New Rush

light_my_lucky · Post by **light_my_lucky** » Fri May 11, 2007 5:17 am

I think there are many ways to observe a band like RUSH. One mans gold is another mans ********. What I think is great is that they are so multi-dimensional and have evolved in different ways throughout the years that there is plenty to like, love and hate. You don't admire an artist by only embracing what you like. The Beatles have that quality as well. While I'm not a big fan of the White Album, I don't dismiss that era of the bands history. I really love Abbey Road, and if I had given up I never would have gotten to know that record.

I find when I really dislike a piece of music, I try to learn to play it. Sometimes it takes on new life and I learn to love it, or my disgust pops out and I truly hate it!

geddeeee · Post by **geddeeee** » Fri May 11, 2007 6:08 am

I'm not saying VT is absolute rubbish, I appreciate it for what it is. Some tracks I like, Earthshine, Vapor Trails and a few others, it just doesn't appear on my playlist as often as others.
I've learnt EVERY Rush track (trying to conquer Snakes & Arrows at the mo) because Geddy Lee is my idol, benchmark call him what you will. Plus learning Rush tunes gives me great satisfaction cos it's off the beaten track. And he's the reason I own a Rick.
After 27+ years of playing bass, I'm always honing my Rush skills so I can play them as note perfect as I can. That includes the Live variations.
But 'In The End'..... it's all a matter of opinion.
Peace and love to everyone!

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Fri May 11, 2007 7:57 am

Live variations? Do you know the 4 different ways to play the Freewill solo spot then?

I learned it 4 ways just to mix it up when playin that tune.

geddeeee · Post by **geddeeee** » Fri May 11, 2007 8:17 am

Yeah of course Nate! Depends which version I'm playing along to. Plus some bootlegs. Some of the old versions of Bytor and the Snowdog on the Ricky are mind blowing. The rhythm variations and timing are just so cool. Geddy's great now, but when he played his 4001 live, no-one could touch him, that includes Chris Squire. (don't flame me, just my opinion!! LOL!) The little improvs and rhythmic stuff was awesome.

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Fri May 11, 2007 9:33 am

Yeah, I know whatcha mean. I mix up the stuff when I play now though, dunno what part I'm gonna throw in there. Like the many ways to do the middle part of YYZ where the guitar solo is. Sometimes it's quick and complex and others is more rhythm based with the flamenco thing.

I don't even try to both to learn the ESL video version of By-Tor.. too crazy.

I'm impressed that you know ALL of the songs. I know about everything from Rush - HYF. I think I know all of RTB too (which is amazing to me, cuz I don't like that album that much), all but two songs from Counterparts, and a few tunes each from Presto, T4E, VT and Feedback. Didn't try any of the new ones yet.

geddeeee · Post by **geddeeee** » Fri May 11, 2007 10:03 am

I remember nailing Force 10 the first time. WOW! It's great that you change things up and put different fills from different versions. Good stuff!
I've been listening to Rush since Caress of Steel. Playing bass just seem so natural to me. I used to be a drummer when I was a boy, plus trumpet and guitar. My dad was a musician so the encouragement factor was very high.
When I picked up the bass, I knew this was MY instrument. When I heard Rush, the two things clicked. Back then I didn't know a Rick from a washtub. LOL.
I seem to learn very quickly too, which helps. I seem to hear things most people don't on first or second listen. I've been very lucky!
Hold Your Fire is a tough album to learn. Some of the bass fills are monstrous. With the Wal at least it was high in the mix. Nowadays his Fender is anonymous. Same with Moving Pictures. Can you imagine what it would sound like with ALL Rick. Not just Camera Eye and Barchetta.
Anyway, good to talk to like minded Geddy fanatics.
Later......

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Fri May 11, 2007 1:11 pm

Hey Mark, one more question? Do you sing the songs when you play them too? I don't think I'd enjoy Rush nearly as much if Geddy wasn't the singer too. I can't really play a Rush song without singing it. And yes, I can scream/sing like that, so it works out.

geddeeee · Post by **geddeeee** » Fri May 11, 2007 2:18 pm

Yeah, I sing too. Some of it is a real *****, but once I've learnt the bass line, I just mouth along until I've got the rhythmic phrasing right.
I sing lead vocal with my band anyway. Yeah, we are a 3 piece. Unfortunately the other guys don't wanna do Rush songs. Their loss. I can live with it. Hahaha!
You must have a good powerful voice to do the Geddy scream. My natural pitch is a bit lower, but if I open up my lungs I can screech.
I've been told I sound a bit like Robert Plant, so all is not lost. LOL!

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Fri May 11, 2007 2:39 pm

I think my voice has gottan much better in the past few months. All the time before that I'd go falsetto and screetch like that to do Geddy, but now I can do it in my natural range. Now I try to sing stuff smooth and try to not have it distort. I think I can pull off old Queensrÿche pretty well. Geoff Tate's awesome. My dad's a singer, and he has a big ego about himself, and when he tells me I'm good that must mean something. I think I can out do him on some Rÿche stuff now. He has mastered other stuff too, like Bruce Dickenson and Rob Halford. I'm trying to move into Halford territory now, I just gotta learn the words.

The other night I bought my computer to his place to sing some tunes, and we both tried Halford's "Resurrection". This is after we were singing for about an hour, so it was a bad move. My dad burnt out on the first verse, and I tried the second, but then I burnt out. No wonder Rob's the "Metal God".

geddeeee · Post by **geddeeee** » Fri May 11, 2007 3:39 pm

Yeah Rob and Bruce are great singers. I think it's just trying to train your voice. Takes a while.
I'm a good singer, but I wanna be great. Dunno if that's possible, but I keep trying.
My bass playing keeps getting better too, and I'm happy about that as well.
Bass is my main thing, so as long as that keeps improving, I can die a happy man!