Pat Metheny
is probably
the most influential
guitarist of the
1980's and 1990's. He reinvented the traditional "jazz
guitar"
sound for a new generation of players.
He's been awarded a honorary doctorate by Berklee College of Music and
received seventeen (yes, that's right) Grammy's!
He has the
ability to expresse "modern
ideas" that
are still very much anchored in jazz tradition. His guitar
playing is deeply grounded in melody, swing and the blues.
Gear and Playing Style
Metheny's
virtuosity
and technique is very unusual.
Watch him play a little (on YouTube or DVD's of live concerts.)
You'll notice unorthodox picking (round
end of the pick) and fretting techniques
(thumb over the neck)!
Yet, he can play in different styles and
still shine in many musical ways.
Pat's
outstanding
improvising
skills also allow him to "blow"
over anything... (chord progressions,
time signature, style, tempo etc.)
[byt the way,
it is often said that he used to learn a
whole lot of Wes Montgomery
solos in
his teenage years.]
... and on many
instruments!
(such a guitar synthesizers, 42-string guitar and other exotic
instruments).
His solos over
jazz and
pop/folk/rock influenced songs always carry the "Metheny" trademark
voice and sound.
From his standards jazz trio to very
large ensembles, Pat's guitar improvisations are always breathtaking
and heart-melting.
Metheny's main
guitar
for straight-ahead jazz playing is the PM-100 manufactured by Ibanez.
He also uses a variety of other guitars.
His amp and effect rig depends largely
on the musical situation.
He recorded one of his greateast trio album (with Dave Holland and Roy
Haynes) in studio with a simple "guitar,cable and amp,
no-frills" kind of setup!
