No group ever like The Who. Bass player often carried the lead with the drummer playing lead drums (whatever that is), and the guitar player keeping the time with the rhythm. That back-asswardness defined their greatness
My favourite townshend bridge was on punk and the godfather The chords , melody and those lyrics man I have to be careful not to preach I can't pretend that I can teach And yet I lived your future out By pounding stages like a clown And on the dance floor broken glass And bloody faces slowly pass The numbered seats in empty rows It all belongs to me you know although it's a quadrophenia song it sounds like it's personal lyrics about himself
Never ever forget the dominant rhythm section Entwistle and Moon. Pete has said he NEEDED the OX there to play his music or would need 8 other people with brass and wood instruments.
The first two that I thought of were "I Can't Explain" and "Join Together". I had never realised how often he uses that particular chord progression elsewhere. Only a songwriter like Pete could use it that many times without you realising it!
With people locked in their homes, they all want to hear The Who songs to rejuvenate us, and it works. Some of the best music the human soul can witness. Thank you, Pete, and hell, all 4 of you.
Awesome man !! I’ve noticed that Pete’s brilliance is how awesome his rhythm and chord voicings/diction are. He’s a master song writer!! Thank you for sharing, as always 👍🏻
This is fantastic! This is valuable insight for those seeking to learn Pete's techniques and song construction. I would love to hear you expand on more of his techniques. Cheers!
Lonnnie Johnson, one of the first great jazz/blues guitarists, used the same chords to write 125 songs. At least that's what he said. It ain't the chords, it's what you do with them. As for Pete, look at the intro to "Tommy" -- hell, the whole damn thing!
Love the shirt, always loved that guitar. Great lesson, thanks. I find myself trying to figure out who times every day almost. They're just stuck in my heart, and head. Definitely my favorite group of all time
You are easily my favorite you tube wizard. I love the amount of knowledge you share in these. It amazes me on how much stuff you know and remember. If I don't play a song for a week or two I forget it and have to look it up again. You somehow are a walking encyclopedia of music.
Thanks for your help my fingers are destroyed trying to get the tunes...you have made me pick the guitar again ...thanks for showing me how to do my favourite who tunes ...you are a star x
Great lesson James ! I learned guitar mostly from a friend who showed me some chords. but got to say for the last 10 or so years I've learned a ton from you and your channels... Cheers !! and thanks!
Hey ..i just wanted to say Thank you for sharing .. i think your awe some . i have followed you for probably 7 or 8 years and have learned countless songs.. mostly acoustic. thanks again .
In PT's hands, there are mystical powers in the A-G-D progression. Hey, I really enjoy your vids. Thank you for doing these. They are extremely enlightening -- and I also enjoy seeing your truly excellent guitar collection.
Marvelous anaylysis and 100% correct. Really the only time he would vary much is on ballads like Behind Blue Eyes...BUT even on that one in the uptempo part he kind of reverts! Still great songs.
James, I have been watching your videos for so many years now. I’m 29 and have been playing guitar for 17 years or so now and I have always been a fan of yours. I am a huge PT fan and was always impressed with your covers and song choices, especially because there aren’t many PT covers on RU-vid. Just wanted to say thanks for what you do and keep rocking !!! Also a good example I don’t think you mentioned... THERE ONCE WAS A NOTE , LISTEN !!
Thanks for that 'thumb on the G' trick, I've started 'thumbing' my bar chords lately for both the E and A shapes, 'Hey Joe' by Hendrix is super easy that way. Now so are these PT classsics.
Deconstructing Townshend's guitar compositions - endlessly interesting. Less is more ? Chords in Amazing Journey / Sparks , Bell Boy , Tattoo etc always give joy, inspiration and intrigue. And easily playable - no jazz degree required. Love your work - personification of the power of RU-vid for good.
I lucky to see them back in December '75 in Philly. I was 15 years young. Wonderful and Loud... They up to their usual on stage antics. Great show, thanks for the lesson mate.
I have been hoping someone would break down Pete's style. One You Tube only one other fellow even bothered to tackle his progressions. I've known that there had been tons of G - D. He even stated he loved the A - that was his money maker. You are so great at breakdowns and analysis. You help with my music theory so dang much. I commend you for your content and want more Pete Townshend / Who philosophy. Thank you for what you do for guitar players!
Kind of encapsulates Townsend's genius - I consider Pete to be the proto-punk, favoring big chords to tease the melody, wrote all the music, and tho Daltrey could and still can kill the vocals, let's not forget Entwistle and Moon!
You are always the first guy I turn to for accurate versions. I love The Who, and when my friends and I were learning their songs I remember discussing that Pete had based his career on bVII-IV-I. Cool to see it in all the examples. Yeah, I know I'm three years late, but I'm trying to catch up. Another one I've thought about: Mark Sandman, from Morphine, where a minor third is the basis of most of his songs. Anyways, thanks again
This kind of video is great. I noticed the ADG pattern somewhat between The Seeker and WGFA and certainly noticed the triplets, but I didn't really make the connection through alot of the songs you showcased (And I know them all very well from listening). Thanks for this. The 'Cheat G' certainly makes that DG switch alot easier. Shame the C to F one in The Seeker is still a nightmare for me. I'll keep working on it :)
You once made the comment, when breaking down a song, "it's actually simpler than it sounds, which is the case with most pop songs." Drawing such patterns of guitarists really helps!
I've a authoral project with a friend and we discussed how we always sorta use the same notes or foundation haha it's a relief see how a genius as Pete did the same haha
I don’t think it would be a 1-7-4 That’d be A -G# dim7 - D. Do you mean a 1-5-4 ? A-E -D Or in G. G-D -C. ? The 7 chord is very rarely used. Possibly never in pop / rock songs.
I have always marveled at all of the open chord sounds with all kinds of different suspended notes in Pete Townsend's work and this is really helpful in discovering how he does it . Thanks.
So obvious now that you point it out. My favorite acoustic player still after all these years.....cool lesson. Oh I can think of tommy examples too....overture ...for one
Thank You really appreciate all your lessons. Would you be willing to do a quick lesson on Pete's Sheraton Gibson? I feel like I have a good portion but something is missing. Thanks again
