May 2023 Challenge Response – Sumanto Banerjee

[Sumanto Banerjee]

I managed to loose around 25 pounds of weight in last one year. It was “SIMPLE”, and nothing fancy, just eat less, move more, train harder… but was it EASY? Hell… No.

But then, why am I talking about that in a Guitar context?? Because… in Life… ALL SIMPLE things produce great results… but SIMPLE IS NOT NECESSARILY EASY.

In this challenge, I played the 1-4-5 chords in the key of E; but tried to make it more interesting, rather than just strumming the chords. And though its simple, but as I got into deep thoughts and analysis, I found that there are so many complex music theory stuff happening in a small piece. It was an eye opener. I took the melody of EP 367 and made it my own, with lots of stuff from many of Brians lessons borrowed freely. Hope you all like it.
(Since its an acoustic guitar recorded directly through the mobile phone, using a headphone / earphone will give a better sound)

Looking fwd to listening to everyone….

Storming Heaven's Gate

[Garry]

A very lyrical piece Sumanto. Sounded awesome on your acoustic. Keep on pickin’ and all the best! 🥸🎸🥸

[Sumanto Banerjee]

Thank you Garry for all the encouragement.

Storming Heaven's Gate

[Guido]

Very nice standalone guitar composition, Sumanto! You learned very well from Brian’s lessons how to compose this kind of pieces and you extended the I-IV-V progression very originally with some nice and interesting voicings and licks! Very well played on your acoustic. Congratulations on achieve your goals on both loosing weight and playing guitar!

Guido

[Sumanto Banerjee]

Thanks a lot Guido 🙏

Storming Heaven's Gate

[Vincent K]

Very well played Sumanto,

Lovely melody

Congrats on your weight loss, I for sure know that is not easy

🎸 Vincent 🎶 🇳🇱

[Sumanto Banerjee]

Thank you Voncent for your kind words 🙏🙏

Storming Heaven's Gate

[Andy N]

Really well played Sumanto. You’re so right, simple doesn’t mean easy. Working within a few simple constraints brings its own challenges. Imaginative choice of chord voicings to accompany that sweet melody you conjured from that 1-4-5.

[Phil B]

Great stand alone production Sumanto. This didn’t sound or look simple at all.

[JoeD1]

Congratulations on a fine musical piece and losing the weight! I enjoyed listening to you very much. And I did use my headphones and the tone from your guitar was beautiful. I had to listen to it twice.

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

[Gary W]

Ahh that’s so true (simple things not easy). This is really nice & it’s abvious youve given it a lot of thought. Great result 🙂

Gary

[James B]

Looking sharp and picking good. Well done, Sumanto.

James

[Pap]

Sumanto, nice job with this submission. Simple + simple = not as simple. Nice job and well played. Cheers. Pap

[Michael L]

Sumanto, nicely composed piece. You can do a lot with just 1, 4, & 5, and you put in some melodic lines to tie it together. Sounding fine!

[Paul S.]

My wife tells me I should get into analysis, but I don’t think she meant the musical kind like you did here. This piece made great use of the old CAGED system Brian is always talking about and I could see the 1-4-5 playing out as you went along. The little high part at the end was the cherry on the sundae. Nice work.

[Mike W]

Good work Sumanto – you really did make the 1 – 4 – 5 sound so much more interesting.

[Laurel C]

Like the analysis approach you bring to the 1-4-5 of life and guitar, then just sat back and enjoyed the melodic lines and the beautiful tone from your guitar playing.

[AndréM]

Nice chords selection.
Great compo.
Well done.

AndréM

AndréM

[JoLa]

You always put in a good study, Sumanto. This was a nice bluesy composition, good thinking on that!

🎸JoLa

[sunjamr]

Nice to see you experimenting with some simple (but not easy) improv, Sumanto. Well played!

Sunjamr Steve

[Liam Innes]

Hey Sumanto,

I couldn’t agree more – simple does not always mean easy.

Very nice standalone comp that fits the challenge perfectly.

Well done on your weight loss btw.

Liam.

“We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams. “

[Manfred M]

You are right, Sumanto, to concentrate on something simple, forces you to some kind of deep dive to make it interesting. You succeeded in that with your nice melody, well played on your acoustic. I enjoyed it!

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom.
The next Meetup will take place on May 31

There will be a detailed announcement here in the forum in the next days..

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[Tom D]

No matter your goal Sumanto, you’re thoughtful, disciplined, and effective. And with your music you include some soulful spice … Beautifully played with great touch and tone.

Cheers, Tom

[Serena C]

So true Sumanto! Simple is not easy, most of the time very challenging! Beautiful composition!

If I wasn't making mistakes I wouldn't be the kind of player I want to be. Perfection is dangerous.
It's all about taking risks, sometimes you get to some place, sometimes you get to a different place. (Brian May)

[John H]

I love this lesson and you cover it well. Nice way to embellish a simple 145 progression.

John

[Bob Utberg]

Melodic and smooth Sumanto! Your playing is getting better and better. Well done! B

Bob U. (aka Bobby Ut)

[Author]

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