Play Like Pete Townshend - Guitar Lesson

/ 3minuteguitar
Covers "See Me, Feel Me" (Woodstock version) as a basis for exploring Pete's technique. Gretsch Electromatic Pro Jet with GFS NY II / NY III pickups, Fender Princeton Reverb Reissue (PRRI) with Eminence Legend 105.

[@johnbazy]

Pete always had such an odd great sound. When he had the Univox, it sounded like a mixture of a screeching rail and a hi-gained lightning, and his clean sound was like smooth rocks dropping on still water. Took me a while to come up with those metaphors.

[@sirandrelefaedelinoge]

They're dreadful

[@johnbazy]

@@sirandrelefaedelinoge ce n'est pas ce que ta mère m'a dit hier soir

[@chikkipop]

Univox amps? When did he use those?

[@johnbazy]

I'm talking about the Univox Super Fuzz he used from '68 to '78, you fake fan.....

[@eastdallasalice]

wow been wanting to play Townsend forever. U have given me building blocks. Thanks

[@philgetdown386]

awesome

[@Chibi_Bendrix]

"if you're not into theory just ignore all this and play the chord" HA!

[@williamf3988]

If you're not 'into theory' take up the accordian.

[@FredHerrman]

Really great instruction. Thank you.

[@Hoodrio]

@TheNickLeez Thanks! Please check out Part II as well ("Guitar Lesson: Townshend Style Part II, Sparks -- The Who")

[@MichaelCaliri]

Where did Peat get the wind mill from? Kieth Richards of all people LOL

[@Krakenpus]

Michael Caliri peat ??

[@wearingmoseyroc]

great video ! you just neglected to mention that pete's guitar is tuned flat. keep up the great video's

[@philipnicholson4843]

Tuned flat? First I've heard of this. What's your source

[@martymar1964]

When I'm learning riffs, I think to myself "What would Pete Townshend do?"

[@jeff7764]

No you don’t

[@zzznakedoctur2681]

I find his playing very simple, yet extremely hard to master. He switches from little bluesy fills to chords that are always extremely clean. Not to mention a lot of power chords thrown in with open clean chords.

[@TheNickLeez]

it's hard to find pete townshend method lessons, and not were you smart enough to make one, you nailed it!

[@dragossichim639]

The way that you understand the beauty of these songs and the way that you teach them to us is outstanding, thank you very much!

[@playcubex13]

I'd consider myself a beginner guitar player, on the verge of novice. This video is exactly what I've been looking for to learn some new and more challenging techniques and chord types. It's a crash course and I'll probably need to watch this video everyday for a week, but it's worth it. Thanks!

[@lorenmckimmey4596]

Brother! Thank you so much for posting this. One could spend hundreds of dollars on lessons and still not get to the point of what you showed me in 17 minutes. Much appreciated!!

[@philipnicholson4843]

Great video and a reminder of what a great composer Townshend is; simplistic but tasty.

[@130rne]

You sir are about to make me a MUCH better guitar player. I've been playing for years but I've never felt like I've reached the professional level. I can play rhythm with my eyes closed but never learned lead. Your tempo in this is spot on. It challenges me but if I hurry, I can play each part with just enough time left before you move on. Really great video, one watch and I subscribed :) Looking forward to learning from you.

[@MrDevy99]

Always enjoyed the Who growing up with their music. The suspended chords are definetly typical Tommy. Made me more aware of how good Pete is as a composer and performer. Thanks for posting!

[@rickvia8435]

Thanks. This lesson has allowed me to put "We're Not Gonna Take it" together from start to finish. I practice it every day. Another good one would be "Go To The Mirror". Great Work..!

[@VicVegaBlonde]

Thank god you exist

[@kleinebudde335]

What a beautiful guitar and what an awesome clean sound!

[@modfather1965]

Marvelous... I'm really going to have fun playing these riffs. Thanks a million!

[@philipnicholson4843]

Funny, I go to both of your pages to learn great mod/rock songs. So much more to Townshend's stuff than many realize. He's a great musician and composer. Much thanks to you both.

[@ebullient_3937]

Boy, that Gretchen is pretty!

[@charlesschwartz307]

Just came across this lesson. Really fantastic. Thanks very much for taking the time and putting it together.

[@Hoodrio]

Thanks, Charles -- I appreciate the feedback.

[@charlesschwartz307]

+Hoodrio my pleasure. I hope you have a happy and healthy New Years .

[@altadena57]

Hoodrio, you're such a good teacher !! You have such a humble, happy vibe. It's so obvious how much you love all the different sounds and music that guitars can make. I'm not even that much of a fan of The Who's Tommy stuff, but this lesson makes me want to grab my guitar and just play, anything, Thanks for the inspiration. I'm definitely a solid subscriber ( "when he finally gets to this b note, ... , it sounds like his amp is about to explode"; made me laugh, how cool!!)

[@clashwho]

This is fantastic. You picked the two Townshend guitar pieces I've most wanted to learn! Thank you!

[@philbarrows424]

I find it interesting that you teach Townshend technique on a Gretsch. Nice work👍🏻

[@mshuptar]

Awesome job, sir! Now, I only need to find a 1968 SG with P-90s and a Hiwatt stack and I'll be set!

[@aknightwhosaysni2475]

Very informative. THANK YOU 👍

[@happyend1084]

People should not try to sound like someone. Instead, find your way to a sound that will be natural for you, and you will succeed... I ignore most of the tabs and play the way I feel and understand it. It does not sound like the original, but it is beautiful and unique in its own way...

[@ConglomerationCat]

I can honestly say that this is the most detailed breakdown that I've ever witnessed for any Who piece. Thank you very much for posting!

[@petjobedet4650]

Great way to spend an evening- with Pete’s chords and progressions. Thanks for posting!

[@williambradford8265]

Bein playin this for years but you show me how to do it right. Thanks man

[@sitaroutreachministry6289]

Thanks for such a great lesson! Having grown up on this and experienced a full life, I can say this is great, powerful, beautiful music. And you helped me reconnect, I appreciate it.

[@SaddleCat1]

One of my favorite Woodstock tunes, made playable. Thanks so much...!

[@schmackyback]

Excellent video, and I appreciate the bits of theory that you interject.

[@felixbenichou4795]

When you shoot, shoot don’t talk. The good the bad and the ugly.

[@patrickshea9212]

I really have to thank you for this! I've been looking for this easier way to play it forever because the online chords and tabs are indecipherable and this dispenses with a LOT of that rubish and makes it doable for somebody (me) who plays mainly first position shapes and power chords.

[@Hoodrio]

Glad to help, Patrick. Thanks for the kind feedback! Check out some of my other lessons in The Who playlist.

[@RollingStoneZzzzz]

You make it look easy! It's not! 👍🏻

[@Holonomics]

As your 100th comment I would just like to say you really explain this song well for someone like me who plays for fun but who is trying to improve a bit. Cheers as my playing actually sounds a little like the song now (although still miles away from the quality of Townsend of course :) )

[@zzznakedoctur2681]

Love the MINOR theory explanations, as well as all the little GENERAL tips you throw in; you really explain how these chord shapes fit in to THIS SONGS progression, as opposed to how you could/would play them otherwise. VERY clear and very informative!!!

[@zzznakedoctur2681]

yea really nice...i bet this tune would sound amazing on a rickenbacker as well

[@MonsieurVersatile]

Great vid. But what's that Gretsch you're playing here? ANd I notice it has non-matching pickups? Are these aftermarket additions? Cheers

[@tomsexton4880]

Very well taught. Thank you for the lesson.

[@rbdavisphoto]

I've watched a lot of guitar lessons to pick up styles and riffs for rhythm, and I gotta hand it to you. You are clear concise and more over RIGHT ON, people make things hard when they really never are. PLEASE ADD MORE!!!!

[@ginamori8656]

I want his guitar

[@VelociTiger]

EXCELLENT EXCELLENT JOB !!! I have looked for these chords for a long time. Nice job again and thanks ! V

[@alexdickey9542]

That Gretsch sounds incredible playing Pete style! Well done! How much of Pete's tone comes from pedals and amps here? Let us know your rig!

[@martinbirch632]

Hi Hoodrio being an old git it has taken a few months for me to master this and Sparks thanks for this I love the way you have taught me this and Neil Young........if you are ever bored would love you to do amazing journey ....medley the last part of my generation ( coming out to get you, driving four etc ) and maybe powderfinger by Neil young only if you are really bored ha ha ....regards

[@JohnnyArtPavlou]

Awesome, thank you...plan on viewing many times!

[@GiantPinhead]

Came back to this a decade later and it is really terrific. Thank you!

[@RollingStoneZzzzz]

Good stuff Bro!!

[@Extazid]

Hi! If you see this comment can you please answer this. The G minor you play in the D shape sounds very similar (In fact contains some of the notes as Gm) to a Ebmaj7(played in "A" shape) with a nother 5th of the chord played on the e string. Is there any music theory explination to this? Thanks!

[@CayusCaesar7]

👍👏🎸

[@CesitarLabarthe]

👌👌👏👏👏👏

[@joshuakozee5719]

very sweet loking guitar. ive never had the chance to play a Gretsch. ive been told the wilkinson roller bridge really brings the bigsby into its own

[@michaelmendillo7513]

What model Gretch is that ? Sounds & looks awesome ! 😁👍🎸🎶

[@Hoodrio]

Pro Jet, thanks! More details are in the video description.

[@michaelmendillo7513]

@@Hoodrio TY Sir ! Really like all your tutorials! And your guitars too ! You keep them all in pristine condition ! 😎✌️✝️💕🎸🎶🎶🎶

[@ADarklingstar1969]

Hey matey, nice run through and a lovely sounding set up too. Not 100% certain here, but the chord at the end of each run through the main body of the song (just before the vocals come back in each time) may actually be B7sus4 - only a small difference but it somehow sounds 'more Peteish'. Hope you won't mind this input...

[@skullduggery3377]

@Ryanmk13 pete loved his 57' gretsch chet atkins model so much, he used it on every track of the 'who's next' album. he claimed it went out of tune too often to use live, though.

[@vltjd]

The changed speaker in your amp, an Eminence Legend 1058, brought me to this video. I'm building a speaker cab and wanted to hear it. The lesson was so good I stayed for all of it, watched a few others and subscribed. Nicely done. Thanks.

[@cellardwellerproductions5125]

Hope I enjoyed. Immensely. I have to start playing again. His playing is so simple looking, and I am trying to reinvent the wheel here. Thanks for you time putting this together and posting it. Gonna go thru some of the others now.

[@dirtyharry4649]

And afterwards you smash your guitar to pieces!

[@scgemmen]

been waiting for you to post something new! glad I subscribe to your stuff. clean video and just the right balance of chords/theory. Thanks!

[@nihilatron]

Love the video -- great playing, thank you! -- and love your Pro Jet. I've done almost the same thing with my black one -- GS NYII in the neck, and a HS Filtertron in the bridge. Great guitar.

[@captainslam]

That is a sexy guitar. Enjoyed this lesson. Will be digging into more now.

[@p47paul]

Awesome looking Gretsch. I believe Townshend played the Chet Atkins Gretsch on most of Who's Next.

[@JohnnyMacalvee-cf7et]

Complicated matters. What a number. Great lesson!

[@robertbigler7743]

Excellent job of describing this song. Thank you!!!

[@PapaRoja]

This is fantastic. I've been playing this for 30 years but learned that I had been playing parts of it differently, namely not aware of the D minor shape being played on the sixth fret at the beginning. A subtle (but huge) difference. Great tempo and tone, as well. On to "Sparks"!

[@youyankagin]

It's an Ebmaj7 chord, even if Pete doesn't play an Eb at first. He's thinking Eb, and Entwistle plays the low Eb anyway. Of course, you are correct, Ebmaj7 contains all the Gm notes. Extended chords always have other chords within them. Great song, great band. 

[@5151jovin]

Thank you... outstanding! Can you teach us the Overture?

[@hutz13]

Fantastic lesson! really appreciate the explanations and step by step approach.

[@Senna-xi1gr]

Brilliant cheers 👍🇬🇧🎸

[@dronai]

Great siong choice, and a beautiful mix of chords. Much thx

[@PurpleWhirple]

Spent a very happy Sunday afternoon playing with this, thank you. Keep 'em coming!

[@adweed]

Howdy Mr. Hoodrio! How about a follow on to this excellent lesson with the "Who's Next" version of "Bargain"! I have a 59' 6120 and 57' Bandmaster. Please!!!

[@Hoodrio]

Andrew Weed Thanks, Andrew! I will put it on the list. Meanwhile, check out my lesson on Love Ain't for Keeping.

[@mikeymann7831]

Love the sound of your guitar. I forget how good those Gretsch solids are.

[@bufordbox]

Learn how to play 'Overture'and you can play the whole album pretty much. My guitar ability moved to a higher level from playing along with 'Tommy'.

[@Lizard_kang]

bufordbox thanks for this comment. I’m going to try that out

[@StarrPup15]

This is great, thanks for taking the time to put it together!

[@NoCommentChick]

@HemiGentrix It's PETE!

[@TimOestmann]

Hey thanks Hoodrio - that was good = )

[@twominutevideos4950]

Terrific job, thank you!

[@Mike00k7]

You're my hero, thanks!

[@TantricConvulsions]

it's an e flat major seven chord.

[@cwsgershwin]

Nice lesson, thanks

[@pesf69]

Great job, very good lesson!!!

[@MrCromstantinople]

Great lesson, thank you.

[@alsaxe1]

i play it as a b7sus also....

[@YERBLUES87]

04:27 Magic Chord.

[@joeprice9044]

Legend

[@TheJoeys]

great video

[@AlpineMusicSchool]

Excellent.

[@MrZscienceT]

Thanks so much.

[@254koloko]

nice guitar :D

[@jabrams1011]

What tuning is this in

[@tubetone74]

Excellent!!!

[@sofarsogut]

Yeas !!!

[@mikeymann7831]

Standard EADGBE

[@johnnymossville]

Awesome lesson

[@misterbracks]

your wrong about the B with the suspended 4th..if you listen carefully he is also playing the A on the 5th fret of the 1st string as well as the suspended 4th on the second string, and most of it comes with his right hand playing the tensions.

[@mateodlw7359]

I have a new hero

[@jkat2000]

thank you