Previous Episode: “Echoes of Grace”
Episode III:
Having successfully beaten the Gatekeeper, you and Dan Thorpe…
Now find yourselves in the depths of the underground labyrinth, trying to escape the Acoustic Asylum for good.
Surrounding you are countless tunnels. Their depths veiled in impenetrable darkness.
“Which path should we take?” you inquire
Thorpe scratches his head and, in his English accent, says:
“We could take any tunnel, but that would just be like learning guitar without direction. Like I tell students, you always need a plan.”
…But then, in the centre of the cavern ancient engravings, on the stone floor capture your attention:
In the maze, a choice unfolds.
The 5-star path where music moulds.
Like Jeff Beck’s brilliance in every chime,
Before the full moon’s climb,
Go one star at a time.
“It’s a challenge,” says Thorpe.
“It’s saying we need to achieve the ‘5-star award’,” Thorpe enlightens you.
“You’re going to have to achieve the first of the five stars – tonight.”
“It has to be you,” Thorpe says.
“I’ve got to go back up and free the inmates. Plus, I can’t play with my hand oozing blood.”
Thorpe opens up his gig bag and hands you the…
“Capo of Confidence”
“Take this, it will guide you,” says Thorpe as he swiftly ascends the stairs. Promising to catch up with you as soon as he can, Thorpe turns one last time to say…
“Good luck, brave guitarist, may your strings stay forever in tune…
May your capo guide you through the wilderness of musical chaos.
Conquer the first star and start today and above all…”
“Have faith in yourself… You can do this.”
You take a deep breath as you vow to conquer this challenge.
You squeeze the capo, which emits a radiant light like a torch.
Shining brightly above each tunnel entrance, you see inscriptions…
Some feature the names of jazz chords.
Other tunnels show the names of Ed Sheeran songs (no thanks!)…
And the rest show the names of complex modes such as Phrygian and Lydian modes. (“Uh, forget that,” you think.)
…But there are two tunnels that appeal to you out of the 1000s.
Which entrance do you choose?
You must choose.
Tunnel 1 – “Take the 1-Star Challenge”
Tunnel 2 – “Play Like Hendrix in a Day”