Participate in the June 2026 Challenge

[Brian]

Hi Active Melody family!

It’s time for the June 2026 Site Member Challenge!

For this month’s challenge, keep it simple: use only two chords for your entire piece. Any two chords you like, any style, any key. The goal is to see how much musical expression you can create with limits, through rhythm, dynamics, phrasing, and feel rather than relying on chord changes.

You can record 2 chords and improvise lead over them if you want, or just create a standalone composition that is based on 2 chords. (Hint: the 1 chord to the 5 chord is always an awesome format)

You might be surprised how much creative territory opens up when the harmony is locked down and everything else is up for grabs.

The submission date for this challenge will be Sunday, July 19. You can start submitting Friday, July 17.

If you need assistance with how to record yourself and post to the forum see this post

GROUND RULES FOR PARTICIPATION:

Post your Youtube, Vimeo, or Soundcloud links of you playing your chosen lesson anytime between Friday, July 17, through Sunday, July 19, 10:00 pm CST. Please do not submit earlier. I think it is fun to see everyone’s posts at once.

Submit individually in the “Active Melody Member Challenge Response Submissions” forum. Title your posts “June 2026 Challenge Response – [Your AM Screen Name]” and let everyone know which two chords you chose.
Please submit only a single video or audio file for this challenge.

Have fun and don’t be intimidated by these challenges!!! Use these challenges to help you set goals and complete them by a deadline. You can also use this as an opportunity to chat with other Active Melody members and share tips or tricks on this challenge that you think are useful.

It is better to show progress versus perfection with these challenges. So if you are a beginner and can only manage simple strumming between the two chords, that is completely ok. The point is that you are trying something new and growing as a player. Remember we are all here to support you no matter what your current playing level is.

I look forward to seeing everyone’s posts! 🙂

[Michael Krailo]

So glad that I won’t have to think too hard about this challenge. Should be real easy to make up a simple two chord rhythm part and jam over that in a creative way.

Root note patterns >>> CAGED shapes >>> TRIAD'S. Just put in the work and watch your guitar skills soar.

[Author]

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