Boston - Foreplay/Long Time - Guitar Lesson

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Boston - Foreplay/Long Time - Guitar Lesson

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Boston Classic Rock G major
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Foreplay/Long Time


"Foreplay/Long Time" is a two-part suite by the American rock band Boston, written by guitarist and engineer Tom Scholz. It appears on their 1976 debut album Boston, combining an instrumental intro ("Foreplay") with the full song ("Long Time"), typically played as one continuous piece. The track is a rewarding challenge for electric guitarists, showcasing layered guitar tones, intricate riffing, and Scholz's signature approach to building dynamic tension before a full-band payoff.

  • Tom Scholz wrote and largely recorded the debut album himself, making the guitar tones a key part of Boston's identity.
  • "Long Time" peaked at No. 22 on the US Billboard Hot 100, with the chart week ending March 5, 1977.
  • "Foreplay" alone was released as the B-side of Boston's next single, "Peace of Mind", giving the instrumental its own separate release.
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