May 2025 Challenge Response – Mark T

[Mark T]

Dear AMers – here is my challenge response for this month.

It is a technique that Brian has demonstrated quite a few times, and I now find that I use it so often that’s it’s almost second nature for me to use it. It has saved me a number of times when improvising, but also useful for little embellishments or even the foundation of a solo.

I’ve tried to describe it in the video but, as you’ll see, I kinda fumbled my way through the description 😂😂 So I also included a demonstration that will – hopefully – make it clear what on earth I’m rabbiting on about 🤣🤣

Best wishes all, and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone else’s “Light Bulb” moments ♥️

[Manfred M]

This is a technique that I also like to use very often. And a big shout-out to you, Mark, you demonstrated it very well in your video. It really encourages you to copy it. When I have a guitar in my hands again, I will definitely do it.

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

[Jennifer D]

Oh Mark that was very well explained and demonstrated, sounds great!

[charjo]

Great reminder, Mark. I’m always looking for ideas to add some momentary speed to my woefully slow fingers.
John

[Alan L]

Great technique, you showcase it well

[Richard G]

So well demonstrated Mark, those intricate runs thrown in and resolving with a chord based rhythm certainly enhances any improvisations.

Richard

[Bill]

Nice presentation Mark! And a cool technique too. Thanks for sharing.

[John H]

Nicely done Mark. That was compelling and entertaining. Thanks for sharing.

JH

[AndréM]

Well done Mark, your an excellent professor.
Your challenge is somewhat like mine.
You use it with chord, i use with solo.

AndréM

AndréM

[James B]

Cheers, Mark.
Great idea and demonstration. I’m going to try working this into my playing.

James

[Paul S.]

A side benefit — it moves your hand up and down the fretboard quickly and easily.
I use something like this a lot, too, and like you never really broke it down before.
Thanks!

[Michael L]

Hi Mark, great use of this technique. I think I’ve heard this referred to as ‘sequencing’. I like how you’ve used it over short phrases. If I recall, we did a challenge a couple of years ago to feature the use of this.

[JoeD1]

Very well explained and very well demonstrated Mark. I think I’ve always called the technique up 3 back 1 or up 4 back 1. Whatever we call it you did a splendid job of it!

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

[sunjamr]

Good explanation, Mark. I do use that technique sometimes, but I’ve never seen any lesson on Active Melody or otherwise that explains it as simply as you did. I just figured it out on my own by listening to other guitarists who are a lot better than me.

Sunjamr Steve

[JoLa]

Mark, that was a wonderful demonstration, I really enjoyed it and it gave me another A-ha! moment, so – thank you!

Really well done, great playing, too.

🎸JoLa

[Laurel C]

So starting each run with the second note of the previous. That is an A-ha and deserves a name, Must try it out as you explained and demonstrated it so well. Line cliche of sorts! Good to see Keith still stands behind everything you do. Thanks for sharing your lightbulb with us Mark.

[KT]

Hi Mark
Great presentation hopefully I will master the technique you explained eloquently
KT

[Wayne Nunez]

Great job and that’s a technique that can be helpful to anyone for all sorts of playing,well played friend!

[Martin W]

Nicely presented Mark , I also find myself using that technique, it can be used in so many ways as you so well demonstrated,
It’s a powerful little concept thanks for sharing.

Martin

[Gary W]

I use this too! One of my main uses is as a warm up excercise & also as a way of trying to increase my ability to play a little faster. I find it a bit compulsive 🙂

Gary

[Pap]

Mark, well played. I have seen this in some lessons but never worked on it. Another thing to put on my list:). Cheers. Pap

[Juxi]

Thanks for sharing, Mark. I never used that concept, but now I will try to implement it. Very useful. 😊👋🏽

Bluesige Grüße
Juxi

[Dieter]

Very nice ideas and playing.

Dieter

[Serena C]

thank you Mark! this is a technique that I don’t use very often for the fear of not sounding melodic and musical but you demonstrated that is possible, thank you! I will recur more to it

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)

[Bob Utberg]

Nicely done Mark!~. It makes our solos sound more musical rather than like a scales exercise! Awesome stuff!

Bob U. (aka Bobby Ut)

[Denise]

I like the use of triplets or also the 4 note pattern to which Brian made a leason a while ago.
Thanks for the nice demonstration.
Nice outfit.

Now I know why you are wearing shades.
We had 2 weeks of constant sunshine in Devon…it’s really true that there can be sunshine in the UK.😄.
All the best
Denise

More Blues!

[Mark T]

Thank you all so much ❤️❤️

Ahh, Denise, well done – you managed to catch the one day out of three in the whole year that the sun comes out here 😂😂😂. And the Shades… oh, that’s just me being hopeful 🤣🤣❤️❤️

[Tremelow]

Aue, that’s a real good one, Mark. Thanks for sharing. It sounds great in your demo and now I want to be able to play it like this, too!

[Author]

Posts