AM February 2022 Challenge Response – Mike W

[Mike W]

Good day, Hope you are all well.

The Challenge was to compose a piece containing only C, F and G chords, with connecting runs etc. I took this to mean major chords. I came up with this short and fairly sweet tune, complete with the usual fluffs and hesitations.

A new thing for me was to overdub some chord sweeps using Audacity. It wasn’t totally successful, I struggled to get the balance right. For some reason it sounds much better through headphones – presumably the problem was with my laptop speakers.

Thank you for watching. I’m looking forward to hearing everyone’s submission. Here’s the link –

Keep safe.

[Martin W]

Hi Mike , a sweet tune for sure , nice idea starting on the higher register and then a cool connecting run to first position sets things up nicely , good use of CAGED shapes throughout.
Well played

Martin

[Mike W]

Thanks Martin, very kind words.

[Dieter]

The proof to make beautiful, effective music with a few notes and chords.

Dieter

[Mike W]

Thanks Dieter, I appreciate your kind comment.

[Mark T]

Very pretty composition, Mike, beautifully played 👍🎶

I listened through headphones, and it sounded fine! I’ve sometimes found my stuff sounded rubbish if I just changed headphones, let alone trying speakers – also, the TV has a life of its own as it adjusts for loud noises – oh, how we suffer for our art 🤓😊

[Mike W]

Many thanks, Mark.

[charjo]

So pretty, Mike. Your chord connections were terrific. Really nice tone, also.
John

[Mike W]

Thanks for your kind comments, John.

[Michael L]

Hi Mike, I really enjoyed this one. Your lines down in first position I thought were especially nice.

[Mike W]

Thanks, Michael. I don’t know where that melody came from – it just appeared.

[David S]

That was very enjoyable. I like the idea of starting in the upper register and then moving down the neck using the CAGED system. Nicely played.

David S.

[Mike W]

Many thanks David.

[Tim Read]

Nicely done the tone and changes up the neck in the opening section were very cool..

TimR

[Mike W]

Thanks Tim. Although the piece is in C I decided I want to start with an F chord. It seemed to work ok.

[James B]

A pretty tune with lush tones Mike. Sounds great through the headphones.

James

[Mike W]

Thanks James, I appreciate your comments.

[Reuben B]

Really nice tone from that guitar. I particularly like the chord connection starting 26s in the video.

[Mike W]

Many thanks Reuben.

[Phil B]

Well arranged with a transition from the top of the neck downwards as the tune progressed. You certainly hit the brief as far as using CAGED is concerned. Sounds great through my headphones.

[Mike W]

Many thanks Phil.

[Lights]

Sweet melody, Mike! Very good usage of the whole neck longitude.
Lights.

[Mike W]

Thanks Meelis, I appreciate your comments.

[sunjamr]

Pretty cool, Mike. You were all over that neck. Sounds fine on my speakers.

Sunjamr Steve

[Mike W]

Thanks Steve for your kind words.

[Garry]

Beautiful tune Mike on a beautiful looking and sounding guitar. Music always sounds better through headphones but this sounded just great on my little iPad. Loved the bass work too. All the best!

[Mike W]

Many thanks Garry, I appreciate your comments.

[JoLa]

Sweet little melody, Mike 🙂 I especially liked your descending intro and the matching ending. Very tasteful playing, sounded great (in my headphones)!

🎸JoLa

[Mike W]

Thanks for your kind words Jola.

[Richard G]

That sounded really sweet through my headphones Mike, the tone you achieved was an added bonus to the performance.

Richard

[Mike W]

Thank you Richard, I appreciate your comments.

[Alan K]

Nice use of triads Mike. Relaxing piece. Loved the transition into the bass lead runs.

[Mike W]

Thank you Alan.

[AndréM]

Nice composition.
Sweet and mellow.

AndréM

AndréM

[Mike W]

Many thanks Andre.

[Bruce D]

Hi Mike,
Nice playing, a very sweet tone on this one – well done.

Bruce

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

[Mike W]

Many thanks Bruce.

[Manfred M]

You really covered the whole neck, Mike. And you created a beautiful melody with so much musical taste. I enjoyed it.

[b]Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom.
The next Meetup will take place sometime in December/January.[/b]

There will be a detailed announcement here in the forum by beginning of december at the latest.

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[Mike W]

Thanks Manfred, you’re very kind.

[Scott M]

Beautifully put together melody delivered with the finesse that it deserves, excellent tone for the piece, well done Mike!

Scott

[Mike W]

Thanks for your kind words Scott.

[JFL]

Very nice composition Mike. The recording was good but could have been a little louder. Well done 👍

JFL

[Mike W]

Thanks J. I never seem to get the balance right.

[WBlues]

Very well played, Mike. You created a nice melody using the whole fretboard. Well done.

Play guitar just like you live; don't get bogged down in theory, it's just a tool without feeling.

Wilfried

[Mike W]

Thanks for your kind words Wilfried.

[Paul S.]

I listened while crunching on nacho chips but it still was clear and crisp and sweet. You gave it a nice light touch.

[Mike W]

Thanks Paul. Hope you enjoyed your chips.

[Bob Utberg]

Ok Mike, I realize the calendar says Feb 26th of this year 2022!! However, your AWESOME tune in C/F/G took me back to December and that great classic tune Silver Bells! You have it right there: C and F and G! Make your own arrangement my friend and show off for friends and family in 9 months! Loved it!!! Bob

Bob U. (aka Bobby Ut)

[Mike W]

Thanks Bob. Glad you liked it. I’ll look into the Silver Bells – I hadn’t noticed a similarity tbh.

[Enrico]

very melodic and nice sweet tone. loved how you connected the chords all over the neck, up to the high register. I really think this is what every aspiring guitarist should learn and master, before even thinking scales..
well done!

[Mike W]

That’s very kind Enrico, thank you.

[Don Patton jr]

Mike
I liked your intro and your walk down at the end of your arrangement! A smooth laid back vibe for sure. Nice one !👍

Don P

[Mike W]

Many thanks Don.

[Juxi]

Very well done, Mike. I liked your tasteful, delicate tune very much. Perfectly played, too – the fluffs were not noticeable and the occasional hesitation added to the sweetness of the melody. Well done!! 👍🏽
However you have to tell us, why the chair under the door knob is necessary… didn’t you get a “recording sign” recently? 🤔😉

Bluesige Grüße
Juxi

[Mike W]

Hi Juxi, thanks for your kind words. The chair is at the back of the room because when I’m playing I’m more comfortable on a tall stool. So I move the chair out of the way in front of the cupboard door.

[FergalT]

Sounds great to me! Very pretty tune and nice arrangement. Well done

[Mike W]

Thanks, Fergal.

[Pap]

Mike, nicely done. I like the slides you did with your ring and middle fingers. I will have to play around with that. Great job on this composition! Cheers. Pap.

[Mike W]

Many thanks Pap. That slide has become one of my favourite licks – it’s very useful.

[Serena C]

Nice submission Mike! I’ve also enjoyed the clean smooth sound!

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]

Thank you Serena.

[sciencefiction]

Great little ditty you came up with, Mike. I really liked how you made you introduction way high up there on the neck and then came down the neck for the second part. A very interesting composition with multiple enjoyable tones and melodies. And that electric guitar you used sounded so cool for this! Totally captured my interest.
Larry

[Mike W]

Thanks for your kind comments Larry. The Peerless is my favourite guitar – I think it’s probably the best one I’ve ever played.

[Tom D]

Your song is clear as a bell Mike. And the melody is soothing and so nice to hear. Really well done.

Cheers, Tom

[Mike W]

Thanks Tom, I appreciate your comments.

[David H]

Very well done my friend. Glad to see I am not the only one that likes to end a song on a high note!

[Mike W]

Many thanks David, glad you liked it.

[Phil67]

Nice work of the right hand, keeping the chord and sliding on a single string.
Composition is nice and melodic.

Where does the white go when snow melts?

[Mike W]

Many thanks Phil. That’s one of my favourite licks.

[Livio M]

Hi Mike
Very beautiful and not obvious delicate melody.
Good composition.

Livio

[Mike W]

Thanks Livio – I appreciate your comments.

[Andy N]

Great work Mike and sweet composition. I liked how you started in the higher register and then worked your way lower with those connecting runs. Well played.

[Mike W]

Thanks Andy, I appreciate your comments.

[John H]

Sweet and dulcet Mike… nicely done.

[Mike W]

Many thanks John.

[Jonathan Amos]

A pretty little tune played with a nice warm tone. I use Audacity, it’s easy to use and does everything I need and more!

Jonathan Amos, Matsuyama, Japan

The farther one travels the less one knows.

[Mike W]

Many thanks, Jonathan, I appreciate your comments.

[Author]

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