Pinball Wizard - The Who | Guitar Lesson

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Super Thanks (see below the video screen)
Patreon: / 12footchain (tabs and chord charts on patreon)
Learn how to play Pinball Wizard, as performed by The Who released as part of their epic rock opera from 1968 Tommy. Brilliant acoustic and electric arrangements each with their distinctive character.
The lesson covers all acoustic and electric parts, you'll see how all those pieces fit together.
Gear used in this video (if you purchase via these links I will earn a small commission):
Yamaha Red Label FGX5 6 string Acoustic sweetwater.sjv.io/Jzjak7
1968 Gibson SG Special with Wolfetone P90's. New ones here sweetwater.sjv.io/EKvbDQ
Guitar Rig 7 software (electric tones) sweetwater.sjv.io/3erAQk (used "high white" amp setting with a gain boost in front of it)
00:00 Introduction / What to expect
01:30 Lesson - intro section (acoustic)
05:20 Lesson - verse sections (acoustic)
09:13 Lesson - prechorus section (acoustic)
10:14 Lesson - 2nd/3rd verse variation (acoustic)
11:20 Lesson - chorus (acoustic)
12:00 Lesson - bridge (acoustic)
13:20 Lesson - outro section (acoustic)
15:48 Tips on playing the acoustic parts
17:09 Electric - getting your tone
18:06 Lesson - intro, verse, prechorus sections (electric)
19:34 Lesson - nuance in 2nd verse (electric)
20:38 Lesson - prechorus and chorus (electric)
21:34 Lesson - embellishment after 2nd verse/chorus
22:44 Lesson - nuance in 3rd verse (electric)
24:29 Lesson - outro section (electric)
19:00 Final thoughts
Also...
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USED GEAR:
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[@sirbaronvoncount4147]

My favourite channel for getting songs taught correctly. I been playing since the early 80s when you learned songs by tuning to the record and moving the needle over and over. I’m glad I am able to learn this way (by ear) but if I can get it taught by someone I will do that. Thx

[@12footchain]

Thanks! I was the same, sitting w the record or cassette. Or even trying to stay with it on radio as it goes by. So much more sources of info now.

[@MrJohnnyDistortion]

I use to learn songs waaaaay before your time. Some beer, mushrooms 🍄, little weed, and red wine. Some other stuff. 🤣😵‍💫

[@dew6874]

I started playing mid 80s. My breakthrough was Guitar for the practicing musician magazine. They put everything in tabliture. Still remember when they had this song in a issue! We didn't need no internet!!!!!

[@nicoengerer5959]

Same here ❤

[@ianmorris3084]

Yeah, same here. I'm aged 57. I remember, aged 16, sitting in my bedroom with my Kay guitar, 5 watt amp, listening to Live at Leeds, trying to get a grasp of what Pete was playing. That album was a big part of how I evolved as a guitar player in my 20s, playing in Hard Rock bands.

[@1rwjwith]

Brilliantly done! Townshend really invented his whole style of rhythm playing…I always loved it. Great job.

[@Suzie-Q2]

Fantastic lesson 👏 👌 I love the way you show every little nuance and how it's played. For has-beens like me, I never had time to learn these multi-impossible songs.

[@artisticglow7486]

Great tutorial! Love the deep color on that SG special.

[@EnriqueRodriguezFC]

I have to say this truly from my heart. Dude I have been around more than 30 Or 40 other channels that try to do what nobody can achieve with the ease clarity and great didactic you manifest. Your blessing no doubt. Thanks.

[@12footchain]

Thank you very much for the kind words. I'm tryin'!

[@shuroom57]

I enjoyed this demonstration a lot! I've known how to play it for 50 years but your meticulous attention detail is fascinating; it takes off where other teachers and players would tune out. Btw, I had always thought that that electric guitar "Morse code" tapping pick on the B note on the 3rd verse sounded like a sort of military trumpet playing a staccato series of B's. It was a very intriguing and provocative choice for Pete to make as an accompaniment to the furious gypsy strumming on the acoustic. Maybe his own father's career as a trombonist (?) unconsciously inspired Pete to do it, as well as feature brass frequently on Who and solo recordings. Of course, Entwistle always had that French horn.

[@spacelab2756]

Love the detail. Great job 12 foot!

[@EnriqueRodriguezFC]

I nailed it with so much ease you are a super master , congrats …. Take request ???

[@12footchain]

Yep

[@EnriqueRodriguezFC]

@@12footchain my preferred band are The Police, Jethro Tull, Genesis, Yes, there are plenty of great guitar songs

[@GaryBook]

I believe he wrote it because a music critic loved pinball. The opening is one of the greatest in rock n roll. He plays with the B minor as well on “Going Mobile.”

[@guydouglas6094]

What a great song but that intro is incredible on the acoustic - soft and sweet before the onslaught! What a lesson - this rocks out. Much thanks for rekindling an oldie but a beauty. 👍👍👍 Pete Townsend was/still an aggressive player. 🤩

[@sooparticular]

love u! watch all your stuff...Im a teacher and pro here in nyc but u may have missed one chord...in the intro Pete puts his index finger down covering the 2nd frets g and b string while the high e remains open its a f#min 7 chord...it comes right after the f # dom7...try it! it makes a nice difference! thanks again for all the vids:)

[@kennethshort2016]

First time I've seen the chord charts provided. Very helpful

[@weseektheholygrail]

Thank you- you are one of my favorite teachers, and I love your taste in which songs to select. I would love to learn a lot more of the songs on Live at Leeds, especially those versions. I'm having trouble finding lessons that walk through those as specifically as you do. Especially Magic Bus and Overture, but really any that you see fit to teach! Have a great day.

[@vayabroder729]

You NAILED it! Awesome!

[@BlackTieProductions]

Great deep dive into Pinball Wizard…thanks a bunch!

[@johndodson4527]

Great channel that's gonna really start growing this year!

[@12footchain]

Hope so! Thanks! Should break 100k subs this year easily

[@ianmorris3084]

Absolutely brilliant. Love watching you work through this. Best wishes from Derby in the UK🎸❤️

[@12footchain]

Thank you very much!

[@ashershetrit8721]

Thank you!!

[@hozzer68]

Thank you I’ve been looking for a decent tutorial for the full intro for ages 👍

[@rsvette123]

Awesome job

[@freesk8]

Great lesson! Thanks! :)

[@ThePeterfernandes]

great stuff...thanks

[@marvinnorstrom2636]

Great tutorial!

[@friedrich1957]

Another blast from my past.. thanks again! Would love to jam sometime...

[@aminahmed2220]

What a wonderful video have you read music when playing guitar have a good weekend ❤😊

[@shakeyblues5128]

Always love The Who, Top Shelf 12 Ft. ♪♫♪♫♪

[@wsurfn]

Thank you

[@MrJohnnyDistortion]

Groovy man. Totally cool. Wicked pissa. (Boston jargon)

[@JeanMarieMessa]

Great lesson. On live versions I think he just plays a simple A6 instead of the B flat noodling and it’s also quite magical.

[@12footchain]

Yes, the Woodstock version has that, a quick Bb to A6

[@stratman9449]

one of my first songs to learn back then (68..!!!)...very powerfull....great although..i'm not a "friend" of Pete Townsend......but that's another story... cheers and thanks for your detailed lesson...much appreciated..

[@brucehelppie6119]

great lesson. good tip about using a lighter pick on the acoustic...

[@sirwinston2368]

This is cool. Awhile back I saw Greg Koch hawking a Gibson SJ-200 on KZbin and he belted out some Zep and quite a few others (he's a monster player as you know). One of those songs was Pinball Wizard. The intro is great. I took a stab at it about a year ago and sorta gave up. I didn't try very hard; I've been playing for... 45+ years, coming up on 50 . However,... hmm... I think I'm going to have to give this another whirl. Love your videos man.

[@12footchain]

That intro is great, and 100% you can do it

[@sirwinston2368]

Thanks!

[@12footchain]

Thank you!

[@TheBhannah]

Nice Yamaha !

[@EnriqueRodriguezFC]

The solo of Aqualung … and some more Pink Floyd

[@EnriqueRodriguezFC]

From Caracas Venezuela 💪🏼

[@brunel23]

Would you be able to do a lesson on China Girl by David Bowie, featuring Nile Rodgers and Stevie Ray Vaughan?

[@moushunter]

I've seen 2 videos where he plays the song at different positions on the fret board and with much less detail than what you just showed. Perhaps the raucous live versions are more raw than studio versions. There are a variety of variations in the words from time to time too. The nice part of some bands is varying from studio recordings. It enhances the live experience.

[@12footchain]

agree!

[@EnriqueRodriguezFC]

See me . Feel me…. Touch me ….

[@564df6g5h4d6f5g4h6d5]

2nd verse it’s open B string not E string. That’s a sweet icing on that cake.

[@altonwilliams7117]

🎸🎵👍

[@EnriqueRodriguezFC]

Queen!!! Brian may titan….

[@johndodson4527]

Old red label Yamaha ?great guitars!

[@12footchain]

New one fgx5. Link in description. Great guitar

[@rufusevans7844]

I'm almost going to miss the 12string/6string comments section anxiety! Sounds great!

[@johndodson4527]

What picks you use?

[@12footchain]

Usually mediums, but I used light for acoustic on this song

[@dougnichols3358]

U2 may have been inspired by this song?

[@pololekino]

And the arm reel ???

[@ROCK-vl5yw]

Townsends best song ha

[@Weshopwizard]

How do you think he does it? I don’t know. What makes him so good?

[@spindriftdrinker]

I can't explain.

[@patriottothecore6215]

Who are you do do dododo

[@freesk8]

Thought I was The Bally Table king But I just handed my Pinball crown to him!

[@dew6874]

Who are you referring to 😊

[@freesk8]

@@dew6874 I don't know, but he sure plays a mean pinball! :)

[@-Atmos1]

The Who ? Think Pete Townsend was influenced by Jimi Hendrix with the Wind Cries Mary faster in the other direction . Thanks

[@randyzeitman1354]

The fifth chord on the intro does not sound right.

[@jamespowrie6793]

I think your explanation of the accents is a bit muddled. The first 4 accents are on every 3rd 16th note. The 16th note rhythm used in this song is used on dozens of rock, funk and Latin grooves, so well worth mastering. Also I would be wary of suggesting that aggressive is the way to go. To paraphrase from an old flamenco maestro, the real fire comes from clean and precise control of rhythm and accents, not brute force.

[@ROCK-vl5yw]

Townsend couldn't play lead he said he couldn't stand any song that zeppelin did clearly he was jealous of page because they were the end of the who

[@564df6g5h4d6f5g4h6d5]

Page also played on the who’s first hit My Generation. Stung Pete’s arse.

[@Mst-bh9ti]

​@@564df6g5h4d6f5g4h6d5incorrect. On I can't explain.

[@stevonh]

Thanks!

[@12footchain]

Thank you!