How does Geddy come up with his basslines?

[Stingray89]

I've been listening to alot of Rush lately and I'm always amazed at Geddy's basslines. Now I've only been playing for about a year or so, and I can't ever come up with the stuff he comes up with,but I guess alot of that has to do with expirience to seeing as how older he is and everything. But what do you think makes Geddy's basslines so great? Do you think he has some secret technique or does it probably just come more natural to some people like him?

[jgroh]

Natural ability IMO. Plus, keep in mind that they are a 3 piece so he has the space to stretch out. And being the main songwriter (musically), the songs get a good dose of bass while being created.

[jsingles]

he eats alphabet cereal in the morning but he only uses A-G, so then he just spoons them out and plays those notes, making them sharp natural or flat depending on how soggy they are. it is a SECRET TECHNIQUE.

i would guess just through experience. I don't think he has a particular method he sits down and implements every time.. but i dont know the man so dont take my word for it.

[ksandvik]

He's melodic in nature, i.e. sings as well as plays other instruments, which then colorizes his bass playing. I.e. do the same and magic will or will not happen. --Kent

[rfclef]

Well, when he goes to bed, he leaves out his old Steinberger (he doesn't mind 'em playing it) and the lyrics to the new song, and the Canadian Bass Elves (named Baub and Duhg) come out at midnight and hammer, hammer, pluck and pop all night and when Geddy wakes up, there it is. Beauty, eh?

[TrevorOfDoom]

he throws darts at a wall covered with note names.


or at least that's how i do it.

now if only i could figure out why i can't get a gig to save my life. huh...

[Ian Perge]

The soup...

[Ric5]

There are bass players who can play a lot faster than Geddy (Billy Sheenan for instance) But Geddy makes excellent choices as to which notes he plays and the timing and the tone.

Part is natural ability and part is playing a lot since the late 60s.

[jgroh]

Originally Posted by Ric5

There are bass players who can play a lot faster than Geddy (Billy Sheenan for instance) But Geddy makes excellent choices as to which notes he plays and the timing and the tone.

Part is natural ability and part is playing a lot since the late 60s.

+1

[Mikeyd74]

With a Ouija board, just like most other bass players I know.

[MrBorisSpider]

It's experience, man. Geddy has been playing bass for probably as long as you or I have been alive and then some. Your ears HAVE to improve by then. He can play the melodies he hears in his mind. That's how you do it. Work on your relative pitch and play the things you hear in your head. Every great composer in history has done it.

[Valerus]

It's gotta be the shoes.

[van_gogh_bass]

Agree, his basslines are great!

I believe I read years ago in Guitar Player (pre-Bass Player - dating myself here!) that his melodic playing was a result of his singing. That is, he found it easier to play lines that, in effect, followed his vocal.

Quite frankly, I don't see how he can sing and play the way he does. Amazing.

[jeromebass]

Originally Posted by ksandvik

He's melodic in nature

Yea, I have to agree. He uses scale patterns rather than hanging on the one and five. It's very similar to the way I play. I was previously a guitarist.

[Mastermold]

In his interview on youtube he said when composing a song he sometimes comes up with a bass line but once the guitar parts are added he has to abandon it and go with something else so as not to lose the bottom end. That's what makes him so good, it's not so much about his chops as it is about the song.

[The Golden Boy]

My favorite Geddy line is from the chorus of "Temples Of Syrinx."

Nothing difficult- but it moves the song so well.

[MikeyB]

Sure, Geddy's been playing a long time, but let's not forget that he came up with some great bass lines when he was still fairly young!

And, actually, I think his older stuff showcases the melodic/prog basslines the best.

And 2nd the thought about being singer/songwriter in a 3 piece... and add to that a great drummer that can augment and punch up the basslines in all the right places.

I heard Geddy comment once that his playing isn't as fancy as people think - it has a lot to do with Neil. I'm sure he was being gracious there, but there's truth to it as well.

-M

[stratovani]

Originally Posted by MikeyB

Sure, Geddy's been playing a long time, but let's not forget that he came up with some great bass lines when he was still fairly young!

And, actually, I think his older stuff showcases the melodic/prog basslines the best.

And 2nd the thought about being singer/songwriter in a 3 piece... and add to that a great drummer that can augment and punch up the basslines in all the right places.

I heard Geddy comment once that his playing isn't as fancy as people think - it has a lot to do with Neil. I'm sure he was being gracious there, but there's truth to it as well.

-M

I've heard every Rush song there is, and IMO Geddy's playing has matured to the point where his playing is more restrained today, as opposed to his younger days where his playing was very busy. I think that also applies to Alex and Neil as well. I agree with the comment Geddy made that his playing isn't as fancy as people think; I think it's gotten tastier over the years.

[Parabolic Box]

Originally Posted by MikeyB

Sure, Geddy's been playing a long time, but let's not forget that he came up with some great bass lines when he was still fairly young!

And, actually, I think his older stuff showcases the melodic/prog basslines the best.

And 2nd the thought about being singer/songwriter in a 3 piece... and add to that a great drummer that can augment and punch up the basslines in all the right places.

I heard Geddy comment once that his playing isn't as fancy as people think - it has a lot to do with Neil. I'm sure he was being gracious there, but there's truth to it as well.

-M

Mmhmm. Neil and Geddy make a good noise. Actually, all three of them have a great dynamic, and that makes the bass lines work well, too. That neither person is trying to outdo one-another.

[EagleMoon]

Originally Posted by stratovani

I've heard every Rush song there is, and IMO Geddy's playing has matured to the point where his playing is more restrained today, as opposed to his younger days where his playing was very busy. I think that also applies to Alex and Neil as well. I agree with the comment Geddy made that his playing isn't as fancy as people think; I think it's gotten tastier over the years.

I remember him saying in an interview that when he was younger all of them liked to show off with their playing, so I'm sure that's part of it. He probably feels that he's proved himself as a bass player a long time ago and doesn't need to show off anymore (as much )