September 2023 Challenge – Manfred M – Slow Minor Groove EP069

[Manfred M]

Hi AM folks,
for me the challenge this month was quite easy. It’s not so hard for me, to find one of Brian‘s lessons, I‘m struggling with: there are a few. I decided for EP069 – Slow Minor Key Groove.

This is a lesson which I tried again and again in the last two years, but so far I haven’t come to a really good result. The problem areas are the timing, a smooth change from rhythm to lead, the muted strums and some fast runs.
I played it as good as I can at the moment. I slowed the backing track down to 90% to get a reasonably good result and it went better than I have assumed.

I already recorded my video 11th of September (two days after Brian’s challenge announcement in only two or three takes), because I‘m travelling in Greece in the second half of this month. But I‘m glad this challenge animated me, to pick this lesson up again, because I like it very much and now I will try to keep at it, til I can play it properly.

I‘m looking forward to see what you all are struggling with. Because of my travelling I will watch all her videos no later than the following week.

Greetings to you all from Lefkada/Greece.
A perfect place for relaxing and hiking.
And have a good time too!
Manfred

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup will be on February 28, 2026

For more information click here

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[Guido]

Well, Manfred, all these efforts in the last two years definitely paid off! To my ears the way you played this piece sounds absolutely great, very fluent, with some nice vibratos here and there and definitely enjoyable to listen to!
It’s normal we aren’t never entirely satisfied of how we play, but you did a very good job there and you can really be proud of your work! Then, it’s good sometime to relax an “smell the roses”, but I see you’re already doing so and enjoying life in that beautiful place in Greece!

Guido

[Garry]

Gee, sounds pretty good to me Manfred. Firstly, awesome lesson, I don’t think I’ve heard it before and I’ll definitely add to my favourites. Secondly, I thought you played it confidently, there was smooth transition from chords to single lines and visa versa. Single phrases were clear and melodic. Timing wise, you were steady on the beat so a big ✅ from me. Enjoy your holiday! Keep on pickin’ and all the best! 🥸🎸🥸

[charjo]

I think you caught the groove, Manfred. Sounded great and a very nice tone, also.
Have a wonderful vacation.
John

[Richard G]

Manfred, I think you were much too hard on yourself in your introduction, that was super cool in all respects. You slid nicely into the groove and stayed with it throughout.

Richard

[Don Patton jr]

Nicely done Manfred!
A slow blues with some good lead lines played very well to my ear! Timing can be tricky on those tunes and I thought you navigated through it well…Greece looks fabulous, maybe some day ! 🎶🙂

Don P

[Vincent K]

Very cool rendition Manfred,

Timing was spot on. I agree it is not an easy lesson to play, but you performed perfectly

Cheers

Vincent

🎸 Vincent 🎶 🇳🇱

[MrO]

I agree with Richard. Much to hard on yourself! You captured the groove beautifully and never lost it 🙂 Enjoyed listening very much.

[Bob Utberg]

Gosh, it is amazing how sometimes when we put away a lesson or idea and come back to it that it just takes off!! Well done Manfred! Love the Thrill Is Gone minor groove all day long! Enjoy your Holiday in Greece (on my bucket list) and you did really well here on a tough idea/technique!

Bob U. (aka Bobby Ut)

[Anonymous]

That was totally enjoyable listen Manfred! You seemed to be right in the pocket for the entire lesson.
So many of these challenges focus on speed. Personally I think speed is overrated. The best sounding things to me are slow to medium tempo’s where the guitar player sit’s right in the pocket of the backing track groove, like you did here.
Well done.!

Marc

[Werner]

Very well done Manfred. Aas said above you hit the groove perfect. outstanding rendition.

Genieß Deinen Urlaub in Griechenland.

Thank you

Werner

[Mike D]

That’s a cool lesson didn’t know existed..sounded very well, and relaxed and the plus was great Greece pics!

Live on planet Earth ? You got the blues.

[Michael L]

Hi Manfred, sounding pretty good. I hear you working on the flow of it. There’s lots of syncopated upstrokes, and the switching from rhythm to lead. Indeed challenging, but you’re getting it, little by little.

[Livio M]

Nice execution Manfred.
The piece, even if slowed down, has great impact and intensity and could exist as it is.
Happy holiday.

Livio

[David H]

Manfred – wow, sure am glad you struggled with this and brought it back. Dang! Love the song (top of my next list) and you played it so well. And by the way the tone you have is so good!

[AndréM]

I don’t remember this lesson, but you sounded good to me.
Well done.

AndréM

AndréM

[Juxi]

Very good choice of lesson, Manfred. I did not know it, but it definitely sounded like a lot of fun to play.
Well done! 👍🏽
Genieße Griechenland. Bis demnächst. 👋🏽😎

Bluesige Grüße
Juxi

[Tom D]

Your playing is very expressive and musical Manfred. It seems you’ve turned your struggles into strengths! Well done and thanks for the inspiration to learn this lesson. All the best hiking and relaxing in Greece!

Cheers, Tom

[Martin W]

Hi manfred , your two years of study has paid dividends, you were right in the groove throughout, the muted strums were spot on , I think you demonstrated the importance of keeping the right hand moving very well .
Excellent sub enjoyed it , and a fine tone from your telecaster 👌.

Martin

[Serena C]

You’ve struggled and you’won Manfred! Your playing is very smooth and clean, congrats!

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)

[Laurel C]

Manfred, that was some cool, chilled out performance. You really made that look easy, hard to imagine you struggled with this. Need to put this ep on the list and play it smooth as … just like that. I also think I should adopt your lifestyle of alternating monthly challenges with holidays. It’s a successful formula.

[John H]

Manfred-
You are developing nicely. This is performed with great should, taste and restraint. Love it. Thanks for sharing your pictures of Greece. Always a treat.

John

[Bruce D]

Manfred,
That’s a good job on this, you’ve got a nice BB vibe going. I should look this one up. Sort of a Thrill is Gone. Well played, your time has paid off.
Enjoy your trip, and have a frappé for us!

Bruce

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

[JoLa]

If you hadn’t mentioned the struggles I would have thought you played the lesson that was the easiest one for you! I think – I know – that you absolutely nailed the groove, the feel, and the beautiful vibe of this minor jam! It is the first lesson I tried to learn at AM and I played it for the February 2021 challenge. So much fun and yes – so difficult and tricky. I know exactly what you had to go through but your results are superb! Love the tone and the expressive bend you did at 2:31, so sweet!

🎸JoLa

[Pap]

Nice playing Manfred…you seemed to have nailed that one. Hope your trip is going well. Cheers. Pap

[Mark T]

Sounding good to my ears at least, Manfred – smooth and relaxed playing that’s lovely to chill out to. A great tone you dialled in as well – really liked that, well done 👍🎼🎶😎

[Marie Jarreau]

Hi Manfred,
Well, that was beautifully done! A very nice groove and an confirmation once again that we are ususally our own worst critique!
I thoroughly enjoyed that!

“Laissez les bon temps rouler“
Marie Jarreau

[David G]

Sounded ike a pretty good rendition to me Manfred. It’s a great thing to try and master switching lead to rhythm. Well done!

[JoeD1]

Manfred, you pulled it off very well in my opinion. I liked the sound of it so much I may have a look at it myself. Thanks!

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

[Author]

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