Active Melody – September 2024 Challenge Response – Mike W

[Mike W]

Good day to everyone.

The Challenge for this month is to compose a piece to play over the chord sequence Am/Dm/G/E.
I channelled my inner Dick Dale and tried to write a piece of surf-guitar music, which is something I’ve never tried before. Generally I used pentatonic minor scales for the Am and Dm, G major and E something (I’m still researching to find out what that is). It’s really fun to play, but I think my timing is a bit ragged.

I used Videopad to trim a false start (one of many) from my video, but when I exported the mp4 to put on YouTube there was a delay between the audio and video track. After many re-tries I tried nudging the video track forward and fortunately seemed to get it right first time. However, if you do detect a lack of synchronisation – that’s the reason.
I think this type of challenge is my favourite – I’m really looking forward to watching everyone else’s posts.

Here’s the link

[Dieter]

Yes, that is great surf music. Very fine composition.

Dieter

[Mike W]

Many thanks Dieter – glad you liked it.

[Alan L]

Great work, I think you captured the surf vibe to a T. 👍

[Mike W]

Many thanks Alan, I’m glad you liked it.

[Guido]

Very interesting and original composition, Mike! Loved the surf style vibe, played in a very enjoyable and original way, not counting it’s a standalone composition, and even without a backing track it sounds great on itself. Loved that phrase at 00:53 (melodic scale I think, with the G#). Great submission!

Guido

[Mike W]

Many thanks Guido, I’m glad you liked it.

[AndréM]

You nailed down the surfing vibe.
Well done.

AndréM

AndréM

[Mike W]

Many thanks Andre, I’m glad you liked it.

[Bill]

Very cool Mike, waxing down my board right now! I like the fast runs followed by pauses to give a little wiggle from the Bigsby.

[Mike W]

Many thanks Bill, I’m glad you liked it. It wouldn’t be surf without the Bigsby would it ?

[Andy N]

Well, unlike Bill, I’m getting ready to put my board down and kick up the sand at your post surf party. You had the vibe and that clean tone with the bold lead lines shouted Surf for sure!!!

[Mike W]

Many thanks Andy, I’m glad you liked it. The tone came courtesy of the ‘Surf’ setting on the Fender LT25.

[sunjamr]

Looks like tons of fun, Mike, great idea!

Sunjamr Steve

[Mike W]

Thanks Steve – you’re right – it is great fun. It’s one of the few pieces that I’ve carried on playing after the Challenge.

[JoLa]

What a great creative approach with the challenge, Mike! I would have never thought of the surf music style for this, and yet you absolutely nailed it! Love the loud confident notes and slides, nicely fitting tone, too!

🎸JoLa

[Mike W]

Many thanks Jola, I’m glad you liked it. It took me a long time to work it out, but once I did so I’ve continued to play it every day – it’s such fun.

[Michael L]

Hi Mike, this was unique and fun! Love the surf vibe, and your tone was right on for it. I enjoyed it!

[Mike W]

Many thanks Michael, I’m glad you liked it. I can’t claim credit for the tone – the Fender LT25 amp comes with a Surf preset.

[Tom D]

Hey Mike:
It’s easy to see that this type of challenge is your favorite. That was a great composition and performance. Your timing, tone, and melodic lines capture the surf sound with amazing style. Love it! Cheers, Tom

[Mike W]

Thanks for your kind comments, Tom – I’m glad you liked it.

[Laurel C]

So glad someone has done ‘Surf’ guitar for a challenge, definitely had the Dick Dale vibe and you played it with confidence and style. It had all the components associated with surf, the whammy bar, the 6th string walk-up, lead lines etc. Hope there is more to come in this genre, really enjoyed this. Great work.

[Mike W]

Thanks for your very kind comments, Laurel – I’m glad you liked it.

[Manfred M]

Great idea to use this chord progression for a surf style composition, Mike. And your inner Dick Dale seems to be total active. Great surf vibe, and one thing is for sure, you know how to do that. That was fun!

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
This time we are going to have a 600th AM Lesson Celebration Meetup on December 21, 2024

For more information click here

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[Mike W]

Many thanks Manfred – I’m glad you liked it. See you Saturday.

[Martyn in France]

I was a big fan of The Ventures as a teenager and this brought back some happy memories. You played it all very well Mike.
Martyn

[Mike W]

Many thanks Martyn – I’m glad it brought back some memories – that’s one of the things that music should do.

[Serena C]

A very original and inspiring idea you had Mike with this surf-guitar style! 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)

[Mike W]

Many thanks Serena, I’m glad you liked it.

[Paul S.]

I agree with you that this kind of challenge brings out everyone’s best creative efforts, and yours was no exception. I thought the whammy bar was very appropriate for this kind of tune. Also, I feel your pain about syncing a separate sound track with the video. I suspect there is an easy and scientific way, but I haven’t found it. Anyway, nice music!

[Mike W]

Many thanks Paul – yes it wouldn’t really be Surf without the Bigsby, would it ?

[David H]

Love the lick at the :53 mark. Gotta go now and wax down my board.

[Mike W]

Thanks David, I’m glad you liked it. Guido thinks that lick was in the scale of E Melodic – he could well be right.

[Juxi]

Incredible how many different vibes can be created with just one chord progression. Thanks for contributing the surf vibe, Mike. Well done! 👍🏽👍🏽

Bluesige Grüße
Juxi

[Mike W]

Thanks Juxi, I’m glad you liked it. Yes, the variation in styles is amazing. It’s what keeps the Challenges interesting.

[John H]

Mike,
You nailed this. You got the vibe and played flawlessly. Love the reverb and the Bigsby thing. Really cool.
I think this is your best submission to date!
JH

[Mike W]

That’s really kind, John – thank you.

[Bob Utberg]

Great job Mike! You combined Carlos Santana, The Gypsy Kings, The Sufaris and Stevie Ray Vaughan all in one comp!
That last chord!!!!!????!!! Listen to Lenny by SRV!!! You NAILED it! (at 1:57)

Bob U. (aka Bobby Ut)

[Mike W]

Many thanks Bob, I’m really glad you liked it. Hope your hand is getting better.

[KenG]

Brought back memories Mike, very nice, and fun. Great job.

Never Stop Learning. Ever.

[Mike W]

Many thanks Ken – I’m glad it brought back some memories.

[Martin W]

Nice one Mike , you captured that surf vibe brilliantly and used the bigsby to great effect ,I also like this type of challenge it forces the creativity as you so well demonstrated.

Martin

[Mike W]

Many thanks Martin, for your kind comments. It wouldn’t be Surf without the Bigsby, would it ? It’s easy to overdo, though, I had to restrain myself.

[charjo]

Surf music, waht a great idea, Mike. It absolutely never occured to me and it totally worked. I would have loved to hear your solo combined with the awesome rhythm track.
John

[Mike W]

Many thanks John. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to come up with a backing track – maybe I’ll try and retrofit one.

[snakechisler]

cool idea loved the sound and the wet feel, It totally works in the challenge how unique

Thanks for sharing

[Mike W]

Many thanks for your kind comments, Greg.

[Jennifer D]

Oh yes I got the surf vibe with a very nice Spanish favour, I like it!

[Mike W]

Many thanks Jennifer, I’m really glad you liked it.

[donmati]

that’s surf-guitar, you’re in it right away. Tarantino pulp fiction atmosphere, very nice.

[Mike W]

Many thanks Don, I’m glad you liked it.

[Pap]

Mike, you naileddown the surf vibe…sounds great. Well played. Cheers, Pap

[Mike W]

Many thanks Pap – really glad you liked it.

[Author]

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