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Geddy Lee
- Thread starter Andy Flees
- Start date
A lot of people get on Ged's case that he is too predictably triplet-happy. It doesnt't take considerable premonition to be able to "feel" Geddy's next triplet. However his left hand is where his playing shines more so than his attack. I guess its more his writing than his playing that inspires me. His choice of notes and their durations and placement that are unpredictable and appealing.
And again his jaw-dropping ability to never look at his neck. He's got eyes under his chin (nose?). Impressive considering his use of all registers.
And again his jaw-dropping ability to never look at his neck. He's got eyes under his chin (nose?). Impressive considering his use of all registers.
Geddy's probably my biggest influence in terms of bassists i tried to emulate when learning, And my favorite Rock bassist. His lines are probably so great because he and lifeson have total control and their instrumentation have always been in the forefront.Kevjmyers said:
As others stated check out some bassists from other music genres, they are also just as great at what they do. the term "Best musician" should never be thrown around... Tis silly
doesnt he also play a synth foot pedal as well? and at the same time. cant forget about his anthem for the great white north, take off eh!
Yah, he plays pedals as well you hoser.
Love his playing & his voice... not so much the supermullet.
Love his playing & his voice... not so much the supermullet.
Geddy Lee is one of my main influences. Just listeninig to 2112 makes me want to play everyday. I can't believe some people don't like him because of his voice. 
His tone and technique are unique. Geddy is the man.
and stuff...
His tone and technique are unique. Geddy is the man.and stuff...
if you want to be like geddy eat soup everyday and have a designated pair of stage shoes. but mostly focus on the soup, thats really important.
we love our own little bass/keys/pedal playin' 'geddy;'
http://xush.net/clips/LIVEAMclips.htm
I think he gets a pretty 'geddy-ish' tone, it's fun trading solos on YYZ with him.
Just thought I'd share a little love. Fortunately we have a singer of the female persuasion to handle the vocals.
4 huge Rush fans in my band. Most fun I've ever had!~
http://xush.net/clips/LIVEAMclips.htm
I think he gets a pretty 'geddy-ish' tone, it's fun trading solos on YYZ with him.
Just thought I'd share a little love. Fortunately we have a singer of the female persuasion to handle the vocals.
4 huge Rush fans in my band. Most fun I've ever had!~
My faves in order (studio only)
2112
Moving pictures
Hemispheres
A farewell to kings
Permanent waves
Vapor trails
Roll the bones
Counterparts
Test for echo
Power windows
Hold your fire
Caress of steel
Fly by night
Presto
Signals
Grace under pressure
Rush
2112
Moving pictures
Hemispheres
A farewell to kings
Permanent waves
Vapor trails
Roll the bones
Counterparts
Test for echo
Power windows
Hold your fire
Caress of steel
Fly by night
Presto
Signals
Grace under pressure
Rush
I'm 30 and I've been his fan since 15. He, along with Paul McCartney and John Entwistle are the reason why I play bass. I've seen them live for the first time this year in Manchester and I cannot explain how far they are live from every other band I've ever seen live, either new or old, of any style. Geddy sounds exactly as in studio records, bu a bit more powerful. He doesn't miss a note in his singing while playing complex groovie bass parts. By the way, I absolutely love his voice. I prefer his "modern" way of singing that the old days' higher pitched one.
ANDRUCA
ANDRUCA
Steve DiGiorgio
Vintersorg - The Focusing Blur
song 7 - A Microscopical Macrocosm
Loud and awesome fretless playing.
Vintersorg - The Focusing Blur
song 7 - A Microscopical Macrocosm
Loud and awesome fretless playing.
Steve Lawson said:...And I just wish Geddy would quit trying so damn hard to look like me!!!
Steve
Invalid Link Removed
Steve
I just got the Live in Rio DVD and I agree that Geddy is copping your look with that new hairdo. The nerve of that guy.
I'm watching the Rush in Rio DVD right now, but they've never shown a clear shot of Geddy's picking hand.
Anyone know?
Anyone know?
I've seen him use one finger a lot. I'm sure he uses 2, never heard him with a pick.
I could be wrong... but I KNOW I've seen him use one finger a few times over the years
I could be wrong... but I KNOW I've seen him use one finger a few times over the years
He generally uses both fingers, however usually together in one motion, sort of up and down like you would strum a flamenco guitar.
He says he has developed this style over the years because it just seemed natural to move this way.
for his more pacy fills, he still uses alternate finger plucking. Bass Guitar Magazine Aug/Sep 2004 has an interview with him where they discuss his technique, and on the Rush In Rio DVD there are a few shots of him warming up (on the doco disc) where you can catch a close up of how he plays.
He says he has developed this style over the years because it just seemed natural to move this way.
for his more pacy fills, he still uses alternate finger plucking. Bass Guitar Magazine Aug/Sep 2004 has an interview with him where they discuss his technique, and on the Rush In Rio DVD there are a few shots of him warming up (on the doco disc) where you can catch a close up of how he plays.
Yes, he uses his fingers up and down and also plays with his fingernails. I think if you do a search you can find lots of information on his technique. This was discussed a lot of times here at TB.
Did Geddy use some sort of overdrive with his Ric's or is that just the natural sound?
I'm thinking of the sound on the 2112 album.
I'm thinking of the sound on the 2112 album.
Geddy meets James Brown? Hmmm...
This may read a little wacky, but Id just like to explain why I think Geddy Lee has got The Funk and then see what the rest of you have to say.
For a long time now, Ive thought of Geddy as a pretty funky bass player, despite the Progressive or Hard Rock classification that Rush gets labeled with. I dont necessarily disagree with those labels, I just think that they are a little incomplete if one were to describe where Geddy is coming from.
This idea was spurred on after listening to the Rush album Different Stages. Live In the final track on disc three, Cinderella Man, there is a two bar break between the end of the second chorus and the guitar solo. And in that break, if you listen carefully, you can hear Geddy say: Make it funky! in a synthesizer-coated voice. How hilarious is that?" I thought. Geddy Lee is quoting James Brown! But its actually not that odd.
The bass line Geddy plays during the following guitar solo (and the whole record really) demonstrates beautifully why I think Geddy really is a great bass player. He plays a busy, yet soulful and melodic line that glues the guitar to the drums in a highly skilled way like no one else can do. In a way that nobody else Ive ever heard, he pulls off a supporting bass line that is all at once contrapuntal and funky! Unless of course, you know of players like James Jamerson, George Porter or Jaco to name a few. Not bad for a skinny Jewish kid from Toronto.
I admit that I am an unabashed Geddy fan. In fact, I can remember clearly that the moment I decided to play bass was after hearing his cool bass riff in the middle of Cygnus X-1 when I was 13 years old. That was the moment I said: Oh man, thats cool. I GOTTA do that! Since then my musical tastes have grown and expanded considerably.
Fast forward to 38 years old, and I occasionally reflect on the irony about the fact that I am hired to play upright and electric bass for roots music bands that are so far removed from the Rush sound that its not even conceivable to most people that Geddy was ever an influence on me. When I tell my musical friends that Geddy was my first inspiration, they often say things like What? Or, Oh man, I never wouldve thought that! But Ive often felt that Geddy had a really good grasp of what many call The Funk.
After thinking about it, its not much of a leap really. Geddy has always cited two players (amongst others) as being influential on him. Foremost were Jack Bruce and a close second I believe was John Entwhistle. Now, if you look into their histories, you will find a lot of American roots bass players. Players such as Willie Dixon, James Jamerson, Ray Brown and on and on. All of them, guys who I think to be funky.
So just curious, what thoughts do fellow Tbers have on this?
This may read a little wacky, but Id just like to explain why I think Geddy Lee has got The Funk and then see what the rest of you have to say.
For a long time now, Ive thought of Geddy as a pretty funky bass player, despite the Progressive or Hard Rock classification that Rush gets labeled with. I dont necessarily disagree with those labels, I just think that they are a little incomplete if one were to describe where Geddy is coming from.
This idea was spurred on after listening to the Rush album Different Stages. Live In the final track on disc three, Cinderella Man, there is a two bar break between the end of the second chorus and the guitar solo. And in that break, if you listen carefully, you can hear Geddy say: Make it funky! in a synthesizer-coated voice. How hilarious is that?" I thought. Geddy Lee is quoting James Brown! But its actually not that odd.
The bass line Geddy plays during the following guitar solo (and the whole record really) demonstrates beautifully why I think Geddy really is a great bass player. He plays a busy, yet soulful and melodic line that glues the guitar to the drums in a highly skilled way like no one else can do. In a way that nobody else Ive ever heard, he pulls off a supporting bass line that is all at once contrapuntal and funky! Unless of course, you know of players like James Jamerson, George Porter or Jaco to name a few. Not bad for a skinny Jewish kid from Toronto.
I admit that I am an unabashed Geddy fan. In fact, I can remember clearly that the moment I decided to play bass was after hearing his cool bass riff in the middle of Cygnus X-1 when I was 13 years old. That was the moment I said: Oh man, thats cool. I GOTTA do that! Since then my musical tastes have grown and expanded considerably.
Fast forward to 38 years old, and I occasionally reflect on the irony about the fact that I am hired to play upright and electric bass for roots music bands that are so far removed from the Rush sound that its not even conceivable to most people that Geddy was ever an influence on me. When I tell my musical friends that Geddy was my first inspiration, they often say things like What? Or, Oh man, I never wouldve thought that! But Ive often felt that Geddy had a really good grasp of what many call The Funk.
After thinking about it, its not much of a leap really. Geddy has always cited two players (amongst others) as being influential on him. Foremost were Jack Bruce and a close second I believe was John Entwhistle. Now, if you look into their histories, you will find a lot of American roots bass players. Players such as Willie Dixon, James Jamerson, Ray Brown and on and on. All of them, guys who I think to be funky.
So just curious, what thoughts do fellow Tbers have on this?
As a fellow fan, must say I agree. Listen to much of the "Signals" album, and also tracks like "Red Lenses" from GUP and you can definitely hear a funk sensibility.
Thats what I think it is - he's not necessarily playing a funk line, but you can tell he has the sensibility of a funky player. It gets more obvious as he gets older and wiser with his lines.
The jam on ESL "YYZ" is awesome, and when you get down to most of the live stuff, there's always some funky little play-outs and jams at the end of songs. The Rush In Rio stuff is very jazz/funk influenced in some way.
Geddy is one awesome player!
Thats what I think it is - he's not necessarily playing a funk line, but you can tell he has the sensibility of a funky player. It gets more obvious as he gets older and wiser with his lines.
The jam on ESL "YYZ" is awesome, and when you get down to most of the live stuff, there's always some funky little play-outs and jams at the end of songs. The Rush In Rio stuff is very jazz/funk influenced in some way.
Geddy is one awesome player!
