I just want to tell you what impact Rick Beato´s Pat Metheny interview had on me: signed up for Apple music to listen to all of Pat´s music, got the Beato ear training, bought the Metheny Real Book, joint a local music center to finally learn to play my sax by ear and to improvise, saw Pat Metheny Side Eye in May 22 in Bielefeld, plan to see Side Eye again in Vienne, France in July and got a ticket for Rick Beato Passionskirche Kreuzberg in October.

Pat Metheny is so distinct and identifiable. Lyle Mays keyboards contributions are absolute gifts. Such a talent. (RIP) Together their work just transported me. All of Pat Metheny’s music affects me on a deep level. Thank you Rick.

One of the greatest composers/performers of our time!

Pat plays this with such total control, accuracy and fluidity. It's hard as hell to play this so it sounds right. I've even seen other very strong jazz players struggle with this. Pat is a global treasure and has made this world a better, more musical place. (RIP, Lyle Mays).

I don’t know if I’m alone on this, and I haven’t heard all his albums, but I’m most moved by his album Secret Story. Always and Forever in particular really touches me.

His collaboration with David Bowie back in 85 " This is not America" what a tune!

I saw Pat demo the Synclavier at Berklee. He had just done the same in NYC. He told a story something like, “I wear glasses, actually contact lenses, but I don’t like to use them much when I play. A few days ago in NYC I was doing the same thing I am now and asked for someone to come up to the mic and sing so that I could sample it with the Synclavier and then play it all over the neck of the guitar. But I didn’t look up and couldn’t see who it was.” Then he played. It was the distinctive voice of James Taylor! I was in heaven.

Ok, first, you picked James by Pat Metheny. The joy in my heart that you picked THIS song AND then broke it down and I ACTUALLY understood what you are talking about. Playing the changes, arpeggiating simplified chords... THANK YOU RICK! Its my opinion that Pat is hands down the most valued living music treasure in my life right next to composer John Williams. Thank you again Rick. This is my favorite video youve done followed by Nuno interview. Keep it up my friend. We love this :)

i've covered this tune for years with my band on a cruiseship. One of my favourites.

Pat and his trio played the Rochester International Jazz Festival last night. As with previous times, all I could do was sit there in my nice box seat and look down into a world only Pat Methany lives in. Thank You Rick for trying to help us see into this space. I have studied the guitar all of my life, under some of the finest teachers there are, many of whom you know here in Rochester. I have worked to develop the dexterity to draw music from this demanding instrument through practice, theory and attention to detail and there are times when it almost seems like for a moment, music allows me that rare sense of passing through me and showing itself to the world. That moment is so fleeting for most of us. Yet to see Pat interact with music in a way most of will never experience, you get a sense that he was put here on this earth to serve one purpose. I truly believe nature provides itself channels through which it displays it's most fundamental forces, whether that be visual art, mathematics, or music, to name just a few. Pat Methany is, in our lifetime, a living pathway through which music finds it's way into the world. In my opinion, there is simply no one else alive at this time like him.

My favorite of his is It’s For You. I first heard it when I saw the movie Fandango in the 80s. It’s never left my soul since. I made sure it was playing in the room when my daughter was born.

Rick should feature The First Circle soon.

Having struggled to follow some of Rick’s teaching in the past, tonight, I finally managed to follow and understand this lesson. Just goes to show that perseverance and repetition helps things to slowly sink in.

James is named after James Taylor. Years ago I sat behind Pat at a James Taylor concert. My eyes were on Pat way more than on James!! Pat had just played a concert in Boston, that I attended, that ended his tour. A day or so later JT was in town. Pat is a big fan of James Taylor. I can see why. James is intelligent, super musical, musically accurate (pitch, timing, tone), lyrical, melodic, distinctive - all things Pat prioritizes.

Yea I think Off-ramp is a really underrated album! When I first heard James I was so blown away with the simplicity of beauty! I love the vibe of that whole album! Nice video Rick!

I love everything Pat Metheny! I miss Lyle Mays so much, was able to see PMG 4 times with Lyle

As falls Wichita, so falls Wichita Falls is my fave Metheny tune but there are so many collaborations with Lyle Mays that were just so beautiful. Thanks Rick for reminding the world of Metheny's genius!

As Pat plays in such a different universe that I do, is a bit about his music, but to hear Rick talk ABOUT music with such a charming cool and personable guy like Pat makes the interview worth watching over and over….Ive lost count of how many times Ive watched the Bernard Purdie interview, Marty Friedman and Pat are a close second and third…and my playing is getting better by listening to this channel…Im hearing notes and intervals I never heard before. Thank you Mr Beato!!! Your channel is working💜

Right after this formation, Pat Metheny hired Pddro Aznar, an Argentine bassist who's arguably the greatest one we've had down here. By the time he was playing with the group, he also recorded an exceptional album with Charly Garcia in New York: Clics Modernos. That album is now one of the finest works in Spanish rock out there, and it shaped the music to come in that language afterwards. I really recommend you giving a listen to it Rick, or any work by Charly Garcia :)

Pat said this was written in honor of James Taylor. To me though, it sounds like it should be for Bob James. It has elements of Angela (Taxi theme) that are very evident. If you get a chance to interview him again, please clear that up :) Great video.

When I play this song I can feel the mood of the room go up up up. I learned so much from Pat's instruction when talking to Rick about James. Pat is a national treasure and so is Rick. Such joy in this music.

Thank you Rick. IMHO Pat is our greatest living musician. You are good Rick to spotlight this awseome Pat tune. You may keep up the Pat Metheny episodes, probably only 200 more.

Pat Metheny is such a world treasure. Love his brilliance and style. Such technique. One of the best shows I've ever seen was The Pat Metheny Group in a small club in Houston back in 78. Simply amazing to see them play live, especially being about 15 feet from them. Gotta love those old small venues. Jaco is my favorite and was incredible to see it played live. Unbelievable musicians. RIP Lyle Mays. Such a loss. Thank you Rick for doing so much for music! You too, are a world treasure! Thx

I saw Pat Metheny Group in Stockholm 1985. I will maybe see him again after all these years, but I would love to see a full band even though Lyle Mays is missing and maybe Pedro Aznar can’t participate. It was so special. I can’t pick a tune as “the greatest”. I’m not a musician, can’t play any instrument except drums on my legs and in the kitchen and air guitar, but have worked with musicians for many years doing record covers.

My favorite Matheny song. You instinctively know this song is magic. The song is unique, but accessible. It's jazz, but with a mainstream feel to it. And the melody of this piece is just so enjoyable to listen to. It's a masterclass of compelling songwriting.

Saw him at the Ravinia on June 20th. Still has his chops at 69 years of age.

That interview with PM was GREAT!!!!!

This is my favorite PM tune (second fav is also on “Offramp”, “Are you going with me?”) I’ve been trying trying to figure this out for 30 years and the Professor just broke it down in a 45 minute video! Thank you Rick!

Killer album. I always thought “Are you going with me?” was his/their best song.

I was turned on to PMG around 2004 and though I cannot play like him, he definitely wormed into my brain and playing. So good, so consistent, so rare

I saw PM about a dozen times in the early group years. There was a magic and innocence in his and the group's playing and writing then. Pat was just an amazing guitar player then, not the virtuoso he now is, and there was still much of the heartland in his playing. There was an organic feel to his music then that I miss. But I am very happy I got to see and hear it then.

Absolutely my favorite Pat melody. The solos on the studio recording, Lyle following Pat are remarkable. May have listened to that recording more than any other tune ever. Thanks for this. Beautiful.

I discovered Pat by seeing his first album in a used record store and so it looked cool so I snagged it. That was about 1977. Been a nut for him since then.

My most favourite piece of music ever. Thank you.

The song “You” from the Pat Metheny Group album Speaking Of Now is his greatest tune IMO. Rick should analyze it - very advanced harmony and structure but so beautiful. Amazing wordless vocal by Richard Bona on there. Rick seems stuck on early Metheny but he should delve into some of the later albums First Circle, Still Life Talking, Letter From Home, Secret Story, The Way Up, etc.. Pat’s recent album from 2020 From This Place is a masterpiece.

I just saw Pat tonight at the Rochester International Jazz Festival. I wonderful show, he covered a great amount of territory. I was reflecting on his abilities and musical contributions and think he can be considered one of the greatest living jazz musicians. What do you think?

My favorite song from my favorite album. Used to catch him live at Ryles in Inman Square Cambridge way way back in the early days. Pure genius.

Pat is my music hero. Always and Forever is one of my favorite of his. I read that that this piece is for parents. Listening to this song makes you feel how deeply he feels for them. It's one of the most moving piece of music I heard.

Rick, thanks for breaking down "James"... now I'm going to have to learn it...🙏

To me Travels is just everything. Simple and just defines how to make a five star meal. My go to tune.

Holy cow! Did I really buy Offramp 40 years ago? On vinyl! I played Au Lait and James a lot!

It's really C#/E# in this key, it's the V of the F#- that immediately follows in the 5th bar of the bridge.

That Db/F should actually be written C#/E#, that matches the parallel movement better

Rick I saw Terje Rypdal and band (Patrice Heral, Markus Stockhausen, Arild Andersen) at Berlin's Passion Church in 2000. I predict you'll love it there -- a supremely beautiful space for live music.

Just saw Pat the other night with Side Eye at Rochester Jazz Fest, Eastman Theater! So good, he is a musical hero of mine and at 68 is playing better than ever. He played a bit of James in a medley.

There's a version of James on youtube with just Pat, bass & drums live. Such an amazing flow on that version.

Great breakdown! I just listened to the earliest bootleg I have of James from 17 November 1979 at Hofstra. I have a few others from around the same time. It's certainly more laid back than on the Offramp album, but not a lot slower. There's so much joy in Pat's playing this brand new tune. He's clearly proud of it, and there's no surprise it's his most popular tune. It's not his greatest in my opinion, but it's going to be the tune that forever defines his music.

I used to be terrified of "Scary Chords" before I had lessons. I understand now. great video as usual .

I love the concept of 'shedding, over modulations and changes. Being a trombone player I find this daunting, yet I've found massive success playing and transcribing Bach. Something I'm sure Rick can appreciate being a fan of Bach too. I'll play an entire cello solo on my horn for hours before getting after what I need to work on.

Saw Pat back in mid 90's. Great show!

Can't wait to see you in Atlanta

'So It May Secretly Begin' is my personal fav. Oh, and 'Are You Going With Me?'

Thanks for reminding me of Pat w/ those nice chords on a a rainy Friday. My fave tune of his is April Joy, for the loose playing and perfect resolution throughout. Rock on!

I worked at a pub in Argentina and every single time we played Pat's Last train home this one waitress would start bawling her eyes out. After this happened twice we stop playing it while she was on shift. Pat's talent and gift to tune into the most subtle and transform it into song is unparalleled. Thank you for helping us further appreciate the beauty of Pat's spirit.

The first couple of bars of Lyle's solo is ok too ;)

Hi Mr. Beato! thanks a lot for this video, in fact I was begining to study these Pat Metheny song a couple of months ago, it is an amazing tune. I'm going to continue to study now with the informations that you give here... Greetings from Valparaíso, Chile!

Great tune. I like some of the later versions when they switched to Paul Wertico

I'm really looking forward to seeing you live in Berlin. The Passionskirche is a wonderful place where I have already experienced great concerts. I live only a few hundred meters away.

Joni Mitchell opened the door for fusion ‘74 - ‘79. Pat, Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, Tom Scott & Jaco owe it all to Court & Spark.

Just saw him in KC on the 15th. Fantastic concert and he is a jazz legend and a living encyclopedia of jazz history. Thank you so much for putting this out and showing how to play his music.

One of my favorite Metheny tunes!

Without hearing any of the original tune, this is hard to understand. I know the song, but that is really needed here. Grew up on Pat

My favorite kind of videos!!!! Thank you Rick

13:36 It’s more like Bach than Miles. Miles played chords via playing arpeggios but most often not by playing simple triads. He also played various patterns, upper-structure triads, and emphasized notes above the 7th. So just thinking of this not like jazz but like Bach starts you off in a better direction. Then getting simple triads or simple triadic arpeggios together next to each other - with ease - will give you the road on which to create your solo. Get used to the road. It’s like a Highway with high walls. Restrictive but once you get it then you have freedom. And it sounds awesome.

Great video Rick. Really brought me back to when the album came out. I used to play this tune with a friend.

You are showing how smart and good you are. Great. Tab it And show the majority of your subs how to play it

For decades I would listen to the album and wonder why I always replayed this song again and again. It’s so joyful, but PM’s solo is one of my favorites.

Just saw Pat's show the other night! Man his fingers were flying! Incredible performance by one of the GOAT's!

The audio and video are way out of sync. Getting seasick trying to watch it…

Love your channel and your interview with PM. That was really so special. And wonderful to watch this video of you playing and explaining PM's song! Thank you.

Great tune, love the bridge! Now your guitar sounds too real, you need to add a touch of reverb, a touch!

So enthralling. Thank you Rick Beato for showing us so clearly the great mechanic of those great songs...

I just learned this. I got several versions. You're right, what a great composition. And the movement in the bridge is very Bachish, you're right again. Learning thos gave me a whole new appreciation for it. It is so ingenious!!!

I’ve heard this countless times since Offramp came out in 1982 and Pat and Lyle’s solos on that recording still sound as fresh as the first time I heard them way back when. Great, great, tune.

I’m so excited to come see you in my home town in Sweden!

Nice! I'm a guitarist working this out on piano right now, so it's fun to see your breakdown! It's a great brain-teaser, and a gorgeous tribute to James Taylor. PS: the intro is really nice, too. Btw, my fave Pat tune is First Circle, but this one's right up there.

Would love a breakdown of First Circle.

Another great video, Rick! Your interview with Metheny was heads and shoulders over any other interview I've heard with him! In many of his interviews he sometimes tends to be a bit "philosophical" and talking more about the "big picture" - which is also interesting, . The way you made him be concrete and with the good anecdotes, was simply great! (As with Jarrett, Sco etc). As for James, you mention that he plays it quite fast on Offramp. I think it's way slower on Offramp than on many of his later trio versions, and in my opinion the original has a nice laid back feeling that makes it a bit different and more relaxed than most other versions I've heard. And the piano intro by Mays is also worth mentioning when it comes to that version. This tune was the first tune that really made med aware of Metheny in the mid 80's, and especially the beautiful harmonic movement of the bridge - without then having the faintest ide of what was going on there theoretically! Even though Methenys solo mainly deals with arpeggios and mainly staying within the chords, I think the orirginal version really shows his genious when it comes to motivic development and creating a story through those changes. Even though it may be simple to play through those changes by simply playing on the chord tones, developing the ideas through them the way Methenys does, is a completely different story! Keep up the great work!!!

"First Circle" is not only my fave Metheny song, it's my favorite song period!

''Passionskirche'' was absolutely correctly pronounced, fear not! 😊 Hope all your gigs will be a blast. Greetz from north Germany!

Love this song and will work on it! Thank you.

just love these breakdown sessions. a lot of information to digest over weeks of practice at home. tks rick!

Great video Rick! Just one thing about "making the changes". I remember a bootleg recording of Pat giving a private lesson where he said that the goal is "telling the changes" and not only "making the changes".

In the entire history of music, by far the most under appreciated song as to its listener perceived difficulty is James. Knowledgeable musicians would rate this amongst the hardest pieces of music ever conceived.

I believe that Pat heard „That’s why I’m here“ which inspired him to write „James“. It has a very similar harmonic structure and chord sequence. Even melodic similarities!

Wow, just saw Metheny in NYC a couple days ago! He was as great as ever!

I remember seeing him when this first came out (Cullen Auditorium in Houston) and I remember that he clearly remarked that JT was not too impressed - which drew a rousing chorus of boos from the audience. I believe that's changed in the intervening years, but thought it interesting and I think of that every time I hear the song.

Great lesson on “James”! I can’t wait to learn it and practice it using your triad technique on the bridge, and listen to Pat’s versions.

"And I Love Her"... @ 9:27. Amazing analysis as per usual amigo. Great playing, all of it. :)

Last Train Home...my old sign off at an FM station I dejayed at in the 80's and 90's

Thank you for featuring this magical tune.

Pat's collaboration with David Bowie on the soundtrack of Falcon and the Snowman, was my favorite. " This is not America" still pertains to how it's going today. Definitely my favorite!!

Top of my list of PM favorites

I have been trying to master this song for a year and the turnaround to get back to the head is so different every time I hear it as he improvises with diad fills to get back to the DM7. I struggle with making it flow still trying to get the feel of it. It's not hard but it's not easy either. Great lesson and you have a better chart than me..

🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 What more can I say, after 41 years, this song still tickles my ears.

My all-time favorite Pat Metheny song :)

Thx for this breakdown. I recognised the tune from Martin Taylor’s Spirit of Django album (1994-ish) which has a really inspiring version of this song.

We all really know that unicorns, the easter bunny, susquatch, the greatest pat metheny song all have one thing in common - they don't exist. There are just waaaaaaay too many great PM songs to pin one down. James is definitely a crazy ridiculously amazing song. But there are so so many. One of my favorite artists. Just when you think you have listened all of the greatness out of a song, lo and behold, you hear it again and it is fresh and new once again. Just amazing.

Thank you Rick!❤

Top song has to be “San Lorenzo” from his his 1978 self-titled “Pat Metheny Group” and is one of my all time favorite albums. 2nd favorite of his albums has got to be 2014 “Kin”…. it doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. He’s in my Top 5 all time favorite artists…. Closer to top 3 really! He’s a fantastic musician and composer.