HARMONIC METHENYISMS - "Modal Introductions" (Harmonic Passages & Phrases In The Style of Pat Metheny)

HARMONIC METHENYISMS - "Modal Introductions" (Harmonic Passages & Phrases In The Style of Pat Metheny)

In this harmonic series I will be exploring the many different chordal styles and approaches of the great guitarist Pat Metheny.

As the title suggests (Modal Introductions) these are small harmonic compositions that are ideal in building ideas on different ways in which we can use harmony as a sonic texture that can help us set up moods and transport us through different emotional dimensions when crafting intros and outros on songs.

The study consists of 3 "harmonic passages" that have been inspired by a particular style of chordal playing that Metheny has utilized over the years.

Passage #1 is inspired by Metheny's approach of minor modal intros and outros especially on tunes like A.C. Jobim's - "How Insensitive." The usage of quintal voicings and movable inner voices of harmonic clusters is a main focus here.

Passage #2 is inspired by Metheny's chordal approach when playing very lyrical ballads and it is inspired by the harmonic stylings of the song "Message to a Friend." The main focus here is a substitution of a major tonic chord for a half-diminished harmony a triton away that is very particular in the way that Metheny creates intricate bass motion and clever chord-inversion passages even over very simple harmonic changes.

Passage #3 is inspired by Metheny's approach on movable intervals in the inner voices of a harmony while using the bass and soprano note as a pedal-point, as well as the syncopation in the rhythmic approach to this style of chordal playing . This harmonic exploration is inspired by the intro of the song "Phase Dance."

Materials Included:

HARMONIC METHENYISMS - "Modal Introductions" study (PDF file - TAB and Standard Notation).

25 mins. "HD" Video Masterclass.

For more info please e-mail: hristo@hristovitchev.com