June Challenge 2026 Testing Limits

[John H]

This is a solo using only two chords (G and C major). It shows how to open up the fretboard using CAGED and some tasty licks. I have working on this since May, and posted a version of it some time ago. Needless to say, it’s a great example of ‘breathing life’ into an arrangement, overcoming limits and boundaries. Based on a lesson from Andy Paoli.

• This topic was modified 2 days, 8 hours ago by John H.

[Denise]

This is sounding great, yes you could be vamping along these chords for ages.
Love that country rock vibe with these double stops, triads and strummed chords…along the CAGED positions.
Thanks for the inspiration.

More Blues!

[charjo]

Way to open up the fret board, John.
John

[Dieter]

You can tell there’s a lot of enthusiasm and hard work that went into this. The playing is wonderfully melodic, and the use of the CAGED system across the entire fretboard is very impressive.

Dieter

[John H]

Thank you Deiter, I do appreciate the insight.

John

[JoeD1]

Some great licks and melodic composition John. Great lesson in CAGED too.

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

[Alan L]

Your timing is impeccable and those licks are so catchy! Well done

[James B]

A great learning experience and it sounds great. Well played, John.

James

[Michael L]

Hi John, I agree this month was a real exploration of the fretboard. You’re sounding great here. Love the country rock sound.

[JoLa]

Testing limits, John! 😃 It was my initial thought to do a standalone chord and lick study similar to what you did here but ended up with something that was easier for me to accomplish. I appreciate the work you put into this, it sounded really good. I think it’s a great way to explore the fretboard and I feel inspired after watching your submission. The laid back tempo was perfect and very “breathable”, indeed.

🎸JoLa

[Bill]

Sounds like a great classic jam band, like The Dead or The Eagles. Nice blend of country and rock. Very fluid, nice!

[sunjamr]

Well played, and very interesting indeed. It’s a combination of a song and a lesson all rolled into one. I reckon just dragging that out and playing it every few weeks would keep your playing skills nicely honed. I could imagine it being played as a call and response also.

Sunjamr Steve

[AndréM]

Awesome country rock vibe my friend.
Awesome playing .
great tone on your Tele.

AndréM

AndréM

[Mark T]

Wonderful chilled blues, John – beautifully played with great tone too. Nicely done 👍🎶😎

[Martin W]

Very creative, this is a lesson in itself and great fretboard workout .
Some real nice licks in there to accompany the solid rhythm playing.
This is very inspiring I like it a lot and a great practice tool which I guess will open up even more ideas every time it’s used .

Martin

[John H]

Martin
Thank you. I can send the lesson to you if you like. It would sound great on your Tele.

John

[wannaplayblues]

Loved that! Especially the licks at 0:29 and 1:09!

Excellent work – beautiful guitar tone for it too! Outstanding!

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

[Manfred M]

John, that’s one of my favorite ways to play. Play the chords and connect them with the correct notes. I wish I could play as fluently as you do here. It all melts together into one great melodic unit. It’s simply beautiful.

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

[Mike W]

I think that’s one of your very best ever – I loved it. Like many of the other viewers, I feel inspired by it – and actually I think that’s something you should be proud of.

[Tremelow]

This is exactly what I’m inspiring to do, John. Thanks for this beautiful submission. I will rewatch for sure. Also great playing.

[Michael Krailo]

Somehow my comment didn’t get posted earlier. This was really good John. Can tell you were getting into it. Nice country vibe you can slow dance to.

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

[Alan O]

Lots of tasty licks included in there John! This was professional grade and sounded awesome to my ears.

Alan

[Author]

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