Hi All,
I have pleasure to present my next recording belonging to the category I call ‘etudes’, as it contains elements of what I have recently studied on guitar playing and the music theory in general. So, being a mini-composition, it also serves the purpose of putting theory into practice. In this ballad (the key of Am) I use a Bm7b5 instead of the usual subdominant (Dm) and a G#dim chord in place of the commonly used dominant E7 (in some sequences even an altered chord, Bb7b5). This also gave me the opportunity to include a diminished arpeggio in my solo.
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Hi Tomasz, that sounded really good mate.
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Beautiful ‘etude’ Tomasz…
your chordal progression is very tasteful & pleasant…
I say, “Tomasz, da capo!” - you go to the head of the class!!! 
Tod
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@Socio @Richard_close2u : thank you so much… I’m glad you liked it.
Tod - I certainly don’t deserve the promotion you suggest 
Nonetheless, I do appreciate your kind words and a positive opinion of my ‘etude’. Thanks a lot! 
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Wow Coda, that was nice. Impressive.
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That was beautiful Tomasz! Well done.
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You lost me in the theory explanation, but reeled me straight back in with the tasty playing and tune 
Bravo! 
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@Ontime @TheCluelessLuthier @brianlarsen Thank you so much, guys,very kind of you. It makes me really happy when even a handful of users here show their appreciation; that’s why I keep posting regularly (as allowed). Some cover will also come this month, to be sure.
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Really good Tomasz, super playing. A very laid back progression that I felt almost had a jazz feel to it. You can’t beat a diminished arpeggio.
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Thank you so much for the encouraging words, Gordon; I strive to include some interesting elements in my musical ‘miniatures’. When I use some chords with extensions or altered chords, they make me think of different scales than the usual pentatonics in my solo.
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That’s beautiful. I can see it as the music for a western movie set in Mexico starring Willie Nelson!
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Thank you so much! That’s really flattering… Perhaps I should also look at my own song differently; something like a quiet landscape with a lonely rider crossing the plain and some snow-capped mountains in the distance…
Very nice, Tomasz. Pleasing to the ear and very relaxing.
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You’re very welcome! I thought it had a bit of a Spanish flare to it as well. So maybe something in Mexico, New Mexico, Arizona or parts of Texas? That’s just my take. I can see the lone rider though, just trying to live a quiet life in peace. I think it’s a keeper tune. I’m going to listen to it again. Any objections to my recording it and playing it from time to time for my own enjoyment? I found it very soothing, calming, relaxing. For a minor key, it didn’t have a sad feel to it. More of a sounds to meditate feel to it. Thanks so much for sharing! Loved it.
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I just listened to your tune again, Tomasz. Am I hearing 2 guitars? Did you play one and record a 2nd track, or is it the echo of the amplifier/special effects?
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Jim, in reply to your questions - absolutely, feel free to record it and play to your liking, I’ll be honored, truly…
Secondly, yes, there are two guitar parts; the more delicate first track playing the chords, than the lead voice overdubbed. I tried to make it sound as if a guitar duo had played it. As for the effects, you are also right; I use time-based effects quite a bit; also modulation effects, such as chorus, flanger and vibrato or tremolo. Very rarely - any kind of overdrive, not to mention distortion. Not my cup of tea, really
Thanks again; your opinion matters to me a lot and is very encouraging in terms of my further recording perspectives.
Thanks Tomasz, I will. I really enjoyed listening to it.
Well performed, I enjoyed it! Im a sucker for ballads. Sounded nice, keep going!
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Thank you, Byron, glad you liked it! Next month there’ll be some blues! Already recorded…