Tutorial and tab of Message To A Friend as performed by Pat Metheny live at the Mountain Winery, Saratoga, Ca. in July 21-23 1998, during the “Imaginary Day” tour with Pat Metheny Group. Standard tuning.
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About “Message To A Friend”
“Message To A Friend” is one of the most touching and intimate pieces in the extensive repertoire of Pat Metheny, one of the most influential guitarists and composers in contemporary music. Its strength lies in its apparent simplicity, which conceals emotional depth and sophisticated harmonic construction.
Brief History of the Song
The song was written by Pat Metheny, and in some versions, it’s co-credited to John Scofield or Charlie Haden, depending on the specific collaborations. First time it appeared in 1994 in the album “I Can See Your House From Here” (Blue Note), played with John Scofield, with the title “Message To My Friend”. However, the most famous and widely recognized version is featured on the 1997 album “Beyond the Missouri Sky (Short Stories),” a duet recording with the legendary bassist Charlie Haden.
Metheny himself has stated that “Message to a Friend” was composed with Charlie Haden in mind, a long-time friend and collaborator with whom he shared a profound musical and personal bond. This is reflected in the intimacy of the piece, which sounds like a sincere and affectionate conversation between two musicians who know each other deeply.
“Pat Metheny’s – Message To A Friend – was written with Charlie in mind. – The way the bass line moves on this is very Charlie-ish, – declares Pat. – I had originally written this for the record I did with John Scorield. At one point there was talk about Charlie doing that record, too, so I was thinking of him.” [from notes published in the CD “Beyond the Missouri Sky (Shoert Stories)” – Charlie Haden Pat Metheny – 1997 – Verve Records ]
The version on “Beyond the Missouri Sky” is particularly significant for its acoustic nature and its ability to convey a “human breath” through the interaction between Metheny’s guitar and Haden’s bass, creating an atmosphere of nostalgia and tranquility.
“Message To A Friend” by Pat Metheny with Charlie Haden
The piece is often described as introspective and contemplative, capable of evoking feelings of peace and reflection. Its beauty lies in the delicate melody and rich harmonies, which unfold with fluidity and grace.
Interpretations
- Pat Metheny (with Charlie Haden) – “Beyond the Missouri Sky (Short Stories)” (1997): This is the definitive version and likely the most beloved by audiences. The Metheny-Haden duo creates a sublime musical dialogue, where every note is imbued with feeling and understanding. The acoustic approach highlights the melody and the interplay between the two instruments, making it an extremely intimate and personal listening experience.
- Pat Metheny (with John Scofield): Although there isn’t an official album that attributes co-composition to Scofield, there are live performances where Metheny has played the piece in different contexts, sometimes mentioning Scofield. These versions might present different nuances, perhaps with a more jazz-fusion leaning that often characterizes Scofield’s work.
- Pat Metheny in live performances (solo or with various ensembles): Metheny has often included “Message to a Friend” in his live setlists, both in solo acoustic guitar versions and with larger ensembles like the “Side-Eye Trio.” Live interpretations can vary, showcasing Metheny’s versatility in reinterpreting the piece while maintaining its emotional essence. On some occasions, he has transformed the song from a duet to a solo acoustic guitar piece, highlighting its folk-blues nature.
About Pat Metheny
Pat Metheny, born in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, in 1954, is a world-renowned American jazz guitarist and composer. He’s celebrated for his unmistakable style, which is both orthodox and innovative. His sound is characterized by a soft, beautiful tone, often achieved by using the neck pickup of his hollow-body jazz electric guitar (initially a Gibson ES-175, then his signature Ibanez PM250 model). His music often evokes a mystical and evocative atmosphere, reminiscent of the vast American landscapes.
The Collaboration with Lyle Mays and the Pat Metheny Group
One of the most significant and enduring collaborations in Metheny’s career was with keyboardist and composer Lyle Mays. The two met at the Wichita Jazz Festival in 1975, sparking a deep artistic partnership. Mays, with his ability to blend acoustic and electronic sounds, particularly his pioneering use of the Oberheim synthesizer, became an integral part of the sound they would develop together.
In 1977, Metheny and Mays, along with bassist Mark Egan and drummer Danny Gottlieb, founded the Pat Metheny Group. This ensemble quickly became a benchmark in the international jazz scene, evolving a distinctive sound that combined elements of jazz, fusion, Brazilian music, and world influences. The Pat Metheny Group released numerous critically acclaimed albums, winning an impressive 10 Grammy Awards, including an unprecedented seven consecutive wins for seven consecutive albums. Albums like Pat Metheny Group (1978), American Garage (1979), Offramp (1982), and Still Life (Talking) (1987) solidified their reputation, showcasing complex compositions, rich arrangements, and telepathic interplay among the members. Their sound was marked by captivating melodies, sophisticated harmonies, and an innovative use of technology, often creating cinematic soundscapes.
Boundless Collaborations and Diverse Projects
Beyond the Pat Metheny Group, Metheny has demonstrated extraordinary versatility and an openness to exploring a wide range of musical genres, collaborating with world-renowned jazz musicians and artists from various fields. Among his numerous collaborations, notable names include:
- Jaco Pastorius: The legendary bassist contributed to his debut album, Bright Size Life (1976), helping to define his initial sound.
- Ornette Coleman: Metheny delved into more experimental territory with the free jazz pioneer on the album Song X (1986).
- Herbie Hancock, Jack DeJohnette, Charlie Haden, Brad Mehldau, John Scofield, Michael Brecker, McCoy Tyner, Jim Hall: These are just some of the iconic jazz figures with whom Metheny has recorded and performed, showcasing his ability to adapt and innovate in diverse contexts.
- David Bowie: One of his most surprising collaborations was co-writing the track “This Is Not America” for the film The Falcon and the Snowman (1985), demonstrating his ability to cross over into the pop world.
- Joni Mitchell: Metheny contributed to her live album Shadows and Light (1980), where Mitchell’s classic songs were rearranged with a jazz sensibility.
Pat Metheny interview to NEA Jazz Masters (2018)
Solo Guitar Work
Regarding his solo guitar production, Metheny stands out for his conceptual and varied works. Unlike his recordings with the Pat Metheny Group, his solo albums don’t have the typical “American fusion” feel and feature unique concepts, production systems, and arrangements. Each of his solo works explores different musical tastes, moods, and structures.
Among the albums that highlight his solo guitar or feature a reduced lineup, you can find:
- Bright Size Life (ECM, 1976): Although it’s a trio album (with Jaco Pastorius on bass and Bob Moses on drums), it’s his debut and fundamental for understanding his early sonic explorations with the guitar. It contains tracks like the title track and “Sirabhorn,” which already showcase his melodic and evocative style.
- New Chautauqua (ECM, 1979): This album is an example of his solo production, where the guitar takes center stage.
- One Quiet Night (Nonesuch Records, 2003): This album is entirely dedicated to Metheny’s solo guitar, recorded on a quiet night, as the title suggests. It received a Grammy Award for Best New Age Album.
- What’s It All About (Nonesuch Records, 2011): Another album where Metheny performs solo, exploring various melodies. This also earned him a Grammy in the New Age category.
- Road to the Sun (BMG, 2021): This album sees Metheny in the role of a chamber composer, with all guitar parts transcribed note by note.
- Dream Box (BMG, 2023): A more recent release that highlights his guitar work.
- MoonDial (BMG Modern Recordings, 2024): His latest album (set for release in July 2024), which features solo tracks performed on a baritone guitar and is said to contain the essence of his melodic and romantic lyricism.
Metheny has also experimented with the Orchestrion, a device that allows him to perform alone by controlling a series of musical machines and robots from his guitar, as demonstrated in the “solo guitar & orchestrion” concert.
His career has been filled with successes, earning him 20 Grammy Awards across 12 different categories, including an induction into the DownBeat Hall of Fame in 2013 and being named an NEA Jazz Master in 2018. These accolades solidify his status as one of the greatest jazz guitarists and composers worldwide.
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