Hitch A Ride

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This video has a commentary lesson and then normal speed playthrough footage.

The Hitch A Ride lesson includes an 18 minute video where I explain how I technically play each lick in the guitar solos.  Also included is a play-through of each solo with background music and a printable tab file, including the tab for the full song with rhythm guitar parts.  Note this is done in D major which requires being tuned up about a half step higher than normal.  Read below for more info...

In standard 440 Hz tuning, Hitch a Ride is closer to Eb than D.   So why do I think it is in D?

  • First off, it's not exaclty in Eb either.  It's slightly flat from that.
  • If you figure out the acoustic rhythm parts (mainly the intro and before the final solo), it is clear that they are "open" chords.  So this could only be in Eb if they capo'd the first fret.  Not only unlikely, but the open strings sound brighter and more resonant than if they were capo'd.
  • The highest note played on the high harmony lead is a D bent a whole step up to an E.  In Eb, it would an Eb  bent to an F.. on a 22 fret guitar you would need to bend the D 3 frets (a whole plus a half step).  Could have been, but still unlikely.
  • Lastly, I've seen them play it live, and they play it live in D !!!!
So if it's in D, that means Boston was tuned up so high - almost a whole step - to play it.  Plus there are keyboards in the song.  Though some keyboards have electronic tuning, some do not... especially hammond organs in the 1970's.
So they either tuned up high, or the finished tracks were sped up.
After the song was recorded, it could have been decided it came across better up tempo a bit, and so the speed of the tracks were increased slightly, thus raising the pitch.  All they would have to do is re-record the vocals to keep Brad's voice from not sounding authentic.