Sept 2024 Challenge – Sunjamr Steve

[sunjamr]

I bought a classical guitar almost 50 years ago, played it a few times, then work and life happened so I never touched it again. It just hung on my wall like a piece of art. Until now….

My composition changes time signature from 3/4 to 4/4 to 5/4, without ever changing the tempo. The 5/4 really messed with my head, and took me a few days to feel comfortable with. Of course I listened to Dave Brubeck’s incredible “Take Five” for inspiration, even though the chord sequence didn’t match at all with Dave’s.

By the way, those are the original strings on my classical guitar!

Sunjamr Steve

[Alan L]

That came out really nice Steve! Steady finger pick technique, tone is great, and just a beautiful overall sound. Clever idea to mix the meter too!

[Alan O]

Hi Steve, that sounded really good! Great idea and challenge to do the different time signatures. Guitar sounds great. It’s hard to believe those strings are 50 years old!

Alan

[AndréM]

That guitar sounds great with the old strings.
Nice rendition.

AndréM

AndréM

[Bill]

What a great idea to practice; changing time signatures with the same progression. This came out really good Steve, and the old strings and old guitar sound really nice. Very nice!

[Guido]

Wow, Steve, you still got the touch on the classical guitar after so many years and those strings aged very well and they sound great! Very clever and original idea, and what’s matter the most it sounded brilliant, and the final solo was the cherry on the cake! Great submission!

Guido

[Mike W]

Your submission is as innovative as ever Steve. The piece was really well thought out and played with your customary flair, and a wonderful tone. I wonder, did that guitar sound so good when you bought it 5o years ago?

[sunjamr]

That’s an interesting question. I think it sounds better now, but it could be my imagination. Maybe the strings have become hardened and petrified, so they transmit more energy to the soundboard. The neck and body seem to be in perfect condition, even though it has hung there fully stringed and under tension for so many years.

Sunjamr Steve

[Mike W]

I think the whys and wherefores of the maturing of guitars is science all of its own – fascinating really.

[Gary W]

Best thing I’ve heard you do I think Steve. Really nice. Well played.

Gary

[Michael L]

Hi Steve, I was listening to you play and thinking I liked the 3/4 time best… the melody on top, then underneath, the chords. Then you hit the 5/4 section and WOW! It really jumped! It was unique and exciting, and the second guitar topped it of so nicely. I really enjoyed this. Hope we can hear your classical guitar more often now.

[JoLa]

Poor guitar, 50 years on the wall! So glad you finally revived it and it sounded great. I heard nylon strings get better as they age. In fact, I never changed the strings on mine either and I bought it second-hand in 2019 so who knows how old those strings are as well, haha! Not sure if you ever had any classical training but I love the transitions you played between the chords, mainly the bass notes! The sweet solo at the end in the 5/4 tempo was a cherry on top 🍒👏

🎸JoLa

[Juxi]

That sounded great, Steve. I had no idea that 50 year old strings can sound so well Wow!
Brilliant idea to change time signatures. That lead to a very clever, interesting and educational performance. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Bluesige Grüße
Juxi

[Andre H]

Beautiful. The nylon strings work will with this chord progression!

[Manfred M]

You may have neglected her, but you still know, how to play your classical guitar, Steve. Interesting idea, to do it in different time signatures. But you succeeded to keep up the soul of your composition in every part.

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup will be in spring 2025

There will be a detailed announcement here in the forum a few weeks before.

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[Martyn in France]

That was so well played Steve. I especially enjoyed the Brubeck inspired 5/4 time part. Amazing sound from those old strings.
Martyn

[Dieter]

Great idea – exact rhythm changes are very imtportant.

Dieter

[Serena C]

Wow Steve! I’m really impressed, not only because you played your “neglected” classical guitar so well, but because your tempo changes ideas were brilliant, 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)

[John H]

Steve,
This is impressive. One of your best! I appreciate the clarity and simplicity (although it doesn’t sound simple) that you created and played this. I love a nylon string guitar. Great tone.

JH

[Andy N]

A really imaginative response to the challenge Steve. The back to back changes of the meter with the unchanged tempo is one of the clearest demonstrations of how time signature affects the sound that I’ve ever seen.
And 50 year vintage strings to boot! They’ve aged like a fine wine!
By coincidence I was learning Peter Gabriel’s “Solsbury Hill” the other day which has a time signature of 7/4. So I can appreciate some of that brain strain you had with 5/4 🤯

[sunjamr]

Wow, thanks for reminding me of that. I was sure some rocker had done a song in 7/4, but I couldn’t remember which one….and that was it! I would have included some 7/4 if I had remembered that.

Sunjamr Steve

[JoLa]

Pink Floyd’s Money is in 7/4
🙂

🎸JoLa

[sunjamr]

That’s true, I can hear it in my head!

Sunjamr Steve

[Paul S.]

This is one of those cases where the instrument and the music being played on it are perfectly matched. You gave the composition a slight Greek or Mediterranean sound that, dare I say, was enhanced by the vintage guitar. Nicely done. A one-ah and a two-ah…

[David H]

Oh my, simply delightful.

[Bob Utberg]

Hey Mason Williams -I mean Steve!!! Simply pure and beautiful in the style of Classical Gas!!
With a sprinkling of Ain’t No Sunshine. How are you my friend? Doing ok health-wise – if I may ask! Be well my friend

Bob U. (aka Bobby Ut)

[sunjamr]

Bladder cancer is in remission for the moment. I will still have to have immunotherapy treatments for several more years, maybe forever. But that’s not so bad. Uncomfortable, inconvenient, but not really that painful. And it doesn’t affect my hands or my brain at all, so I’m good to go for guitar playing.

Sunjamr Steve

[Tom D]

Love your approach to this challenge Steve. It’s fascinating to hear you work both the fingerstyle melody and the time signature … and play a really beautiful song. Also impressive that you can play the changes so seamlessly. The second guitar part added so much to the 5/4 time. I’ve played the rhythm part on Take Five in the past and it’s a thrilling experience – I got the same feeling from your performance. Very well done. Tom

[KenG]

Steve, that was enjoyable. Guitar sounds great

I listened to it twice. Because newbie me doesn’t understand 3/4, 4/4 5/4. And I wanted to try to hear the difference. I did definitely hear it. Can’t say I understand the concept very well. But that will come in time. I may watch it a few more times, so thanks.

You are really talented to be able to do that. Thanks fir sharing.

Never Stop Learning. Ever.

[Denise]

Very enjoyable classical composition! Bravo!!!! Your fingerstyle playing sounds great…and sophisticated.
I like how you always challenge yourself with new styles.
Loved it.
Denise

More Blues!

[Martin W]

Very creative composition especially with the different time signatures
Sounds timeless on that old nylon string “ if it ain’t broke don’t fix it “
Really a well thought out piece love those connecting bass fills .
Excellent !

Martin

[Laurel C]

Impressive playing Steve. Sounded awesome and the timing added an extra interest. I think those old strings were made to last. I had to replace a nylon string which snapped on its own accord recently, had not lasted 12 months.

[snakechisler]

Very nice reminds me I should play my classical more often have a few modern piece tabs so no real excuse other than lazy days and Sundays.

Nice switch of signatures and crisp playing, thanks for sharing

[charjo]

Very innovative and some great finger picking, Steve. I really like the feel of the 3/4 although the 5/4 was very interesting change from the usual.
John

[Jennifer D]

Oh Steve I really liked the 1 & 2 & 3 4 5 rhythm you played. The classical guitar sounds great, I have one myself although I need a lot more practice.

[donmati]

Thank you Steve for this lesson in rhythm. You mastered it super well, my preference for 3/4 on this chord progression. Very good choice also for the guitar with that warm and melodious sound.

Don mati

[Pap]

Great idea Steve! I played around with this chord progression quite a bit and realized I could do a lot with it. Nice idea playing with the timing. Cheers, Pap

[Author]

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