May 2025 Challenge Response

[Pap]

Hello fellow AM’rs.

I hope all is well. In this months challenge response, I submitted my version of EP603. The triad leads coupled with the 6251 turnaround is gold. One thing that really sticks in my mind is Brian always talking about how he really does not think about why this stuff works when he jams/improvs…he just plays because his fingers know the dance. I think it takes a lot of playing to get to that level. I liked this lesson and there are a ton of ah ha moments. It also is becoming more apparent to me how important it is to motor through the song….the clock doesn’t stop ticking so if you get something wrong just keep going. There is a good example of both in my video submission. One part I stumble and hesitate…and it sounds bad….another…I dont get all the notes right but it sounds ok because I keep going. Once you start….you have to plow through it. Cheers. Pap

[Martin W]

Hi pap , yep I’m with you on the playing through a composition, eventually that hurdle can be crossed , sometimes it’s all in the mind cos you know there’s a hard bit coming up !
Good job on this lesson , the triad concept is a popular one this month.
I think the dance is potentially in the fingers ,but getting them to do it is another story I guess it takes time for all of us .

Martin

[Dieter]

Very nice.

Dieter

[Bill]

So true about just pushing through Pap. Often those listening won’t notice, but if you stop, it points it out.

[Denise]

So true!
Yes the finger dance comes with regular practice.
I think to keep the rhythm is the most important thing.
Well played. I like the wah effect, goes well with the piece.
Denise

More Blues!

[charjo]

Words of wisdom, Pap.
That dance thing must take years and years of putting the fingers to the fretboard, I’m still in the shapes with a little bit of ear stage.
John

[Pap]

Hey John, those words of wisdom come from Brian. I am still working on learning the C scale:). But I was always wondering how people can improvise so well when thrown into a jam and that is where Brian’s comments resonated with me. Not sure I will ever get there but it is fun learning.

[Jennifer D]

I think you played brilliantly It looks like quite a difficult piece to play. Anyway I like your tip about keeping going! 👍

[JoLa]

Great light bulb moments, Pap, and very well played!

So true on just keep playing advice, I also try to incorporate that into my recordings. Often I realize that if I don’t point out my mistakes, no one will notice if I just keep going. Staying in the rhythm is the key.

🎸JoLa

[James B]

Hey, Pap.
You’ve got the right idea. I stumble through some of these lessons time after time before my fingers can do the dance.

James

[AndréM]

Yep you kept her going.
Great submission.
Well done.

AndréM

AndréM

[Alan L]

I love that lesson, definitely not an easy one. You played very well, great performance! 😀

[Gary W]

Nice one Pap, I like the plough-on idea, like in life, not just guitar! Great playiong as well – and thank you also for your very kind words – much appreciated.

Gary

[Richard G]

Nicely played Pap, certainly agree with the ‘play through’ philosophy. Regarding the Dancing Fingers, the respected guitar tutor David Hamburger will tell you that the pro play licks and fills so many times that the sequences just roll of the fingers and what looks like first improvisation is deceptive. The pros know where to go on the fretboard because they’ve been there many times before.

Richard

[Manfred M]

You are so right, Pap. The most important thing is not to be thrown off course by mistakes and inaccuracies. It’s usually the case that you’re the only one who notices it. And you do that very well here. And your enthusiasm for these of Brian’s lessons also comes across very well. I enjoyed listening to you.

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup will probably take place in July/August 2025

There will be a detailed announcement here in the forum in good time.

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[John H]

PAP
Always great to hear you. I like that you are ‘plowing ‘through it. Sounds pretty good. I also like the reference that “one might not know why it all works, cuz your fingers know the dance.” Superbly stated. Thanks for sharing.

JH

[JoeD1]

That was excellent Pap! I didn’t hear any bad spots so your idea to just keep going must have worked!

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

[KT]

Great submission and advice
Let the soul and fingers do the walking
LT

[Bob Utberg]

Alright Pap! Great to see you back doing a Challenge! You keep getting better and better at keeping the “time keeper” – the right hand – strumming even when the waters get fast! Nicely done my friend!

Bob U. (aka Bobby Ut)

[sunjamr]

Wise words, Pap, and your demo illustrates the concepts perfectly. Brian has said before that if you make a mistake, just keep the beat going and most people will never even know you made a mistake. BTW, I don’t know that lesson, and I was wondering if there’s a backing track for it, or is it designed to be played standalone?

Sunjamr Steve

[Pap]

there is a BT and I should have used it but, given the time I had, I was happy to just get the concepts down:)

[Mark T]

Nice submission, Pap – and absolutely agree with you, the beat goes on and you have to do the same! Do it enough times and you’ll get it right, possibly to the point where you wonder what on earth the initial problem was 😂 – Mark 👍🎶😎

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