The 2112 Thread.

I was a teenager when 2112 first came out.

I listen to it 35 years later, it still sounds fresh, innovative, and amazing. Proof that creativity trumps technology every time. I've learned every song (including those on "Side 2") note-for-note on both bass and guitar. If I had the time and energy I would have assembled a drum kit and learned that part too. It's like the Prog Rock Bible.

 

As Rush pieces go, I actually find the 2112 Suite quite obtainable for intermediate bass players.

Tons of tips and vids here and on YouTube.

 

I concur that although it is a lengthy piece, it's one of the technically easier songs to learn on bass. By no means easy, but not nearly the bear that most Rush songs are.

 

Yeah, like this one

Rush The Analog Kid - YouTube

 

Try this feat of vocal, synth, and bass coordination on for size:

Rush - Turn The Page ( A Show Of Hands ) - YouTube

 

The thing I like most in 2112 is that I feel there is a total connection between the music and the lyrics, it's like a perfect work of art.

I concur with the others saying that it is one of the most playable Rush songs on bass - arguably it's a bit too long to play always from beginning to end and the parts in between can be a little boring sometimes, hence I like to do Overture - The Temples Of Syrinx - Grand Finale, like they did in some of the recent concerts, IIRC. It's also very fun to play, too.

Now, when I'll learn to play Hemispheres, that's when I can die happy. I might have to be immortal for that

Also, let me say it's nice to see young people discovering good music like this - I'm a bit older than you (31) but discovered Rush a few years ago myself and was blown away. I HAD to play bass after that.

 

I heard 2112 and Farewell To Kings on the same day (right after they came out) and my mind was blown and my life was changed forever.
All these years later I love these albums. Even though a few tracks or parts on 2112 are silly or a little boring (they were growing up in public after all) 2112 is a classic. And yes, it was a near religious experience for me.

 

2112 changed me. It made me get serious about music and eventually pick up the bass guitar. It is one of the best rock albums ever recorded.

 

The hardest thing about 2112 for me is syncing up with the very beginning of the 2112 Overture:

E-A
(pause)
C-G-D
(pause)
C
(pause)
A-A-A
and so on.

I always find myself anticipation the next note after the pause, consequently I'm either a bit early or a bit late. Practice would probably take care of it but with so much stuff to play out there I don't play it that often. But I will say that 2112 is a lot of fun to play yet not too challenging for the intermediate player. Even beginners should try to tackle it, because there's lots of good stuff to learn from Rush's music.

If you want a challenge try Open Secrets!

Open Secrets - YouTube

 

Its a great song to try to learn by ear. I spent most of my early bass playing years figuring out Rush songs and I am so glad I did because it really helped my playing and ears. Its a fun song/suite to play and not all that hard. My cover band decided to throw this into our setlist (the Overture) for an upcoming festival (according to the people in charge of this festival, most people wont focus solely on the band playing like they would in a bar/club so we can play songs we couldnt normally do at most gigs)

 

If you haven't seen "Beyond the Lighted Stage" (Rush documentary), check it out. The story about how 2112 came about is great:
The previous album, Caress of Steel, didn't fare too well and the label was pressuring Rush to make some "hits". How did the boys respond? They said "screw it, we're going to do it our way or no way" and created 2112. Of course the record company freaked out when they heard it, but the Rush fans went nuts for it, and the rest is history.

I actually got into that album later, having gotten into the albums from Hemispheres on before that. It was after seeing Rush live for the first time on the Power Windows Tour, when they played "2112: Overture/The Temples of Syrinx". It blew me away, and I later got the album. It is still amazing listening to it now.

 

I was first turned onto the album in 87 when I was 17. I loved it but really had forgotten how much I dug the entire album. It was not until this year when my 17 year old bass playing son turned me onto it again. I have purchased all of Rush's albums from 74 to 83 on iTunes and after listening to it again I realized how much I loved it. The title track and Passage to Bangkok are probably the most popular but I think Twilight Zone, Lessons, Tears and Something for Nothing are all fantastic tunes that sometimes get neglected due to the first two tunes. I would highly encourage anyone who is interested in this album to give a really good listen to the rest of the deeper cuts.

If you like 2112, I would also suggest A Farewell To Kings and Hemispheres as well.

 

Classic. That's all there is to say.

 

Like many here, I, too, first heard it as a teenager, when I was first getting into bass. My 3rd bass and first "real" bass was a white 4001.

Anyway, my introduction to RUSH was actually a challenge from a drummer friend to learn the bass part to "Lessons." I was fairly good, probably a little cocky and he wanted to put me in my place. I was hooked.

One of the best things about learning RUSH is you don't need an extended range bass. Just a plain old 20 fret 4 string jazz, or Rickenbacker, or Wal...

 

oh Rush...is there nothing you can't do?

Great album. Great band. But I am biased...they are my most favorite band of all time.

2112 was one of the first albums I learned to drum to , along with Kansas LEftoverture and Styx's Grand Illusion. Didn't learn the bass lines until later, but it was interesting how much I had relied on the bass parts to learn the drum parts, and vice versa.

 

Yeah... Classic Album for sure.
I learned every song off it back in '76-'77

My high school friend bought it when it first came out.
He said "check this tune out, man" and put the needle down on "A Passage To Bangkok".

You can guess what we were up to..