March ’26 Challenge Response – Gary W

[Gary W]

Hi Friends,

First one from me in a while, thank you in anticipation for giving it a listen. I shall listen to everyone elses on Sunday & look forward to that very much.

This challenge tapped into an idea I’ve been playing around with for a few days. I made a simple backing track, which is just a loop of three chords (CMaj7/am/bm) using mainly bass and keys. When noodling, a motif came to mind and seem to speak to me – saying ‘back to the river’ … so I went with that idea & just tried to let go. The looser ideas I experimented with arent really captured on this video and recording – but you’ll get the idea 🙂

Best wishes to all

Gary

Gary

[Raffaele S]

Ottima base strumentale ….molto piacevole e rilassante ed hai scelto l’impro più adatta…..complimenti

[AndréM]

Very nice composition.
Smooth and melodic.
Awesome tone, nice Tele.
Love the vibe.
How you doin’ bro?

AndréM

AndréM

[Gary W]

Hi Andre & thank you for asking. I’m doing ok thank you the treatment seems to be working and should end in the Autumn (hopefully) . It’s a little brutal, but better than the alternative & I’m grateful.
Best wishes
Gary

Gary

[JoeD1]

Very nice Gary. I liked the mellow and smooth vibe to it. You mixed it well and the video was great too. You kept the lead going without duplicating a lot which is something I struggle with.

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

[Michael Krailo]

Awesome work brother. That was one well constructed piece of music. The keyboard playing was outstanding. And I want one of those T-shirts (Funkadelic).

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

[James B]

Lovely piece of music, Gary. Laid back and relaxing.

James

[sunjamr]

Hey Gary, looks like you’ve got your own Tiny Desk Concert happening there. You’re definitely one of those guys who was born to play jazz guitar. I reckon you should just keep going down that road, because most of us don’t have that intuitive skill that you do. Well played!

Sunjamr Steve

[Denise]

Great backing track you created, Gary. Love the piano….did you play all yourself?
Wonderful and relaxed sounding jazzy lead. I like how you gave space to the melody.
Sweet tone on your beautiful Tele.

I will be revisiting the UK in a few weeks. This time we’re going to discover Pembrokeshire, Wales.
Hope the weather will be as great as last year.

All the best
Denise

More Blues!

[JoLa]

Love the smooth jazz vibe, simply beautiful! Once I read your “back to the river” phrase I heard it and couldn’t un-hear it, you were seriously singing lyrics with your fingers, Gary! Sorry to hear about what you have been going through but glad to see you back playing us this beautiful and very soulful music.

🎸JoLa

[Catherine Arsenault]

Love this Gary truly enjoyed this wow!!

[Alan L]

Such smooth and engaging playing. That motif is catchy and you develop it nicely.

[Pap]

Welcome back Gary. Good to see you. Nice job with this challenge. You really sound good. Your improvising skills are solid and you let the notes breathe. Well done. Pap

[Bruce D]

Gary,
Nice arrangement you put together! A haunting melody.

Like your t shirt. I saw them in NorCal many years ago.

Very tasty composition.

Bruce

Just focus on the notes you DID get right . . . Frank Vignola

[Mark T]

That is such a beautiful submission, Gary – relaxing, easygoing, gentle and perfectly played. – Mark 👍🎶😎

[Manfred M]

Epic, laid-back, and smooth, Gary. Welcome back to the challenges. Great backing track and even better, such tasteful lead playing.
That was pure musical enjoyment!

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup will be May/June
There will be a detailed announcement here in the forum
I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[John H]

Wo Gary
Beautiful playing… love the groove the backing track creates. Your motif is catch and mesmerizing. Full of taste and gorgeous chops. BTW-that’s about the sexiest Telecaster I’ve ever seen. BEAUTIOUS. Great contribution my friend.

John

[charjo]

Missed you and your creative submissions, Gary. Like, John, I’ve always thought that is the most beautiful telecaster I’ve ever seen.
Loved your gentle, tasteful lead and your backing track was amazing.
Wish you all the best in 2026 and hope to see many more posts.
John

[Martin W]

Very laid back composition with a beautiful melodic quality, the phrasing is a standout and has a subtle dynamic.
Excellent submission, nice to see you back in the challenges.

Martin

[snakechisler]

Lovely pace and feel to your submission

Well played thanks

[Laurel C]

Beautiful Gary, your phrasing always provides a story. Singing with your fingers. Top Shelf quality. All the Best Gary, there is victory on the horizon.

[Michael L]

Ah, excellent Gary! Perhaps my favorite submission of the challenge. I love the mellow guitar with the piano and bass. Great feel on that motific lead, and so relaxed throughout. This is a winner!

[Dieter]

Very soulful playing.

Dieter

[Author]

Posts