Behind Blue Eyes – The Who

"Behind Blue Eyes" by The Who is a beautifully crafted song that offers a rich array of guitar techniques perfect for intermediate to advanced players. At LickLibrary, we provide a comprehensive, note-for-note guitar lesson that breaks down this classic track, helping players develop their technical skills and expressive playing. This lesson is not just about learning a legendary song—it’s about mastering the subtle nuances that make Pete Townshend’s guitar work so emotionally compelling and dynamically effective. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Song and Guitar Work

Released in 1971 as part of The Who’s critically acclaimed album "Who's Next", "Behind Blue Eyes" is a song of two halves—starting with a melancholic acoustic section and building into a powerful electric rock chorus. This dynamic contrast provides a unique challenge for guitarists, demanding both finesse and power.

Pete Townshend, the band’s primary guitarist and songwriter, is celebrated for his rhythmic precision, unconventional chord voicings, and ability to convey emotion through simplicity and dynamic range. His approach in "Behind Blue Eyes" demonstrates all of this, combining delicate finger-style work with gritty power chord-based riffs. Learning this song offers students insight into how to build emotional tension and release through both technique and arrangement.

Acoustic Section Breakdown

Finger-Picking

The intro and verses of "Behind Blue Eyes" feature intricate finger-picking patterns that require precision and a soft touch. This technique helps develop independence between the thumb and fingers, improving overall finger coordination and control.

Arpeggiated Chord Progressions

Throughout the soft acoustic part, players will engage in arpeggiated chord progressions, where chords are broken into individual notes played in sequence. This enhances right-hand accuracy and teaches players how to build harmonic textures that add emotional depth to their playing.

Slides and Hammer-Ons

You’ll also find expressive slides and smooth hammer-ons within the acoustic section. These techniques provide musical phrasing and help develop smoother transitions between notes—essential for expressive playing.

Electric Section Breakdown

Power Chords

When the song moves into its harder rock chorus, Townshend introduces aggressive power chords. Mastering power chords is crucial for any rock guitarist, helping to build strength and accuracy in fretting hand positioning while forming the backbone of countless rock riffs.

Palm Muting

Accompanying these power chords is effective use of palm muting, which gives rhythmic definition and clarity to distorted guitar parts. Learning this technique enhances control and dynamic contrast, helping students maintain tight, articulate playing even at higher gain levels.

Open String Riffs

The electric section also features clever use of open string riffs, adding a ringing quality and expanding the tonal range without complex fingerings. This technique is fantastic for creating big sounds while keeping the part playable.

Benefits of Learning “Behind Blue Eyes”

"Behind Blue Eyes" is more than just a song—it’s a study in emotional expression, dynamic control, and stylistic contrast. By learning this track with our note-for-note lesson, students gain:

• Improved rhythmic control through dynamic shifts from acoustic to electric sections.
• Enhanced finger dexterity and coordination through finger-picking and arpeggios.
• Better expressive tools like slides, hammer-ons, and palm muting that bring music to life.
• Foundational rock rhythm chops via power chords and open string riffs.

Whether you're developing your acoustic finger-style or refining your electric rock tone, this lesson gives you practical, real-world applications for a wide variety of techniques.

About Pete Townshend

Pete Townshend’s influence as a guitarist cannot be overstated. While not always praised for technical flashiness, his musical instincts, rhythmic innovation, and songwriting genius have made him one of the most important guitarists in rock history. His playing on “Behind Blue Eyes” exemplifies his ability to craft emotionally resonant music using space, dynamics, and melodic phrasing. By studying his work, guitarists can learn how to connect technique with storytelling—a vital skill for any serious musician.

Techniques Covered in This Lesson

• Finger-Picking
• Arpeggiated Chord Progressions
• Hammer-Ons
• Slides
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Open String Riffs

Learn "Behind Blue Eyes" with our in-depth guitar lesson and take your playing to a new level by mastering these essential techniques in the context of a timeless rock classic.