September 2025 Challenge Response – Michael L

[Michael L]

I chose the major tonality track from ML120. The lesson is focused on finding double-stops and playing a whole melody with them. The original is almost a oom-pa oom-pa sound, or maybe a Polka. I went with a straight-ahead G minor pentatonic to give it a Country Blues flavor.

[AndréM]

You gave a big oumf to that Polka.
Nicely done.

AndréM

AndréM

[Guido]

Great idea Michael, and a very well crafted and played composition! Those country/blues licks work really very well on that Polka rhythm, and combined together it came out a very original piece of music, and enjoyable to listen to at the same time! You nailed perfectly the challenge!

Guido

[Juxi]

Yes, I agree with Guido. That was a perfect response to the challenge. Of course, the boundaries are fluid – to me the middle part sounded more bluesy than country – but that also fits the challenge. Thus, very well done, Michael. 👍🏽👍🏽

Bluesige Grüße
Juxi

[sunjamr]

Polka? I never realized it before, but a lot of country music actually is polka style. What kept it interesting was the way you kept moving all around the fretboard. Nice job, Michael, very entertaining.

Sunjamr Steve

[Bill]

Nice way to mix it up Michael. Lots of ideas in there and they flowed fluidly from your fingers.

[Denise]

I like that minor touch over the major country track.
Very well played using different spots on the fretboard.
Wish I could play that fast.
Well done, Michael.
Denise

More Blues!

[Alan L]

Nice catchy motifs, and you covered the changes well

[Catherine Arsenault]

Very nice picking Michael nice and clean and true!!

[Manfred M]

A really interesting musical experiment, Michael. Your country blues licks to that polka rhythm have created a truly unique vibe. Interesting, while listening I also had reggae associations. Music really is a great melting pot.

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup is expected to take place in November 2025

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

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[JoeD1]

Really nice one Michael.

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

[John H]

Nicely done Michael. I’m feeling a gypsy jazz motif. You starting to break the speed limit there with those flying fingers. I really enjoyed the concept. Well developed and seamless performance.

John

[Dieter]

Great bluesy playing.

Dieter

[Martin W]

Hi Michael, cleverly worked , changing that strong sounding backing into a country blues using the minor pentatonic , as mentioned I also could hear a gypsy jazz sound it certain parts .
Impressive fretboard coverage you really know your way around those pentatonics .

Martin

[JoLa]

As soon as you started playing, I heard that classic Michael L sound! Clear and crisp tone with articulate notes flying from under your fingers, faster and faster now! A lovely blend of country and jazz, maybe a bit of Gypsy jazz and blues, a whole palette of colors over Polka style rhythm – what a treat!

🎸JoLa

[sciencefiction]

Tasty little composition, Micheal. Really very well-played and well-picked! All the notes were hit very cleanly and right on time. Very smooth and you are getting pretty fast on that fret board!! Wow. Great alternate picking.
Larry

[Jonathan Amos]

I like the way you put the licks together to make a longer, fluid melody. I tend to get stuck on separate licks that don’t add up to much but you are on top of that.

Jonathan Amos, Matsuyama, Japan

The farther one travels the less one knows.

[Author]

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