Pete Townshend's A-G-D Songwriting Foundation

[@stephenlewis9632]

I really can't get over how prolific James you are here turning out tutorial gems. Breaking down the chord progression is really helpful. Many thanks!

[@als1023]

Same thoughts.

[@scottca9780]

I like when you mix it up with these sorts of lessons/discussion.

[@quarter_moon_and_a_guitar]

No one writes better bridges in songs than Townsend. It was his secret weapon

[@alann5003]

The bridge in Bargain is my favorite.

[@dorkbrandon4422]

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

[@daviddemaria3982]

​@dorkbrandon4422 absolutely killer. One of the best

[@michaelr4063]

Love when you talk PT and The Who

[@quarter_moon_and_a_guitar]

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

[@joebloggs4754]

i have said same thing since 1967

[@jakethomas3205]

Absolutely!

[@gordonlandreth9550]

Pete even said Keith was a great drummer , but just couldn't keep time very well .

[@krisscanlon4051]

Yep all completely backwards...to other lead instruments from the actual lead rhythm section!!!

[@leachrinsinte983]

Best live band ever.

[@edf9682]

Thanks for being the best guitar teacher I’ve ever had in the 30+ years I’ve been playing guitar!

[@stevecarter7001]

Nothing wrong with keeping it simple. When you hear the raw power of the Who and Pete’s guitar it’s absolutely awesome . 😎

[@JohnnyMacalvee-cf7et]

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.

[@whatswithgus]

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!

[@xyogibear11]

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!

[@anulonilatac]

Yes. That's simple and easy. The secret to success. By the way, awesome t-shirt and guitar.

[@theresadimasi6899]

When he wrote “Same Old Song”, he wasn’t kidding

[@peliguitarcovers]

I was literally thinking of that Lyric from 'New Song' as I was watching this :)

[@robtoc]

HA! No doubt!!!

[@melodymaker135]

@@robtoc and that lyrics is literally over that same I-VII-IV progression!

[@stratowhore9051]

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!

[@billyturbert7629]

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 👍🏻

[@1rwjwith]

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.

[@roberteberhart1139]

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

[@stul6544]

Great lesson. I love the shirt. I’ll give you $1000. for it!! Ha ha ha

[@woody558]

If you can play The Seeker with the A-G-D and triplet strums, you can play The Who

[@lsteved]

Good stuff... you can really see the influence on AC/DC!

[@chrissnape9537]

I am a huge Who fan thanks for this

[@Zepster77]

That guitar has one hell of a sound. Thanks for all the vids!!

[@ricktheexplorer]

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.

[@Duckhunter1126]

Where did you get that shirt

[@thinkandbefree9398]

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!

[@alfatone2654]

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.

[@ryanwilson5782]

Man, I love it when you post Townshend videos

[@peliguitarcovers]

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 :)

[@JohnnyMacalvee-cf7et]

Cheat G tactic unveiled was clutch!

[@AugustMedia]

James I must say, your tutorials and covers are just the best!

[@Borat_Kazakh]

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!

[@fabricefournier3274]

I want your tee shirt!!!!

[@beckblowbyblow]

Great insight bro. Say want you want peoples,.. He's the greatest rhythm guitar player ever made. 👍👍 way up.

[@c.chelseathedog7987]

Excellent! Now ,I play better ”The seeker”intro ! Thanks for this lesson ! From deep south of France 🥖🍷🧀, 🖐😀🦊…pop…🍄⁉️

[@gregaltenhofel7326]

Spot on. This was perfect well perfect would be Pete knocking on my door right now. But this was good.

[@imannonymous7707]

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

[@TGiannini007]

Thanks James. You’re really helping a lot of guitarists during this damn pandemic. And this is a very unique lesson.

[@MadHauler]

THANK'S,... for getting me off of me arse........CHEER's

[@SpuzzyLargo]

That G chord fingering is sometimes used by Stephen Stills. It's called a Delta G, I believe. See "Helplessly Hoping": Am7 C (delta)G D, etc.

[@jeffanderson8384]

"I write the same old song with a few new lines and everybody wants to cheer it"

[@randywarren6925]

Wow, I just found your channel. How cool. You have a new subscriber 😎😋🤓

[@jesseserna8424]

That’s all the chords I know pertty much ..and I love The Who, so thnx and I love the sound of your guitar.. I already want a 12 string Martin.

[@arth3102]

Thanks James, you've demistified the Pete Townshend code for me. I'm going to go buy a 12 pack of beer and pick up my guitar and play.!😊😊😊

[@openroadfilms3494]

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

[@donnabutt8602]

If there were a Nobel Prize for music teaching then our amazing American friend would receive it. We absolutely love you.

[@chewycenter7690]

Oh, if I had seen this 20 or 30 years ago, I'd probably have 6 kids, 4 ex-wives, a signature guitar and a street named after me. Maybe not a street, but at the very least a sandwich named after me. And worst of all it's so simple!

[@CCB6939]

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!

[@JohnnyMacalvee-cf7et]

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!

[@DannyBoi2112]

Pete Townshend, my favourite songwriter ever

[@rcweber1953]

Thanks! Very helpful post. Again, you are far more instructive than piles of expensive "songbooks."

[@2345cbreslin]

nice share...I have some new inspiration to work on...

[@michaelmastrangelo4665]

Many classic songs have come from those chords. Proof that songs don't need to be complicated.

[@jonathanbanks8749]

Thank you.

[@RavenMadd9]

thank you boss

[@guitinwidit]

Excellent vid, thanks!

[@joeygosney5251]

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 KZbin. 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 !!

[@jaym4958]

Nice Change-Up, thanks again James.

[@philhopoh2841]

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

[@AFaceintheCrowd01]

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.

[@adebeauchamp3117]

Cheers pal that explains a lot about Townsend's quick changes and rhythm 👍

[@vancesorell9923]

Thanks, that is so helpful. I need to get you to move 3hr 17mins to the east, down I-90!

[@guilhermecadima4201]

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

[@mikedr1549]

I watched a John Cougar Mellancamp concert video on the KZbins and literally 90% of the songs were A - G - D!

[@yourbigtony]

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 .

[@christopherruddick2469]

Cool t-shirt! Thanks, also, for uploading!

[@melissayost4888]

If u run up & down the neck w A & D shapes/variations you can figure out Amazing Journey. It may not be correct but it works.

[@gill.5116]

Great work james man I always find your site when I get stuck on a song

[@Raven_of_Doom]

AC/DC too

[@dugguvan.]

Fantastic lesson JJ, thanks you're great!

[@michaelholmes9874]

Love Pete Townsend as well👍

[@noscrubbubblez6515]

Pete throws in a C chord during The Seeker to show he's really seeking. Then in the 'b' section he finds it (E). oh, hell no- back to Seeking he goes...

[@alosadav]

I came for the ey all. Love the shirt!

[@michaelorourke3976]

This ranks up there as one of my favorite lessons

[@sagrado5]

♡♥♡The Who♡♥♡ ♡♥♡The Seeker♡♥♡

[@malcolmbenson6368]

THIS IS BRILLIANT !! TO SEE A REAL WHO NUT IS ENCREDIBLE. SUPERB AND INTERESTING THANKS. YOU SHOUL BE IN A TRIBUTE BAND

[@neilrogers242]

Love the Who & your lessons. Thanks dude!

[@marksieber8140]

Thanks James James, love this. Flashing back with the madras pantaloons...

[@RLB52]

Tommy - Christmas

[@TheDevinShamel]

Amazing. Straight to the point with tons of examples. This is a wonderful video. Helped out a ton. Thank you.

[@paulphaze]

I liked this.

[@freesk8]

Thanks! Love the Who! :)

[@johnnystrayhorn3591]

AWESOME

[@oldflowertender]

MoPar!!! I'm just looking around the room, lol

[@timwestcott361]

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 KZbin for good.

[@kwscov]

👍

[@paulioannou9675]

Great tutorial. Nice breakdown of loads of Who songs. You got a new subscriber !

[@tylerthompson1842]

It’s all the licks he would do in between that made in unique

[@christopherstone1083]

Are those your paintings in the back?

[@jamesjames9275]

My wife and I each did one - Bob Ross style.

[@bennythejet4064]

Tip top!

[@tonyalwayswaiting9953]

Mr Fantasy- Traffic (Steve Winwood)- same chord progression.

[@michaelschaefer7962]

Yeah, and if you move the pattern to E-D-A you have "Sympathy for the Devil" and several other tunes on "Beggars' Banquet." Great stuff!

[@GreenManalishiUSA]

Yes...And to add to the list of countless songs that use the A-G-D progression: Stiff Competition by Cheap Trick, which sounds so close to a Townshend riff that it was probably intended as an homage, not as a rip-off.

[@melodymaker135]

@@GreenManalishiUSA For sure. A good chunk of that “Heaven Tonight” album is Who homage, and nicely done. “Taking Me Back” sounds very “Who’s Next”ish

[@dorkbrandon4422]

Pete townshend grew up through the 50s where they just played 12 bar blues for rock n roll or C , A minor , F ,G for soppy love songs 😂 I think he used so many great chord sequences but yes the A , G , D was his signature chord progression and did it the best and will never be topped in the future of music either , also to mediocre guitarists who just play power chords along the fretboard all the time will be impressed by the simplicity that power chords can also be played in the first 3 frets like the shapes he does for the A and G which people usually think is just for open chords

[@jamesjames9275]

I love every one of Pete’s AGD songs. It’s incredible how much music he’s been able to create from that sequence.

[@jimmysupafly1547]

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.

[@mattyc.9332]

I read somewhere he was doing his windmill with such force that his palm went THROUGH the whammy bar...ouch!

[@jamesjames9275]

1989 tour.

[@michaelorourke3976]

My favorite thing about JJ is I don't necessarily need a lesson on so.e of these things, but I love to watch him do it, fantastic player

[@joesmith6865]

Thanks for this!

[@602davido]

I thought "Magic Bus" was in open E

[@stagehand9002]

Great video! Love Aint For Keeping is another haha Thanks!!

[@jamesjames9275]

Yep, just slower than he usually does it. And the outro for Pure and Easy.

[@BC99]

Awesome.

[@WeejeeJones]

👍👍👍

[@jdkazoo]

Cry If You Want is such an underrated gem of a song.

[@jamesjames9275]

Yes, especially as a live number. Pete's soloing in the outro on those '82 versions is some of my favorite playing of his.

[@michelecuoghicostantini7653]

Thanks James! i love pete and your are the number one!

[@cmartin1959-qq2mi]

Love that Gibson !

[@jluttr9808]

Brilliant, made my day!

[@franklincoolport27]

Great video James.......