Guitar & Bass Tabs

Journey

24
lessons available

About Journey

Journey formed in 1973 in San Francisco as an adventurous blend of blues-rock, prog textures, and soaring vocal melodies. The core duo of guitarist Neal Schon and keyboardist Gregg Rolie helped shape a sound that balanced technical flair with catchy hooks, paving the way for a generation of arena rock. The band’s early years were marked by evolving personnel and a growing reputation for instrumental prowess, with Aynsley Dunbar delivering tight, powerhouse drumming and solid rhythm foundation.

In 1977, lead vocalist Steve Perry joined, turning Journey into a global phenomenon with hits like Don't Stop Believin’, Open Arms, and Separate Ways. The Escape era (1981) solidified their status as one of the defining acts of the era, combining memorable melodies with lush production. Journey has sold over 80 million records worldwide and earned induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017, underscoring their enduring impact on rock music and popular culture.

Today, Journey’s legacy continues to inspire players across generations. DadRock Tabs features 25 Journey lessons, including songs like Rubicon, Patiently, Keep On Runnin, Still They Ride, Stay Awhile, Only The Young, Ask The Lonely, Chain Reaction, The Party’s Over, and Winds Of March, offering a guided path to learning the band’s signature blend of guitar hooks, harmonies, and big choruses.

🎸 Want to know what gear Journey used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!

Watch the Lesson

Any Way You Want It
#1

Any Way You Want It

Don't Stop Believing
#2

Don't Stop Believing

Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'
#3

Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'

Stone In Love
#4

Stone In Love

Lights
#5

Lights

Feeling That Way
#6

Feeling That Way

Anytime
#7

Anytime

Wheel In The Sky
#8

Wheel In The Sky

Too Late
#9

Too Late

Who's Crying Now
#10

Who's Crying Now

Seperate Ways
#11

Seperate Ways

Open Arms
#12

Open Arms

Be Good To Yourself
#13

Be Good To Yourself

Mother Father
#14

Mother Father

Winds Of March
#15

Winds Of March

The Party's Over
#16

The Party's Over

Chain Reaction
#17

Chain Reaction

Ask The Lonely
#18

Ask The Lonely

Only The Young
#19

Only The Young

Stay Awhile
#20

Stay Awhile

Still They Ride
#21

Still They Ride

Keep On Runnin
#22

Keep On Runnin

Patiently
#23

Patiently

Rubicon
#24

Rubicon

Deep Dive

Playing Style

Journey’s guitar voice centers on Neal Schon’s melodic leads and solid rhythm textures, built on blues-rock phrasing, expressive bends, and long, singing lines. The band is known for harmonized guitar parts and memorable hooks, with a focus on tone that slides between clean, shimmering rhythms and soaring, sustain-rich solos. Common techniques include expressive bends, vibrato, legato runs, and tasteful arpeggios, often backed by palm-muted chording and confident alternate picking. The interplay between guitar and keyboards creates a lush, anthem-ready sound, while the bass lines from Ross Valory lock in with drums to form a powerful foundation for the guitar’s vocal-like phrasing.

🎸 Gear & Equipment

Iconic gear associated with Journey centers on Neal Schon’s guitar rig and the band’s lush live tones. Schon is closely linked to PRS Guitars, including signature models that helped shape his clean-to-crunch voice on many tracks. Live tones have often leaned on tube-driven Marshall/Mesa-style amplification for punch and headroom, complemented by chorus and delay to broaden the expansive, arena-wall of sound. Bassist Ross Valory typically anchors the low end with a solid Fender Jazz Bass, while keyboardists Gregg Rolie and Jonathan Cain add shimmering textures and pad-like layers that color the overall sonic landscape.

Why Learn Journey Songs?

Learning Journey’s catalog builds foundational rock skills you’ll use again and again: melodic lead phrasing, memorable chordal hooks, and tight rhythm-guitar work that sits perfectly with bass and drums. The songs vary in difficulty, offering approachable tracks for beginners and more intricate, expressive solos for intermediate players. As you work through these tunes, you’ll develop tone control, phrasing, bends, and timing—core arena-rock fundamentals that translate to countless classic rock styles beyond Journey.

Did You Know?

  • 1Journey formed in 1973 in San Francisco with Neal Schon and Gregg Rolie as core members, and Aynsley Dunbar on drums in the early lineup.
  • 2Steve Perry joined Journey in 1977, transforming the band into a global arena rock phenomenon during the early 1980s.
  • 3Don't Stop Believin' has become one of the most enduring rock anthems and achieved worldwide popularity long after its release.
  • 4Journey was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.

24 Journey lesson(s) available — Start learning today!

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