June 2026 Challenge – Michael Krailo

[Michael Krailo]

I didn’t have much time to prepare for this so I started planning it out Friday after work and finished getting something respectable Saturday afternoon. I’m using a two chord backing track using Am and D. This opens up A Dorian as the scale of choice. It was very fun to play so the full jam is over11 minutes long, so I cut it short for you so not to bore anyone. At the 2:23 mark there is a pretty cool sounding rhythm part that I featured in the longer version, but at least it’s in the short version. Let me know what you think.

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

[Dieter]

That sounds really professional. Great, groovy rhythm, perfect improvisation, and a sensational sound. Bravo!

Dieter

[JoeD1]

Really nice Michael.

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 Inspiring.
Job well done!!!
I truly mean INSPIRING.

[Tremelow]

I like the backing track and what you did to it. There was just the right amount ofvariety in your improv. Nice Job Michael,

[Ben C]

The speed that you used the tremolo bar at 2.25 onwards was insane and it’s timing was flawless. A standout section of all of the submissions I’ve watched this month. Loved it

[sunjamr]

Oh, so that’s what that little lever thingy on my Strat is used for! Nice jamming, Michael!

Sunjamr Steve

[AndréM]

Great funky beat.
Excellent playing.
Love the bass.
Has a Santana vibe.

AndréM

AndréM

[Michael Krailo]

That wasn’t me playing bass. Just a backing track that I acquired recently.

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

[Alan L]

Lots of great lead licks and chord hits alike. You covered a lot of ground, and kept it interesting throughout.

[Denise]

Your playing is excellent. Dorian sound is one of my favorite. Great tremolos.
Some great licks. I like how your improv is very rhythm based with not too many lead lines, which can be overwhelming sometimes.
I am jealous about your Strat tone!!!

More Blues!

[Mark T]

That was a great groove you put together here, Michael – I can easily see how you could just get lost in it, going on until the cows come home 🤣🤣 – Mark 👍🎶😎

[Martin W]

Fantastic groove , impressive stuff in such a short study , lots to like in this one
Yeah that little rhythm section is a standout and one to keep.
A good workout with the tremolo which didn’t throw the tuning , you must have it set up well .

Martin

[Bill]

You brought the funk Michael! Love the use of the whammy bar. I could see how you could carry on and on with this jam track. Fun stuff.

[Michael Krailo]

Martin W wrote:

Fantastic groove , impressive stuff in such a short study , lots to like in this one
Yeah that little rhythm section is a standout and one to keep.
A good workout with the tremolo which didn’t throw the tuning , you must have it set up well .

Martin

I’m continually amazed how well it stays in tune after using the bar. I go through strings so quickly due to high usage levels and I haven’t changed strings in a while and thought I might break one mid performance. I’ll be changing strings today for sure and probably work on my telecaster (just a few more frets to polish).

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

[wannaplayblues]

Really well put together! Sounded great – and nice use of the trem arm!

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

[Mike W]

Great jumpin’ and jivin’ music Michael – not a note wasted and it was obvious that you were enjoying yourself – which is the whole point of it.

[Manfred M]

Great funky backing track, Michael, and your improv really fits it perfectly. And you’re right—the rhythm part that comes in at 2:23 is amazing and really stands out somehow.

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup will be on July 25, 2026

For more information click here

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[Alan O]

Michael, I really enjoyed listening to this. You really kept it interesting and I could have listened longer

Alan

[James B]

You’re in the groove with this funky track, Michael. Great tone and expression in your lead lines. That lick you pointed out is a keeper.

James

[John H]

Love it Mike. Gritty and ‘spanky. ‘ You generate an amazing Strat tone. I hate to say somebody sounds like something else-but I’m gonna anyways. This has the essence of an Atlanta Rhythm jam. Very bold and original. That dude can play!!

John

[Michael Krailo]

John H wrote:

Love it Mike. Gritty and ‘spanky. ‘ You generate an amazing Strat tone. I hate to say somebody sounds like something else-but I’m gonna anyways. This has the essence of an Atlanta Rhythm jam. Very bold and original. That dude can play!!

John

I’m happy with my tone, I only wish I could play lead as well as Steve Stone. I used to play a lot of ARS on many a road trip in my youth.

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

[JoLa]

Love your funky improvisation, Michael, I could listen to the whole 11 minutes no problem. It’s quite amazing to me that you can keep jamming like that and always have some new ideas – I especially liked the different rhythm “samples” you were experimenting with. Not to mention the fact that this was all last minute project. Awesome tone, too!

🎸JoLa

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