How to play songs like yyz

[1dgbass]

Hey All,

I've been playing for three and a half years and was just wondering how people play stuff like yyz by Rush. It just seems so impossible for me. Are there and speed excersises I could try?

I am a huge Rush fan and can play some of Geddy's lines, but this one seems like I'll never get it!!!

Any help? Tips?

Thanks.

[Craig_S]

Play the riff slowly, until you don't have to think about it.

[rappa29]

practice....A LOT...for real...there are no shortcuts....and practice slowly as stated above...

[I<34080]

Know what notes you're supposed to be playing first, speed will come later.

[1dgbass]

Thanks. I hope to be able to play it in the next decade.

[SteveC]

Speed comes with knowledge.

[jmattbassplaya]

+1 to what has already been said.

In music there are no shortcuts. You have to put in the time, effort, and energy... but the reward is more than worth it

Here's some tips I've picked up when I did band in middle school and high school:

1. Listen to the piece you want to play and divide it up into manageable sections.
2. Learn the piece by memory first. Be able to sing the part you're attempting to play. If you can do this then you have it memorized.
3. Take the part you want to learn and then slow it down. Always use a metronome. It's tempting to rush things and try to get up to speed right away, but first let your muscles build memory on what they are suppose to do.
4. Slowly build up speed by 5 or 10bpm's at a time. Don't move on when you first get it right - Move on when you can no longer get it wrong.
5. Don't stress about learning it in one sitting. Set manageable goals and work at them at a comfortable pace. It will come in time. Trust me.
6. Have fun! Learn to laugh at mistakes because they will happen, and often, when you're a fairly new player. If you do this music will become much more enjoyable and not a negative burden.

Hope that helps! If you have any questions on practicing skills or techniques feel free to ask me here or through a PM

[MonetBass]

Originally Posted by SteveC

Speed comes with knowledge.

And muscle memory comes with practice.

[Ric5]

Originally Posted by 1dgbass

Hey All,

I've been playing for three and a half years and was just wondering how people play stuff like yyz by Rush. It just seems so impossible for me. Are there and speed excersises I could try?

I am a huge Rush fan and can play some of Geddy's lines, but this one seems like I'll never get it!!!

Any help? Tips?

Thanks.

Actually playing YYZ is not the hard part. The hard part is playing the 54 note arpeggios note for note together with the full band.

I was reading this week about when Rush took several years off. When they got back together they sounded like a bad Rush tribute band. It takes hard work to play Rush stuff.

[JPaulGeddy]

yeah, just when you think you have it, try playing it live. That'll humble ya real quick.

[noahw1]

Practice, practice, practice and learning pieces like this slowly first and then build up your speed.

[stratovani]

Actually, YYZ, like La Villa Strangiato, is one of Rush's more complex pieces. Try something simpler (well, relatively simpler!) to start with, like 2112 or Hemispheres: Prelude. Most of Rush's music is riff-based and is developed on certain musical "themes". For example, listen to Xanadu. There are several riff-based themes that you have to learn in order to play it. Learn those and whatever embellishments that Geddy throws in and you'll be playing it just as if you were Rush's bassist you whole life!