Ralph Patt, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

Ralph Patt

United States jazz-guitarist, inventor of major-thirds tuning; geologist specializing in hydrology and consulting on Hanford Site

Date of Birth: 05-Dec-1929

Place of Birth: Kittanning, Pennsylvania, United States

Date of Death: 06-Oct-2010

Profession: engineer, geologist, jazz guitarist, civil engineer, jazz musician, music pedagogue

Nationality: United States

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Ralph Oliver Patt (5 December 1929 – 6 October 2010) was an American jazz-guitarist who introduced major-thirds tuning.
Patt's tuning simplified the learning of the fretboard and chords by beginners and improvisation by advanced guitarists.
He invented major-thirds tuning under the inspiration of first the atonal music of Arnold Schoenberg and second the jazz of John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman. He graduated with a degree in geology from the University of Pittsburgh.
After his career as a guitarist, he worked as a geologist and as a hydrologist, often consulting on projects related to the U.S.
Department of Energy.