Guitar & Bass Tabs
Boston
About Boston
Boston rose from the mind of guitarist-turned-studio innovator Tom Scholz in the mid-1970s. A Massachusetts-based engineer, Scholz built the band around meticulous home recordings and a relentless pursuit of tone. After recruiting vocalist Brad Delp and adding a durable core lineup, Boston released their self-titled debut in 1976, a record that fused gleaming guitar harmonies with punchy riffs and soaring melodies. The album yielded timeless tracks like More Than a Feeling, Peace of Mind, and the monumental Foreplay/Long Time, and it quickly became one of rock’s most celebrated debut albums.
Boston's influence on rock music goes beyond sales and charts: it defined a studio-forward, guitar-driven sound that pairs radio-ready hooks with intricate arrangement. The band’s multi-tracked guitars and shimmering tones helped shape arena rock in the late 70s and 80s, while Scholz’s behind-the-scenes innovations—most famously the Rockman guitar preamp—left a lasting imprint on guitar tone. The legacy endures in the enduring popularity of their catalog and in the way countless players study their precise grooves, melodic leads, and unmistakable wall of sound.
🎸 Want to know what gear Boston used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
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Something About You
Boston
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Rock & Roll Band
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More Than A Feeling
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Hitch A Ride
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Party
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Cool The Engines
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Amanda
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Don't Look Back
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Peace Of Mind
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Smokin
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Foreplay Long Time
Boston
View Tab →Playing Style
Boston's playing style centers on tight rhythm guitar, soaring dual leads, and a melodic, hook-driven approach. Their sound often features punchy power chords, controlled palm muting, and clean arpeggios that give way to confident, emotive solos. The band is known for multi-tracked guitar harmonies that create a big, shimmering wall of sound, with a strong emphasis on memorable hooks and dynamic contrasts. Guitarists will notice how phrasing and tone range—from crisp, sparkling cleans to smoky overdrive—carry the arrangements, making their songs a fantastic study in classic rock guitar craftsmanship.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
Iconic gear for Boston centers on Tom Scholz's Rockman preamp and SR&D gear, which helped craft his studio-perfect tone. The band’s early rig involved a wall of amplifiers and a collection of vintage guitars—think Gibson-style Les Pauls and Fender electrics—paired with heavy emphasis on layered textures and controlled sustain that define the Boston sound.
Why Learn Boston Songs?
Learning Boston tunes builds solid rock fundamentals: tight rhythm guitar, memorable hooks, and the art of layering guitar parts to recreate that signature wall of sound. The catalog offers a range of tempos and textures, from hard-hitting riffing to soaring, melodic leads, making it ideal for developing precision picking, timing, and dynamics. With 12 dedicated lessons on DadRock Tabs, players will gain confidence in arpeggios, power-chord progressions, and harmonic layering—all essential skills for crafting polished, arena-ready rock.
Did You Know?
- 1Tom Scholz started Boston as a studio project in his home basement before the band became a touring act.
- 2Brad Delp's soaring vocal style helped define Boston's instantly recognizable sound on the 1976 debut.
- 3Tom Scholz invented the Rockman guitar preamp, a key piece of gear that shaped Boston's iconic tone.
- 4Boston's self-titled debut became one of the best-selling debut albums in rock history.
11 Boston lesson(s) available — Start learning today!
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