In this episode, influential guitarist Pat Metheny talks about what makes an icon, the importance of devotion to music, and why the drummer is top dog. He also shares insights on choosing collaborators, owning Wes Montgomery's guitar, and how his entire life's work is 'all one tune'.
Maintaining a unique artistic vision and direction is crucial in music.
A strong melodic approach combined with clarity of expression is essential in music.
Dedication, humility, and finding one's own voice are key to success as a professional musician.
Deep dives
Importance of staying true to oneself in music
In this podcast episode, Pat Matheny discusses the importance of maintaining a unique artistic vision and direction. He shares insights from his own experiences and mentions artists like Paul Clay and Wes Montgomery as inspirations. Matheny emphasizes the significance of representing oneself authentically in music and strives to reflect his personal values and love for the art form through his compositions and performances.
The role of melody and clarity in music
Matheny discusses the significance of melody in music and its ability to convey a narrative and evoke emotions. He believes that a strong melodic approach, combined with clarity of expression, is essential in music. Drawing inspiration from musicians like Lester Young, Wes Montgomery, and Miles Davis, Matheny emphasizes the importance of playing with feeling and giving each note a clear purpose.
The challenges of being a musician
Matheny shares insights into the challenges and rewards of being a professional musician. He discusses the dedication and commitment required to excel in the field, emphasizing the importance of humility and continuous improvement. Matheny also encourages aspiring musicians to find their own voice and goals in music, rather than following trends or seeking validation from others.
The value of music as a universal truth
Matheny reflects on the power and value of music as a universal language. He highlights the uniqueness of music in its ability to reflect truth and communicate emotions without the limitations of other human experiences. Matheny sees music as a tangible expression of a deeper reality and encourages people to appreciate and engage with music as a profound and authentic form of human expression.
The Decision to Use Jocko on Bright Size Life
When Pat Metheny had the opportunity to make a record for ECM, he was initially suggested to use Jack DeJohnette and Dave Holland instead of Jocko Pastorius. However, Gary Burton, who was instrumental in getting Metheny the opportunity, advised him not to rush into making a record and to focus on creating the best possible debut album. Gary also recommended using Jocko, who was relatively unknown at the time. Metheny took the advice and ended up recording with Jocko, which led to the creation of the album Bright Size Life.
Playing with a Click Track
Metheny discusses his use of click tracks on stage and the importance of maintaining a steady tempo while allowing for a slight rush. He mentions his early experimentation with music technology and his desire to achieve a rhythmic feel that is often found in saxophone and trumpet players but not typically associated with guitar players. Metheny explains that playing with a click track can help create a steady tempo and a hypnotic effect, but it should also allow for slight variations to prevent a rigid, robotic sound.
The master on what makes an icon, why devotion to music pays dividends, and why the drummer is top dog, plus choosing the best collaborators, owning Wes Montgomery’s guitar, and why his entire life’s work is “all one tune.”
