June 2025 Challenge Response

[John H]

I gathered a few blues licks (from David Hamburger) to create a simple blues fingering picking tune in E. My first challenge was syncopating thumb and fingers (keeping steady bass while playing melody). My second challenge was to establish a GROOVE . Thirdly, I tried to create some CONTRAST using various chord voicing/triads in an interlude-which comes later (2x) in the tune. Additionally, I added some tape/delay echo (which I am not a big effects guy) to add some additional seasoning. I think it sounds pretty cool.

[John H]

Aside from using 3rds in my composition, I was face with several other challenges. The first was syncopating thumb and fingers (bass and melody). The second challenge was to create a GROOVE. The next was to use various chord voicings (triads/3rds) to establish CONTRAST. Additionally, I added some tape/delay echo to provide some additional seasoning. Hope you like. 😎

[AndréM]

Awesome composition my friend.
Very well played.
I wasn’t expecting the first explosion, are you still in one piece? lol
That Martin has a cool tone.
Is it the Martin you will send to me for my birthday?
Hurry up its coming soon lol

AndréM

AndréM

[sunjamr]

Nice job, John! It’s funny you mention the need to create a groove, because lately I’ve been listening to a guy called Markus K. He’s a globe trotting busker who travels to lots of different countries and earns a living by busking, posting Youtube videos, maybe some Spotify tunes even. But what I notice, is the very first thing he usually does is to establish a serious well-defined groove. He usually, but not always, uses a looper to keep the beat going. The idea is that people nearby can’t stop from dancing, or at least feeling the groove. Go to his Youtube page and check out some of his videos. He’s even got one hour-long video where he explains how he does it all.

Sunjamr Steve

[Manfred M]

I think you have mastered all these challenges pretty good, John. I had a lot of fun listening to your groove and your blues licks (David Hamburger is a great source for this) I enjoyed to hear some fingerstyle playing from you. Great work!

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup will probably take place in the second half of August

There will be a detailed announcement here in the forum in good time.

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[Mark T]

Wow, John, what a groove 👏👏🎼🎶🎸 So atmospheric, and not only because of the thunder – the general feel of your composition has a wonderful, dark, vibe going on that I really loved – Mark 👍🎶😎

[Paul S.]

I always admire players who can use their thumb independently from their fingers, so your ability to do that AND play a very cool and steady blues is amazing, That you labeled the “trainwhistle lick” was a bonus.

[Catherine Arsenault]

Nice playing John really enjoyed it!😊🇨🇦

[Alan L]

That was fabulous John, ready for FM! Definitely established a groove! 😎

[Martin W]

Hi John , cool groove with the bass driving things along , you came up with some real nice fills and licks throughout, I really like this style you set a subtle dark mood to it .
The descending 3rds were a good idea, breaks things up nicely ,love that train whistle lick 👌

Martin

[Pap]

John, that was really creative! Nice job creating this composition and thanks for putting the chords in…makes it easier for rookies like me to figure out what your doing. I also love the train whistle idea. Super cool. Cheers. Pap

[Dieter]

Yes, that grooves – really great.

Dieter

[JoLa]

What a great approach, John! I love that you showed us all the elements separately and then combined it all into a full awesome sounding composition, very educational as well as entertaining. I re-watched it to understand it better, loved that classic sounding blues lick a la “Baby Please Don’t Go” and how you put it all together. A true masterclass, great playing, incredible musicianship despite the thunderstorm ⛈️😉 – I could listen to this all day!

🎸JoLa

[JoeD1]

Wonderful John! It sounded like a modern take in the style of John Lee Hooker. Simply wonderful!

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

[Reuben B]

That was a nice blues composition John. Nice fingerstyle playing especially with the thumping steady bass and syncopated rhythm. Not easy to do. I also like those interesting chords you added on top of it (I have to go back and play it again to figure out what you were playing!)

[Tremelow]

Top notch, John. I like how you were building up the composition, layer by layer. And explained it, too. Needless to say that it indeed sounded very cool!

[Author]

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