Not only is Pat Martino known for his burnin' jazz chops, but also during his career he underwent brain surgery due to a brain aneurysm. Following the surgery, he experienced complete amnesia and remembered very little of how to play guitar. It took him years of practice and listening to his old CD's for him to reclaim his chops and make a come back. The first album released after his surgery was entitled The Return. His book Linear Expressions further explores his technique. Let’s jump into studying a few Pat Martino licks.
#1 "Just Friends" Lick
This lick is from Pat's solo in "Just Friends". You can hear the lick at :41 seconds into the song at the beginning of his solo.
This lick starts in Bb major with a ii-V in Ab major for the last two measures.
The second half of measure two and the beginning of measure three contain many chromatic notes.
Click here to listen to this lick on YouTube.
#2 "Just Friends" Lick
The chord changes for this lick are C7-A7-Dmin7. However the entire lick works over a C7 chord and will give you plenty of altered tones.
Measure 2 starts with the b9, natural 9, b9 of the C7 chord over the A7. You’ll find and odd major third in the last measure played over the Dmin7 chord.
Click here to listen to this lick on YouTube.
#3 "Just Friends" Lick
Pay attention to the rhythm of the first measure. The rhythmic complexity ends in measure two and and the rest of the lick is simply eighth notes.
This lick is in Bb major for two measures and then ends with a ii-V in Ab major for the last two measures. The dorian mode of Ab is used for the last two measures.
Click here to listen to this lick on YouTube.
#4 "Just Friends" Lick
Here is a lick that Pat Martino plays in the melody of "Just Friends".
This lick can be played over a B diminished 7 chord.
Measure one uses the C whole tone scale.
