June 2026 Challenge Response – JoLa

[JoLa]

Hello Active Melody Friends!

Limitation challenges are my favorite kind and I am looking forward to hearing the variety of creations I’m sure it inspired!

The moment I heard the announcement I had two chords picked in my head; Dm and G – just love the way they play together – but when it comes to music theory as to why they work, or what key or scale I play, be my guest as I’m not 100% sure! 🤔 I do love the process of just doing a simple sketch and having no idea which direction it will all take and then just adding elements and watching it morph into something – eventually.

All the images in the video are from my recent June stay-cation, literally 5-10 minutes drive from my house.

🎸JoLa

[charjo]

Inspirational, Jola. I traded an old guitar for a simple lap steel. You’re getting on much better than me with the bar which I still find very awkward.
My YouTube captions were on and the description was “music” and “ooh”. I have to agree.
John

• This reply was modified 2 days, 9 hours ago by charjo.

[JoLa]

Haha, John – thanks 🙂
Can’t wait to see you demo your lap steel skills, I’m sure you’ll master it in no time – as you do 😉

🎸JoLa

[Michael L]

Hi Jola, the perfect composition to go with your photos. What a beautiful area that is, and so close to you!
The acoustic and slide guitar together are haunting. I feel the spirit of the desert!

[Dieter]

A wonderfully mysterious atmosphere with excellent music and visuals. The steel guitar is the heart and soul of it all. Great performance!

Dieter

[JoeD1]

Beautiful and spacey track with a grand desert backdrop. Just 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

[Ben C]

This sounds really professional. Brilliantly done

[Michael Krailo]

That was intense. I feel like I been teleported to another world.

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

[AndréM]

JoLa you are an amazing musician and composer.
Awesome skills on the slide.
I could listen to this all nite long. Nice ambient vibe.
Love you video.
I want a slide like yours but my wife won’t let me.

AndréM

AndréM

[sunjamr]

That is a super interesting ecosystem where you live….maybe the exact opposite of where I live in New Zealand. I would love to go wandering off around the hills and valleys, admiring all the strange kinds of plant life.

Thinking about this challenge, one question that came into my mind is: When you have only two chords, how can you tell which is the root chord? Maybe it’s always the first chord that is played. But what if you play them in reverse order?

Your lap steel skills have reached the point where Larkin Poe may soon be inviting you to join them…..

Sunjamr Steve

[Mark T]

Loved the mix on this submission, JoLa – really beautiful and ethereal 👏👏

I’m totally with you regarding having a basic blueprint, then seeing where it takes you without a firm plan. Sometimes, I find it almost writes itself, and the end result can be so surprising but satisfying. – Mark 👍🎶😎

[Denise]

You’re right, these two chords go beautifully together.
Great composition with the rhythm guitar, simple strums and that magic sounding lap steel.
You totally captured the mood of that beautiful desert landscape. Love that picture of the owl.
The tone quality is superb.
Bravo, JoLa.

More Blues!

[Martin W]

The root and the minor five , what a great combination, the lap steel played over it gives it a wonderful ambient and intense vibe Which goes perfectly with the backdrop .
Love the use of space in this really lets things breathe.
I’m with you on the limitation challenges they really force the creativity.

Martin

[Alan L]

Love the western vibe! You’re really getting the hang of that slide!

[Alan L]

Sounds to me like we are in D minor, with G as a 4 chord. In that case, D Dorian would be a good choice since there’s a B natural in the G 🙂

[JoLa]

Thank you, Alan! That would be my guess but I wasn’t sure, especially about D Dorian.

🎸JoLa

[wannaplayblues]

Ok… that was *SO* good – when is the album coming out?

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

[James B]

Great production, JoLa. Musically and artistically. Loved the vibe you created with music and video. 👏 👏 👏

James

[Manfred M]

Jola, you should always go with your inspiration, when it leads to such a wonderful outcome. It sounds great and goes perfectly with your great pictures. It’s got a vibe that’s similar to the movie Paris, Texas by Wim Wenders, looking at its musical and atmospheric elements.
Do you know it?

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

[JoLa]

Thanks, Manfred – No, I don’t believe I have seen that movie. I’ll put it on my watchlist now 🙂

🎸JoLa

[Mike W]

Wow Jola, you live in a cowboy film! I was expecting Lee Van Cleef to appear over the horizon. I thought the music was reminiscent of the spaghetti westerns, but much more ethereal. It’s quite astonishing that you have created such an evocative atmosphere within the limitation of the two chords.

[Tremelow]

I am impressed how well you have learned to play the lapsteel guitar, JoLa. Your composition sounds just awesome and the video fits like a glove. Phantastic scenerie. You must feel blessed to have that in your backyard. Next time please add some tumbleweed and vultures. 😉

[Bill]

Love the atmosphere you created in this one JoLa, a perfect use of the lap steel. I was expecting a cameo from young Clint Eastwood at any moment!
This is Red Rocks near Las Vegas? Went there a couple years ago, amazing place so close to the city.

[JoLa]

Yes, the Red Rock Canyon National Park, Red Rock Canyon Scenic Loop, and The Spring Mountain Ranch Park – all right behind my neighborhood 🙂

🎸JoLa

[John H]

I really don’t know anybody who says so much with so few notes/chords… From the very first strum (great tone on your acoustic) which is fluid as can be you remained in the moment and played the lap steel with poise and haunting emotion. I appreciate how you start not knowing where you are going and let the music take you where you belong. I really hope that when your life slows down you can devote more time to your music. You deserve that. I love your neighborhood! Thanks for the staycay pics!!

John

• This reply was modified 4 hours, 47 minutes ago by John H.

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