Mr. Martino - This is yet another comment on your recent GP article, "Sacred Geometry". Like so many others, I really enjoyed it. I'm one of those people who find it easier to understand concepts if they are presented graphically. "Sacred Geometry" does exactly that. I read it last night, then went down to the basement to start working on it. I'll read it again and continue working. Gotta keep new stuff moving through my playing. Stagnant is bad and that's one of the great things about guitar - You'll never know it ALL. I consider myself a "student of guitar". Someday I will be a "guitar player". Please keep it coming!
Roger Fallecker <rfallecker (at) cannonusa.com>
Ambridge, PA USA - Wednesday, March 31, 2004 at 12:45:41 (EST)hello mr. martino: i've known you since the summer of
2000. i was in berklee in boston for a semester. it pleases me that you
are doing well. i have heard the new cd live at yoshi's. very good. do
you have the desire to come to europe or swizerland?
best of wishes,
hans
Caelen Cann / Translation
USA - Tuesday, March 30, 2004 at 14:10:25 (EST)Hallo Mr. Martino
Ich kenne Sie seit Sommer 2000. Ich war in Berklee in Boston für ein Semester.
Es freut mich ,dass es Ihnen gut geht.
Ich habe eben die neue CD Live at Yoshi's gehört. Sehr gut.
Haben Sie keine Lust, in Europa oder in der Schweiz aufzutreten?
Alles Gute Hans
Hans Sarbach <hans.sarbach (at) sarbach.org>
Arlesheim, CH Schweiz - Sunday, March 28, 2004 at 16:33:02 (EST)I also caught Pat's second set on Saturday at Blues Alley and was blown away. I don't think live music gets any better than that. If you've never heard Pat play live, you don't know what you've been missing. His "Live!" album with the Catalyst rhythm section has always been my favorite record; I've listened to it hundreds of times. But a recording just doesn't come close to capturing the energy and groove that Pat generates live. I had the chance to talk with him for a few minutes before the set. We talked about a few of his records that I've always loved - especially "Pat Martino/Live!". When the group came back out for an encore, they played "Sunny" which was the last track on "Live!". That was a genuine thrill for me. It's nice to know there are people like Pat Martino in the world. Thanks Pat and I hope to see you again at Birdland this May.
Clyde Laushey <claushey (at) mail1.vcu.edu
>
Richmond, VA USA - Friday, March 26, 2004 at 15:15:59 (EST)Dear Pat;
Love you man, you are truly one of a kind. Websters defines genius as the personification of a quality and great and original creative ability in some art, science etc.
Pat, that you fit the bill so perfectly is what you were born to be. God bless you and your heart....
jyri haukka <jyri (at) infostations.com>
Paradise, Ca USA - Thursday, March 25, 2004 at 17:59:49 (EST)dear pat,your master class in guitar player led me to your site where i found elements of my own teaching tools staring back at me.many years ago,i found that the concept of the fret board as a grid combined with seeing notes as a clockface made theory so much more logical and pulled a student into music more than the intimidation of the traditional approaches.i've used symetry and the clockface model for years thinking i had really come up with something and apparently ihad touched on a way of making things more obvious.thank you for validating what i thought was agood concept and thanks for really exploring and filling in the blanks.
pete strobl <peatnik (at) hotmail.com>
Malibu, CA USA - Thursday, March 25, 2004 at 14:29:07 (EST)Now, I am leading my jazz program in RADIO BIELSKO, Poland. And this is why I had to play MY FAVOURITE THINGS - the music of Pat Martino (Live at Yoshi's).
Andrew <lawjazz (at) mmsapl.net>
Bielsko-Biala, Poland - Wednesday, March 24, 2004 at 16:43:15 (EST)just wanted to add my kudos to the quintet for the blues alley shows...Beautiful Companion and i were fortunate to hear the early show thursday. had i not been going to NYC for the allman brothers i would have hit friday and saturday as well!
loved the improv...sax a bit loud in the mix, but the playing was great. i've been on a binge lately...picked up "east", "baiyina", "footprints"...and of course..."think tank", which i think is the best jazz studio recording in years...
wail on pat...
aiq <aiq (at) ureach.com>
washington, DC USA - Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 18:00:58 (EST)Yo Mr.Martino you are great!! I play guitar at the milwaukee
hight school of the arts. And I am looking foward to hearing yo at the master class this weekend. And I will also be at the show that night. Thanks for the insperation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jacob Turner <turnerSL (at) inet-web.com>
milwaukee, WI USA - Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 13:11:54 (EST)I enjoyed browsing through the site. I was hoping there would be a little more explanation about the guitar/key center diagrams. They are quite baffling and a little dizzying. Thanks anyway. Joshua Marks <melodicdirection (at) hotmail.com>
augusta, ga USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 23:57:48 (EST)Saw the second show at Blues Alley saturday night--Incredible.Pat,it would be wonderful for you to shoot a live performance video.The current touring band would be great!!As far as i know the only commercially available video of you (other than your instruction videos) is the "Live at Ethel's" from the '87 tour.A new one would be great!!!Thanks again for all the great music.It means so much to so many of us.
Mike
Germantown, Md USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 22:32:07 (EST)Great show at Blues Alley Saturday night! By the end of the show I was told that photos were not allowed. I'm sorry if this was a distraction. However, by the time I was informed this, I had taken 22 pictures, mostly of yourself. As a special thanks without any obligation, I would like to send you the pictures on CD and the negatives. If you can provide me with your personal manager's contact info., I can send this to him for you. Thanks again.
LD
larry davis <davistino (at) aol.com>
Washington, DC USA - Sunday, March 21, 2004 at 21:21:12 (EST)Pat recently gave me the most precious gift of his time. He shared his unique insights/perspectives that enabled me to take large strides in coping with healing issues I currently face. I cannot overstate what he did for me.
I want to add my voice to the chorus of universal love and respect for Pat shown in this forum. His greatness as a guitarist is indisputable, but merely a footnote to his legacy of love, enlightenment & communication.
Thank you, Pat -
John Robinson <jhrobby (at) comcast.net>
Camas, WA USA - Sunday, March 21, 2004 at 20:35:07 (EST)One of my students suggested looking at your site because he had read about your "mother chord" approach, and thought I might find it interesting. Indeed! Magnificent work in the "Nature Of The Guitar" section. It will have me returning to the diminished and augmented chords for a long time to come. And your use of the I Ching too. You probably know that the I Ching is where the inventor of the modern computer got his inspiration for the binary system of information storage. I never saw it applied to the guitar, but it makes tons of sense. Love your work. Very best wishes. Richard Lloyd <lloyd206 (at) aol.com>
NY, NY USA - Sunday, March 21, 2004 at 16:54:37 (EST)The man, the myth, the legend…. Hi Pat – I just wanted to drop you a line to say HEY and to wish you the best. We met many years ago (around the Consciousness era) through an ex-producer by the name of Cal Lampley. Your playing really influenced me in regard to wanting to play as much as possible while here for this short time on earth. It is so heart warming to see you back and more creative than ever. You're so right in regard to it's all about the people, not the guitar (although they do make wonderful friends when there's no one around). The Nature of the Guitar is to keep you coming back to speak brother and man do you still have a lot to say. Keep the Pick in the Strings, et al The Slim Man.
Wayne <wpetrush (at) comcast.net>
Baltimore, MD USA - Sunday, March 21, 2004 at 10:47:04 (EST)My Jazz group, the Apes of Rath, performs your classic piece, Where Love's A Grown Up God. Genius! You're seven motherf (at) !$#ers. (Prince is 5).
Chester <cstrain303 (at) msn.com>
denver, co. USA - Sunday, March 21, 2004 at 00:04:01 (EST)Benjamin, thank you for the reminder. By the way, the drummer was Joey Baron. All my best wishes.
Pat Martino
USA - Friday, March 19, 2004 at 09:46:26 (EST)p.s. remember an impromptu session with yourself,Bob Magnuson, and Joe(drummer can't remember his last name)will forever be imprinted in my memories. thank you
benjamin <bpmiv1 (at) yahoo.com>
lottleton, co USA - Friday, March 19, 2004 at 01:10:51 (EST)Pat, met you as a student at GIT around 80',81. Continue to listen as your musicianship transends all time and space. Thank you.
benjamin morris <bpmiv1 (at) yahoo.com>
littleton, co USA - Friday, March 19, 2004 at 01:04:59 (EST)Dear Pat,
I actually just want to thank you for the wisdom I have received from reading your interviews. I really like what you say about recovering from trauma, and I have just bought a guitar which, at 38, I am going to relearn after a life of self-inflicted trauma. i feel most encouraged at what you shared in your interview and whatsmore, I really like your mathematical approach to music. Anyway, I`d like to keep it short. Thanks again for your wisdom. Best wishes to you and your wife. Morgana Meilen
morgana meilen <morganameilen (at) web.de>
Berlin, Germany - Thursday, March 18, 2004 at 16:39:33 (EST)Hi Pat I just returned from Mexico City, were I could have the experience of interchange information, with some musicians, Including hearing Winton Marsalis talking, who was there for a concert in Bellas Artes, I really started to think in a very distinctive way of understand music,
right from the inner identity of each as a part of an all
so I think maybe there is something in that words after all, thanks a lot.
Alejandro Rivera <ledes022 (at) starmedia.com>
Aguascalientes, Ags México - Thursday, March 18, 2004 at 09:25:29 (EST)i recently read your article in guitar player
and it helped me a lot. i have been wanting to
experiment with jazz, but really didnt know where
to start. the organization theory was easy to understand.
thanks
carl johanson
USA - Wednesday, March 17, 2004 at 07:57:05 (EST)re: The Mind Pick....Jimmy D...I have one.....
it's not quite my cup of tea, I actually use "Golden Gate" mandolin picks which have a VERY rounded edge but are super thick and hard. So if you want the mind pick I have, contact me......they are REALLY thick and a 'lil pointy for me....I'm 45 and back in my college years I had a friend who was into the stonepick thing, so they're like that. peace.
david marcus <doodah42 (at) swbell.net>
dallas, tx USA - Tuesday, March 16, 2004 at 15:47:19 (EST)Your parental conceptualization is beautiful simplicity. The article in the most recent Guitar Player has only whetted my apetite for more knowledge. I am visiting your site in hopes of obtaining a copy of "Nature of Guitar." Thank you for teaching me that I have a lifetime of learning how to play the instrument ahead of me -- what joy! Michael McMullan <OzonedHG (at) aol.com>
Rockledge, FL USA - Monday, March 15, 2004 at 21:11:47 (EST)Hello Pat;
I'm really excited about your playing at Blues Alley in Washinton, DC this weekend. I have been hoping to hear you play in person for many years now. Looking forward to a great show with your Quintet! Enjoy DC.
Larry Davis
Larry Davis <davistino (at) aol.com>
Washington, DC USA - Monday, March 15, 2004 at 19:57:55 (EST)I would love to know if "The Nature of the Guitar" will be a published book anytime in the near future....? Thanks.
Michael Lowe <m (at) estreet.com>
Denver, CO USA - Monday, March 15, 2004 at 13:43:27 (EST)Dear Mr. Martino: Great article via Jude Gold on your Creative Forces parental forms in GP (Website is welcome also). Your approach makes so much sense, especially when juxtaposed with the piano conception of music. Very enlightening. Thank you. Now, I see I have at least five years of guitar—work to catch up on; so it's off to my ES135 and...God Bless.
Rick Sippel <Rickyd883 (at) aol.com>
AMESBURY, MA USA - Sunday, March 14, 2004 at 23:35:05 (EST)Dear Alejandro, to be honest with you I know very little about George Russell's "Lydian Concept"; but more about George himself as a warm and gracious person. What really holds true is contained in the old saying: "To each his own". We come in contact with others for that purpose; to hopefully be given the opportunity to peer thru their windows. That process itself "puts the light on it". Warmest Regards.
Pat Martino
USA - Sunday, March 14, 2004 at 10:55:41 (EST)Dear Abbot, ..... Thanks for your concern. With regard to your question, I did experience a total loss of memory. It was'nt caused by having a stroke, but thru side effects following neuro-surgery for a brain aneurysm. Amnesia did take place and although there are numerous familiarities, regaining my abilities in every way remains to be an ongoing challenge. Thanks Again.
Pat Martino
USA - Sunday, March 14, 2004 at 10:31:40 (EST)
To anyone carrying on guitars, or other instruments of similar size; (even if held in professional soft leather shoulder bags) aboard airplanes for travel, please take note that the airlines known as AMERICA WEST and SOUTHWEST have ruled; (in their current regulations) that instruments of certain sizes are not allowed to be brought aboard as carry on items; (in Coach, Business or First Class. This applies to all musical instruments that exceed those regulations. Please check with your travel agents regarding these conditions).
Pat Martino
USA - Sunday, March 14, 2004 at 10:02:55 (EST)Good evening from a long-time fan. Is its true that Mr. Martino's stroke inflicted a kind of musical amnesia upon him, such that he had to recreate his style from scratch? It's an amazing neural retrieval, because his post-ailment style clearly emulates his previous conception. Did he really lose all ability to play?
Abbott Katz <akatz (at) hotmail.com>
Kew Gardens, NY USA - Saturday, March 13, 2004 at 23:21:46 (EST)Hi! I read an article in Guitar Player in the 70's in which you talked about playing 7th chords out of a diminished fingering. I constantly play that exercise in shapes when I pick up the guitar. Thanks for posting the Nature of the Guitar on your web page. The article in the April Guitar Player really opens a new way of thinking for me. Thank you very much. Allen Allen Kave <akave (at) reelwoods.net>
Kearneysville, WV USA - Saturday, March 13, 2004 at 10:53:58 (EST)Mr. Martino:
I trust you are well. I have, at 44, returned to school to pursue my interest in psychology. I am currently writing a paper on "creativity," "play," and "improvisation!!" My premise being that, though we usually ascribe these qualities to the artist, dreamer or child, they are, in fact, the very manifestation of our humanity and the tools which can, literally, save our lives. In the process of writing this thing, I remembered a Guitar Player Magazine interview with you, probably from the mid-late 70's, in which you suggested that there was no such thing as a "wrong note." This idea of freedom and adaptability obviously impacted me as a teenager reading the interview- that I would revisit it today. Anyway, it motivated me to visit your website and this lead me to your interview with Victor Schermer. The similarities in many of your statements regarding "play" to some of the things I am writing, is uncanny. I wanted simply to express the extent to which I am as moved by your words, today, as I was by them and your music, in my past.
Thank you and be well.........
-seth
Seth <sethgreenwald (at) earthlink.net>
New York, NY USA - Saturday, March 13, 2004 at 00:43:02 (EST)HI, Pat, I just bought the George Rusell´s Lydian Concept
and I was wondering how many players have been influenced
by this great thing, I just want to ask you if your playing
in the last years, got something to do with it, and if it don´t,what kind of regulation can be applied to "put the light upon it", besides of course, the spirit of freedom
and innovation, Thanks a lot.
Alejandro Rivera <ledes022 (at) starmaedia.com>
Aguascalientes, Ags. Mexico - Friday, March 12, 2004 at 09:04:13 (EST)Pat,
WOW!! I love your article in the April '04 issue of Guitar Player. I had already discovered the dropping a note to get a 7th from a diminished (actually I found it the other way around raising the root of a 7th gives a diminished) and when I asked my teacher about it he showed me a page out of your Creative Forces book. But I had NO IDEA that there was so much more. You speak my language... as someone who is trained in higher mathematics I am always looking for mathematical ways to visualize and understand music and the guitar. Your diagrams showing the rotating triangles and squares just knocked me out!!! Now the big question... are you planning an extended version of these ideas in book form? Please???!!!!
Thanks, Mark
Mark Fowler <mfowler (at) binghamton.edu>
NY USA - Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 23:11:33 (EST)Dear Pat,
Your show at the Kimmel Center on March 5 was inspiring! I loved the interplay between yourself and Jim. I really appreciate your duets with Jim Ridl, as they provide a power packed example of imagination.
Keep sending in the clowns:-)
Be Well,
John
John Fink Jr <fink (at) tcnj.edu>
Pennington, NJ USA - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 15:45:11 (EST)Dear Pat,
You are my all-time favorite musician and inspiration. I have seen you perform in Boston and Portland several times. We are moving to Little Rock, Arkansas - Any chance you will playing there anytime soon?
Thank you for so much beauty.
Andrea
USA - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 14:24:09 (EST)I just read the article in Guitar Player (April 2004) and I am also wondering if The Nature of Guitar will be published in a complete form. The ideas were extremely intriguing and it seems that there may be many people who find a non-linear/visual approach to guitar to be extremely helpful. I look forward to finding out more information on this approach. Thanks! Michael <michael.pierce (at) bankofamerica.com>
Charlotte, NC USA - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 14:09:35 (EST)Hi Pat, I just caught your performance at the Kimmel center and was amazed as usual. I also read your article in guitar player - really great way to approach the guitar. Keep the jazz alive in philly!
Andy
USA - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 01:39:27 (EST)HI! First of all excuse me for my bad english. I'm a 25 years old young pianist who study musicology at the university of Paris. I was present at your show in January at the "New Morning", and it was an amazing and wonderful show. I really loved your solos on "Oleo" and on one of my favorites tunes who's called "Draw me Down". Thank you Pat for having helped me to progress in Jazz music. Amar <amarius.shark (at) wanadoo.fr>
France - Monday, March 08, 2004 at 17:28:37 (EST)Hey Pat. I just got the new issue of Guitar Player Magazine and found the article on your Nature Of The Guitar really great. It's very helpfull and hope you are planning on putting it all into a book so I can read more of it (yeah, I enjoyed it that much).
Omar <commiertbstrd (at) yahoo.com>
Queens, NY USA - Monday, March 08, 2004 at 09:47:43 (EST)My main question today is: Years ago, I guess in the late 70's, and early 1980's, there was a guitar pick in the guitar stores, called the "Pat Martino Mind Pick." His hollow sound is so beautiful"
Where can I find these and purchase them? (A lot of them). I know what strings he uses and all that, and I tend to use different gauges, but I really would Like those picks! ....... JimmyD
---------------------------------
Jimmy, thank you so much for the time you've taken to describe your feelings. I appreciate!
With regard to your question about "Mind Picks" let me describe what brought them about.
In the late 60's I began to find deep interest in many other things seperate from my profession as a guitarist, and in that process I began to notice similarities in many forms and shapes. On coastal beaches, as well as those at different lakes, and in parks I began to pay more attention to my surroundings. I started to notice small pieces of wood; (from trees), stones; as well as small shells; (which thru erosion) just so happened to take the shape of guitar picks.
Straight from nature, those were the picks I began using at that time. I then at some point while in performance had the pleasure of meeting a fan by the name of John Dougherty. John had a deep interest; (much like yours) in the sound I was getting. After showing him the plectrum I used he asked if I would mind if he would market a product along those lines and eventually if I would endorse its advertisement. I agreed to participate. That's what started "Mind Picks".
Between you and me, I prefer the natural objects described earlier; maybe because there's a magic in what's naturally formed as opposed to being industrially shaped and packaged.
In fact the "Mind Pick" itself was originally purchased in quantity by John through jewelers who originally intended thier use as earings; which John then removed the hooks.
I have no idea how to reach John Dougherty. It's been a real long time since we've been in contact. He used to live in Wilmington, Delaware. You never know, you might cross paths at some point.
Personally, I'd advise you to begin taking more notice at small objects as described above; you might really be surprised at what is found with the least expectation.
I hope I was of help.
Pat Martino
USA - Sunday, March 07, 2004 at 18:01:06 (EST)Thank you for giving me good music in twenty years time! It was lovely to hear and see you play in Gothenburg (Sweden). I hope you liked my CD´s (Back Seat Betty). Keep on with your stuff, it´s just great!!!
Mikael Björck <mikael.bjorck (at) zeta.telenordia.se>
Gothenburg, Sweden - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 17:36:26 (EST)Thanks for the great interview in Guitar Player, it has opened my head to a new way of looking at the fretboard. I am a very visual person, playing best with patterns, rather than notes, and I can't tell you how much this has and will continue to help me!! James Martin <james (at) deftime.com>
New Brunswick, NJ USA - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 13:17:16 (EST)I read with great interest the Master Class article in Guitar Player. That led me here to your website. Which in turn led me to the article on the "All About Jazz" Website. You have touched a chord deep within me, I can't believe I have not heard your music, the next time I get to the city I will rectify that. What I have seen from your lessons and postings will have a huge effect on my playing, and life. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself with us. Ps: Will you be playing anywhere close to or in Kansas?
Allyson Bowen <akbowen (at) cox.net>
Kingman, KS USA - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 10:47:01 (EST)The February 2004 Guestbook entries have been archived.
Enjoy!
Richard <Webmaster (at) PatMartino.com>
Lambertville, NJ USA -Monday, March 06, 2004 at 08:22:45 (EDT)
Pat,
Have you developed a Method to exploit the "Nature of Guitar" ideas? I am fascinated by your approach and need a little guidance. After reading your website and the GP article, I'm confident that I'm stumbling in the right direction. I'd like to be sprinting in the right direction.
Thanks for the insight and the music.
- Jeff
Jeff Auen <jauen (at) ternstyle.com>
Trumbull, CT USA - Friday, March 05, 2004 at 06:29:51 (EST)Dear Sir,
I recently submitted a comment to your guestbook which had a considerable amount of "slang" in it. I then continued on and realized these guestbook entries are posted on your website. I hope it gets edited.
It's cool that you are answering posts about specific harmonies on specific tunes! Great website.
Anyway, Live at Yoshii's is incredible. It was my first real introduction to you. Since then I have been tapping all my buddies' collections for yer previous stuff.
Anyway, great website and I hope your mother doesn't read your guestbook.
A Devout Fan (and hack B3 player)
Ryan
Ryan Talbot <yno88 (at) mchsi.com>
MO USA - Thursday, March 04, 2004 at 22:16:06 (EST)I bought a copy of Think Tank here in the UK and found that it will not play on my Sony portable CD player. I contacted the copy protection company through their site and got the response below. I thought you might like to see how your record company is looking after you.
Dear Mr Gardner,
Thank you for providing your hardware information relating to the playback difficulties you are experiencing. As a company we are taking all forms of piracy extremely seriously and are working closely with our artists, and our industry as a whole, to ensure the safe protection of their music and to support the continued development of artists both today and in the future.
We are also working closely with hardware manufacturers, and the technology we are using is designed to ensure that the disc plays on multiple devices ˆ CD players, computers, car stereos, DVD players etc.
We can only suggest that if you are unable to play the disc in any other device and are therefore unhappy with the goods you have bought, please return to your point of purchase for an exchange or refund.
We do take all problems with our products seriously and the data you have provided will be taken in to account for future disc formats we release.
Thank you for taking the time to write to us.
Richard Gardner <richard.gardner (at) colourtone.co.uk>
Taunton, UK - Thursday, March 04, 2004 at 06:57:11 (EST)After reading the article "Sacred Geometry" in the April issue of Guitar Player, I have new insights into playing the guitar. Your point of view is very enlightening. Thank you! Doug Foss <revdoug (at) bellsouth.net>
Hallandale, FL USA - Wednesday, March 03, 2004 at 23:14:19 (EST)I purchased your Creative Force videos and they have put more direction into what it is I'm trying to do. I think they are excellent and am very intrigued by the way you approach improvisation. Recently a piano player told me to look up Joseph Schillinger and his methods are brand new to me. I was wondering if you had done any work in Shillinger's Systems of Music and also if there any systematic ways of learning your method that would enhance the process? Peace.
Joe <race55 (at) comcast.net>
Muskegon , MI USA - Wednesday, March 03, 2004 at 15:29:04 (EST)Hi Pat.. I wrote a few months ago and you graciously emailed back. I was married to your drummer Mitch Fine.
I have lost your email address and would appreciate your
sending it again. Many thanks
Llana Moss <radpraiser (at) yahoo.com>
Bastrop, Tx USA - Wednesday, March 03, 2004 at 14:32:25 (EST)i love your playing.
joe beaty <~~~~~~~~ (at) egyptian.net>
st. louis, illinois USA - Monday, March 01, 2004 at 12:25:26 (EST)