Metheny pioneered the use of the Synclavier and various guitar synthesizers, while Mays utilized a wide array of MIDI-connected keyboards to expand the group's sonic texture.
PMG famously integrated wordless vocals, often using the voice as a melodic instrument rather than a vehicle for lyrics, creating a lush, cinematic sound.
They were known for through-composed pieces—long works that evolve without repeating sections like a standard song—such as the 68-minute continuous track on the 2005 album The Way Up .
The group's identity was built upon the decades-long partnership between Metheny and Mays. Their collaboration was characterized by a "modern big band" approach, where they wrote meticulously for the ensemble while leaving space for complex improvisation.
Bill King: Pat Metheny - A Document of Time | Billboard Canada