“Won’t Get Fooled Again” Synth Intro

Piano version of one of the most unique and harmonically fascinating keyboard parts in rock history…

… composed and constructed by Pete Townshend using some very inventive harmonic interplay along with some electronic wizardry in the studio.

Watch Frank Play on the Piano…

Frank’s Transcription…

Note: The score for the entire piece is available for a donation to the website.

Study-Practice-Performance Notes

  • Technically, a fabulous etude in medium tempo repeated chords.
  • Rhythmically, a relentless barrage of eighth notes.
  • Compositionally, a great example of patterns not easily explained by conventional theory.
  • Melodically, the right hand is an exploration of an A major penta-chord.
  • Harmonically, an enduring pedal point on A clearly establishes this in the key of A. The notes C# and G suggest a mixolydian flavor (thus the key signature of two sharps). The last few bars are unambiguously Mixolydian (the workhorse I-bVII-IV chord progression).

Is anyone interested in a how-to video demonstrating the technique and choreography for playing this with freedom and ease? Comment below!

learn more… Pop-Rock School

12 responses to ““Won’t Get Fooled Again” Synth Intro”

  1. Paul Boos Avatar
    Paul Boos

    This would take quite a bit to play; so congrats on reconstructing it.

    It was actually played by passing an organ through a low frequency oscillator (LFO) set as a square wave opening and closing the filter as a gate to achieve the 8th notes. Pete Townsend then only needed to play the chord structured and the LFO took care of the rest.

    Reply
    1. Frank J Peter Avatar
      Frank J Peter

      Thanks for the words of appreciation, Paul… and for sharing your insider knowledge regarding this important piece of rock music history.

      Reply
      1. Jim Coupe Avatar
        Jim Coupe

        Hi Frank, I would like a copy of the full version of Won’t Get Fooled Again by The Who. Is there a link please…I will happily make a donation. Thank you

        Reply
        1. Frank J. Peter Avatar
          Frank J. Peter

          Thanks for asking, Jim. It is done. Sent to you by email. Enjoy!

          Reply
  2. Dave Baxter Avatar
    Dave Baxter

    Thanks for this interesting discussion on the chords. Pete actually used a VCS3 synth (I remember using them back in the 70s myself) to process an organ sound. Paul was nearly correct – the sound was processed by passing it through a VCA which was modulated by a low frequency square wave to create that hard tremolo effect where the sound is switched on and off – thus saving all those 8th notes being played. It was then passed through a VCF configured as band-pass filter and its resonant frequency was swept up and down using another LFO probably set to a triangle wave. Just about any modern synth can do this easily. A Matrix Brute for example can easily process an organ sound like this or a polysynth like the Novation Peak or Summit will can also produce the organ sound and process it all in one instrument.

    Reply
    1. Frank J Peter Avatar
      Frank J Peter

      Thanks a million for sharing your knowledge of the electronic wizardry, Dave. If I was younger, I’d invest some time and energy in studying sound synthesis. Alas, I already have my hands full trying to get good on just the piano. All the best to you in music and life. Cheers!

      Reply
  3. John Farrell Avatar
    John Farrell

    Hi! I just set up a monthly donation. I’m wondering how to download a copy of your transcription of Won’t Get Fooled Again. Thanks for enlightening me! And thank you for assembling such a fantastic site!

    Reply
    1. Frank J Peter Avatar
      Frank J Peter

      Thanks so much for the words of appreciation and your donation, John. I just sent the score (and midi file) for the entire piece to your email. Enjoy!

      Reply
  4. PGrant Avatar
    PGrant

    I made a donation. Thanks for the transcription above and the great explanation of its harmonic workings.

    Reply
    1. Frank J. Peter Avatar
      Frank J. Peter

      Thanks so much the kind words and donation, Patrick. It really means a lot coming from an artist of your caliber. Please check you email for the full score and midi file. And all the best to you in music and life!

      Reply
  5. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I made a donation. Please send the rest of the music. David

    Reply
    1. Frank J. Peter Avatar
      Frank J. Peter

      It’s in your email, David. Enjoy.

      Reply

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