September 2026 Challenge – Charjo

[charjo]

Happy Challenge Weekend my AM friends,

This is a repost from about 4 years ago as I’ve been distracted with other guitar courses.
This is probably the hardest thing I’ve ever played due to the subtlety of the timing and the speed in the latter half.
I tackled it as a tribute to my fallen AM friend and Nashville companion, Gary Waldman, who still lives on my Facebook page.
The first half is melancholy but the second half (after 2:35) is as much an expression of pure joy as I’ve ever heard in a guitar composition.
Hope you enjoy.

John

• This topic was modified 2 days, 7 hours ago by charjo.
• This topic was modified 2 days, 6 hours ago by charjo.
• This topic was modified 2 days, 6 hours ago by charjo.

[Ben C]

John this was bloody brilliant. I couldn’t rate it any higher. Such a great tribute. Carlos Santana is my absolute guitar idol. Id be hyped if I could play this piece even half this well

[Alan O]

John, that was awesome! My wife and I were in Las Vegas last month and saw Santana at the House of Blues. Great show and I think you could join him on stage for this one!

Alan

[JoeD1]

Well played and awesome John!

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

[Michael Krailo]

Mr. Santana is among us. That is a favorite song of mine, and I remember working on it pretty early on in my guitar journey. Haven’t thought of attempting it since, but this gives me hope. It has always been an emotionally drive piece, but this was quite good. Love it. You got those faster bits down nicely.

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

[Werner]

Thanks for the repost, John. That’s the most perfect “Samba Pa Ti” I’ve ever heard. Not a single mistake and outstanding interpolation—very impressive, out of this world. Your friend would definitely be very proud of you for pulling this off so well.

Thank you very much for sharing.

Werner

[AndréM]

Feels like sitting on grass with a bunch of friends smoking as joint,lol
I did Samba pa ti here on Am but not as good as you just did,

AndréM

AndréM

[Alan L]

Masterfully played John, what an inspiration! Love when the beat comes in 😎

[Richard G]

A massive technical piece well under the belt John. Sounded terrific especially the ‘bendy double-stops’ in the first half. I can’t begin to imagine how much work went into playing it that well, certainly a fitting tribute to your close pal and our lost member Gary.

Richard

[James B]

Great picking, John. You really shine on this one. I remember Gary playing a hollow body Ibanez. Hard to believe it was four years ago. Wonderful tribute to your friend.

James

[Mike W]

Superb! What an amazing rendition – thank you for sharing.

[Laurel C]

Thanks for reposting this as it was amazing work. Complex… great listen but to attempt to try it. Leave that to the willing and able. Nice to remember Gary W again.

[Martin W]

Great stuff John , masterfully executed in all aspects, I agree it’s definitely a tune with two halves regarding the feel , at the 2.35 mark the intensity drops and thereafter it’s pure freedom and joy .
Superb tribute.

Martin

[wannaplayblues]

That was was brilliant. lovely tone too!

"I hear you talkin' son, but you 'aint sayin' nothin'" - Will McFarlane quoting Muddy Waters hearing a really fast guitar player

[Juxi]

John, I think I remember that post and how very impressed I was- still am. Brilliantly done 👍🏽.

Bluesige Grüße
Juxi

[Don Patton jr]

Hi John,
Excellent submission wth awesome bends and lift offs in perfect timing! Great selection displaying melancholy and then joyous vibe ending 🎶🎵🙂

Don P

[John H]

Love it and you mastered this…. note for note…. to my ears you nailed this note for note which requires a huge amount of patience. The delicate bursts of speed you displayed, intermixed with normal quarter and 8th notes is subtle and sweet. Well done. I’m jealous…. I may have to start playing my electric again.

John

[sciencefiction]

Awesome! I remember this and you nailed it!! Peace to Gary. He was one of the star players on AM. Very inspirational and funny also. Perfect tribute.
Larry

[Catherine Arsenault]

Charjo that was Brilliant 😳🙂

[Manfred M]

Great version of this great song, John. And it’s really awesome to go from melancholy to joy with you and your music!

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom.
The next Meetup will take place on October 31

There will be a detailed announcement here in the forum very soon
I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[Dieter]

It really is a wonderful—but super-difficult—song, and you nailed everything perfectly—the mood, the technique, and the sound!

Dieter

[JoLa]

Simply incredible! What a beautiful tribute to both Gary W – and the Santana’s song! The loss of one of our AM members makes me very sad and hearing this incredible version of Samba Pa Ti almost made me cry. I grew up on this music so I know it note for note and I just can’t believe how precisely you played it, I have never seen it play so well – including the tone! This truly seems magical to me and I wish I knew your secret 😉 Talk about playing a feeling, you totally nailed this challenge with this (re-)submission, John!

🎸JoLa

[Mark T]

WOW, John – what a truly outstanding performance from you 👏👏, and a beautiful tribute to Gary 👍👍

Like Richard, I especially admired your double-stops with bends, played with perfection. – Mark 👍🎶😎

[Bill]

Wow John, that’s a long piece to play and do so flawlessly. Really nailed that Santana tone too. Great submission that has an array of feelings. 🤘

[Wayne Nunez]

Very cool and smooth Santana feel,nice job!

[Author]

Posts