If you are a long-time fan of Pat (or even if you heard him for the first time today) and fellow guitarist, you're probably thinking one thing -- "how does he play like that?!" Pat Metheny has such a unique style of playing and creating, which can be sometimes difficult to unravel from old-fashioned transcribing. But FINALLY, this book lets you into the mind of this musical genius!
I have only owned this book for ONE day and have barely scratched the surface; however, I already have a ton great things to say about this book. First - be sure to read the Preface before beginning. In regards to content, Pat explains that these exercises (pretty much) have no specific lesson... which I think is great! The exercises were warm-up routines that Pat played before some concerts he did while on tour in Italy - All of which were improvised. He simply recorded the exercises each night and then transcribed them out. You are left to interpret the ideas and lines in your own way, which is kind of like a theory lesson built-in to the exercise. After playing through an exercise a few times, you'll go "Oooooh, that's what that is" or "I've heard him do THAT before." It's great!
Pat DOES acknowledge that the études were/are intended for two purposes: right hand technique and dexterity throughout the fret board. And this is certainly the truth! In a matter of 24-bars, you are playing all over the fretboard. You really begin to see patterns in new ways and new shapes. And if you think you are stumbling on something because of the left hand fingering, check out what your right hand is doing....
One last thing -- there are no chords symbols, finger numbers, or position numerals. There are notes and tabs. That's it. Again - Leaving it up to your interpretation.