15, 2026 at 2:12 pm #420932
                Mike W
                Participant

                  Many thanks Brendan,

              • August 14, 2026 at 4:36 am #420518
                Werner
                Participant

                  Really very melodic guitar playing. I like that a lot. It reminds me a little of “The Shadows.”

                  Thank you very much, Werner

                  • August 15, 2026 at 2:13 pm #420933
                    Mike W
                    Participant

                      Thanks Werner, I consider that any similarity to the Shadows (no matter how slight) to be a great compliment.

                  • August 14, 2026 at 5:36 am #420560
                    charjo
                    Moderator

                      Nicely played, Mike. Good ear on the improv, it sounded just as melodic as Brian’s.
                      The mix sounded fine to me.
                      John

                      • August 15, 2026 at 2:14 pm #420934
                        Mike W
                        Participant

                          Many thanks John, that’s praise indeed.

                      • August 14, 2026 at 7:25 am #420583
                        JoeD1
                        Participant

                          I heard plenty of space in there Mike. Nice job!

                          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

                          • August 15, 2026 at 2:15 pm #420935
                            Mike W
                            Participant

                              Many thanks Joe.

                          • August 14, 2026 at 8:31 am #420592
                            Denise
                            Participant

                              Very soulful lead over that beautiful Brian’s track.

                              More Blues!

                              • August 15, 2026 at 2:15 pm #420936
                                Mike W
                                Participant

                                  Many thanks Denise, glad you liked it.

                              • August 14, 2026 at 9:49 am #420605
                                Scott W
                                Participant

                                  Space or not very soulful, nice to listen to. It flows very well. I enjoy it.

                                  • August 15, 2026 at 2:16 pm #420937
                                    Mike W
                                    Participant

                                      Many thanks Scott – I’m glad you enjoyed it.

                                  • August 14, 2026 at 11:04 am #420615
                                    AndréM
                                    Participant

                                      Tiny spaces counts Mike lol.
                                      I don’t remember hearing this EP before.
                                      Very sweet and melodic.

                                      AndréM

                                      AndréM

                                      • August 15, 2026 at 2:16 pm #420938
                                        Mike W
                                        Participant

                                          Many thanks Andre.

                                      • August 14, 2026 at 11:46 am #420625
                                        James B
                                        Participant

                                          Great choice, Mike. Lovely melody and your playing is smooth and soulful.

                                          James

                                          • August 15, 2026 at 2:17 pm #420939
                                            Mike W
                                            Participant

                                              Many thanks for your kind words James.

                                          • August 14, 2026 at 12:14 pm #420635
                                            Alan L
                                            Participant

                                              Nothing wrong with that! A beautiful, heartfelt performance. I think there is plenty of breathing room in there.

                                              • August 15, 2026 at 2:18 pm #420940
                                                Mike W
                                                Participant

                                                  Many thanks for your kind words Alan.

                                              • August 14, 2026 at 2:28 pm #420675
                                                Michael L
                                                Participant

                                                  Hi Mike, this sounds really great! Very melodic lead with some nice improv sections. Very enjoyable!

                                                  • August 15, 2026 at 2:18 pm #420941
                                                    Mike W
                                                    Participant

                                                      Many thanks Michael, I’m glad you enjoyed it.

                                                  • August 14, 2026 at 4:37 pm #420712
                                                    sunjamr
                                                    Participant

                                                      Nice one, Mike. I’ve been thinking that “space” comes in different lengths. It can last anywhere from half a bar to 20+ bars, for example. So what you have here is a composition with lots of “mini-spaces”, which gives it a really chill attitude.

                                                      Sunjamr Steve

                                                      • August 15, 2026 at 2:19 pm #420942
                                                        Mike W
                                                        Participant

                                                          Many thanks Steve.

                                                      • August 14, 2026 at 10:39 pm #420754
                                                        JoLa
                                                        Participant

                                                          Mike, you have picked a perfect lesson for this space challenge! Yes, it had plenty of room to breathe and that’s what made it so relaxing. Your improvisation was well measured and kept flowing with the backing track very nicely. I am with you on the recording challenge, one thing being perfect and then something else fails, and in the end the final submission is always a compromise of what we had actually intended. I know that scenario all too well 😉

                                                          🎸JoLa

                                                          • August 15, 2026 at 2:19 pm #420943
                                                            Mike W
                                                            Participant

                                                              Thanks for your kind words Jola.

                                                          • August 15, 2026 at 8:12 am #420821
                                                            Wayne Nunez
                                                            Participant

                                                              Nice job mike really love your soulful playing one of my favorite styles,sound great!

                                                              • August 15, 2026 at 2:20 pm #420944
                                                                Mike W
                                                                Participant

                                                                  Many thanks Wayne, I’m pleased that you like it.

                                                              • August 15, 2026 at 8:34 am #420827
                                                                Martin W
                                                                Participant

                                                                  Nice lesson choice , I think this one has a very subtle and effective use of space
                                                                  You play the original so well and the added improv flowed along with the same melodic theme , hitting those chord tones .
                                                                  The mix came through fine , but I’m with you on the technical side of things it can be a pain sometimes and quite challenging in itself!

                                                                  Martin

                                                                  • August 15, 2026 at 2:21 pm #420945
                                                                    Mike W
                                                                    Participant

                                                                      Many thanks Martin, I’m pleased that you liked it.

                                                                  • August 15, 2026 at 9:45 am #420864
                                                                    Catherine Arsenault
                                                                    Participant

                                                                      Mike I truly enjoyed your submission it’s was wonderful!!

                                                                      • August 15, 2026 at 2:22 pm #420946
                                                                        Mike W
                                                                        Participant

                                                                          That’s very kind Catherine, thank you.

                                                                      • August 15, 2026 at 9:57 am #420873
                                                                        Manfred M
                                                                        Participant

                                                                          Wow, Mike, one thing is for sure: you really let this wonderful melody breathe beautifully here.
                                                                          And because it sounds so beautiful, your use of space must be just right. That’s the conclusion I’ve come to.
                                                                          I definitely really liked it.

                                                                          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

                                                                          • August 15, 2026 at 2:24 pm #420947
                                                                            Mike W
                                                                            Participant

                                                                              Many thanks Manfred, I’m really glad you liked it. I admire your logic – I hadn’t thought about it like that.

                                                                          • August 15, 2026 at 2:38 pm #420952
                                                                            sciencefiction
                                                                            Participant

                                                                              Well played, Mike. You really nailed that. And your second half with the extras was great, fitting perfectly with Brian’s.
                                                                              Larry

                                                                            • August 15, 2026 at 3:06 pm #420960
                                                                              John H
                                                                              Participant

                                                                                MIke
                                                                                So well performed. One of your best yet! Like Charjo said, the mix and phrasing was spot on. Really enjoyable my friend.

                                                                                John

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