Active Melody

Learn to play blues guitar.

  • Log In
  • Weekly Lessons
  • Take The Tour
  • Forum
  • Hear From Our Members
  • Membership Sign Up

June 2019 Challenge Response – Tremelow

Home › Forums › Active Melody Member Challenge Response Submissions › June 2019 Challenge Response – Tremelow

Tagged: Phil B

  • This topic has 20 replies, 21 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 12 months ago by kubrider.
Viewing 19 reply threads
  • Author
    Posts
    • June 30, 2019 at 8:05 am #136890
      Tremelow
      Participant

        As ususal, the challenge was a great learning experienc and a lot of fun at the same time. Also as usual, I got completely messed up with my time management, so what you are about to hear is an impromptu improvisation. Only the first 8 notes are what I had planned to play. Initially, I wanted to make an original composition, where I change between major and minor, just like the lesson suggested. I had the intro (ie the first 8 notes) down in no time, but then ran into problems, because a part in the backing track didn’t correspond to C or Aminor. I lost too much time trying to figure it out and I didn’t want to listen to Brian’s composition because I didn’t want to get influenced.

        What I learned:
        I need to get faster at deciding on a sequence of notes that I want to put into the composition. Trying out different licks was great and I am sure it helped me in getting better aquainted with the fretboard. But I spent too much time with experimentation.
        This morning I was still trying to figure something out, but too late. Eventually, I decided to improvise based on the Aminor pentatonic scale, using patterns 1, 2, 4, and 5.

        Anyway, this is it. I hope you still find something in there that you like.

      • June 30, 2019 at 9:22 am #136918
        James B
        Participant

          Nice job Tremelow, I can relate to your indecision about what to play. Try this, try that and end up scraping it all. Yep, I can relate. But you found some nice phrases in there.

          James

        • June 30, 2019 at 10:12 am #136930
          Richard S
          Participant

            Well played Trem. We can all relate to freezing at what to play.
            Am pentatonic works as it is the Cmaj pentatonic scale. It all works except that pesky Bbsus2. When analyzed the progression is really in key of F making the C the 5th. That then opens up the fretboard to Cmixolydian which gives the piece a new flavor.

            Richard S

            • June 30, 2019 at 11:21 pm #137252
              Jeff F
              Participant

                Yes that Bb had me puzzled a bit until somebody told me in was C myx. Nicely done 👍🏼

            • June 30, 2019 at 10:29 am #136940
              bluesheki
              Participant

                A tasty interpretation, like it.
                My rule is, everything that sounds good is good.
                And your improvisation is nice.

                Bluesheki

              • June 30, 2019 at 12:21 pm #136961
                WBlues
                Participant

                  Of course, I find some things that I like and like; in fact, everything was quite useful (as James said), and I believe in your sounds to have recognized your thoughts. First, you do everything right if you do not listen to the original often. You are free in your improvisation. The second step, which you have already described, is to study the backing racket; until the first loop. One point I solve differently. I do not want to serve major and minor necessarily. I adjust my basic pattern; major or minor. What I like better right now (minor maybe). When I then develop my ideas, I try to insert major (depending on what I have preselected). As already said here; everything that sounds good is good (Bluesheki).
                  However, many roads lead to Rome. Overall, I really liked your approaches and ideas. I think that’s how improvisation begins. Well done Kevin!

                  Play guitar just like you live; don't get bogged down in theory, it's just a tool without feeling.

                  Wilfried

                • June 30, 2019 at 12:49 pm #136971
                  Lights
                  Participant

                    Nice improvisations ‘ol buddy and sounds well indeed.

                  • June 30, 2019 at 3:41 pm #137035
                    sunjamr
                    Participant

                      Don’t beat yourself up, Trem. That was very good. I agree with Bluesheki – if it sounds good, it is good. And what you played sounded good. You did ramble a bit toward the end, but the rambling was all within the allowable framework. That’s just the way improv goes for most of us.

                      Sunjamr Steve

                    • June 30, 2019 at 4:04 pm #137048
                      JoLa
                      Participant

                        Yeah, I also think this was good and melodic, Tremelow. It’s a higher skill to be able to noodle impromptu and come up with meaningful phrases and yet you did just that. And with this soothing tone, I could listen to it for hours 🙂

                        🎸JoLa

                      • June 30, 2019 at 4:45 pm #137071
                        Tim Lee
                        Participant

                          Trem,
                          Great tone and you had some super good phrases in there. I find it’s tough to put it all together also so you’re not the only one. Really enjoyed it!
                          Tim

                        • June 30, 2019 at 5:57 pm #137112
                          snakechisler
                          Participant

                            Some nice phrases

                            I tend to always learn the lesson and if I get the time construct round it or deconstruct phrases into my stuff.

                            The lesson has some great signature licks in there to work round

                            My opinion hope it helps nice contribution enjoyed it

                          • June 30, 2019 at 6:27 pm #137134
                            Scott M
                            Participant

                              Solid rendition, tasty runs and bends delivered with a real sense of feel. Great stuff Trem!

                              Scott

                            • June 30, 2019 at 6:33 pm #137140
                              Bernard R
                              Participant

                                That was a very good piece of improvisation. Well done!

                                I wouldn’t get to hung up on use of minor or major notes. If we simply incorporate notes around the basic minor pentatonic scale, we’ll stumble on major notes and natural minor notes etc. Just go for what sounds good, and don’t let the theory drive your playing.
                                Thanks
                                Bernard

                              • June 30, 2019 at 8:33 pm #137189
                                Hide (ひで)
                                Participant

                                  I do think you have several very good ideas here. But I agree, deciding what to play when doesn’t come easy (for me for sure). And the tone is good. I like it!

                                  Hidetada Shimizu

                                • July 1, 2019 at 1:14 am #137282
                                  Dieter
                                  Participant

                                    very laid back playing.

                                    Dieter

                                  • July 1, 2019 at 11:46 am #137402
                                    Brian
                                    Keymaster

                                      Nice improvising – I enjoyed that.

                                    • July 1, 2019 at 12:36 pm #137419
                                      Don D.
                                      Moderator

                                        Kevin, that was great! I think that was the best I’ve ever heard you playing, you’re really running away with it.

                                        Don D.

                                      • July 2, 2019 at 11:44 am #137596
                                        Dave K
                                        Participant

                                          Nice and mellow with a some really cool licks in there. You played it well and kept your improv interesting.

                                        • July 3, 2019 at 11:13 am #137705
                                          Phil B
                                          Participant

                                            I really liked this. I do think that if you can hum the tune then it should help you to play it. So I try to listen as many time as I can to the track (or just the backing track) until the melody is in my head. I find this helps me with timing and coming up with ideas that I can then practise.

                                          • July 3, 2019 at 4:19 pm #137720
                                            Gary W
                                            Participant

                                              I really enjoyed that – give yourself more credit. That was a fine improv and the tone was beautiful.
                                              Gary

                                            • July 4, 2019 at 5:24 pm #137827
                                              kubrider
                                              Participant

                                                Kevin I think you have the right idea, trial and error. Over time hopefully it’ll become more natural for us. I thought your “off the cuff” improv was quite good.
                                                Rob

                                            • Author
                                              Posts
                                            Viewing 19 reply threads
                                            • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
                                            Log In

                                            Search Forums

                                            Quick Links

                                            • Latest posts
                                            • Most popular posts
                                            • Posts Freshness
                                            • Posts with most replies
                                            • My active posts
                                            • All my posts
                                            • Posts with my reply

                                            Links

                                            • Blog
                                            • Resources
                                            • About
                                            • Contact
                                            • FAQ
                                            • Refunds & Cancellations
                                            • Sitemap

                                            Recent Lessons

                                            Improvise a Ragtime Blues lead PLUS a fingerstyle rhythm – Guitar Lesson – EP613

                                            Classic Blues by yourself (on acoustic or electric guitar) – Full of Blues lick ideas – Guitar Lesson EP612

                                            Funky Dorian Groove + Swing rhythm strum pattern for your right hand – Guitar Lesson – EP611

                                            Contact

                                            For all support questions email: support@activemelody.com
                                            For all other inquires email: brian@activemelody.com
                                            • Facebook
                                            • Twitter
                                            • YouTube

                                            © 2025 · Active Melody. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

                                            Free Weekly Guitar Lessons

                                            Enter your email address below to have the weekly guitar lesson delivered to your email address. I take privacy very seriously and will not share your email address.

                                            • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

                                            Active MelodyLogo Header Menu
                                            • Weekly Lessons
                                            • Take The Tour
                                            • Forum
                                            • Hear From Our Members
                                            • Membership Sign Up
                                            • Log In

                                            Insert/edit link

                                            Enter the destination URL

                                            Or link to existing content

                                              No search term specified. Showing recent items. Search or use up and down arrow keys to select an item.