• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

When playing Rush - YYZ

I started playing Rush- YYZ yesterday. For the main riffs, where do you like to put your thumb. I usually (for other songs) rest it on the neck pickup, but then the stretch to the G string gets kinda anoying, so lately ive been resting it on the E string, inbetween the 2 pickups.
 
My thumb is on my pick. ;)

I've been trying to play YYZ (on & off) for years & I can never get it right. I leave SOOOO much out cause I know I can't play it 1/4 as good as The Master.

I usually (for other songs) rest it on the neck pickup, but then the stretch to the G string gets kinda anoying
On the occasions I do play with my fingers, I usually place my thumb on ont of the pickups (when playng on the E String. If I play the A, D or G, I rest my thumb on the string above it.

Example:
If I'm playing on the G string, my thumb is anchored on the A or D string depending on what I'm playing.
 
i usually alternate between by neck pickup and my E string for the notes on the g string, that works for the whole song. If you have the video of yyz you can see that geddy will alternate from resting his fingers on the a,e and pickup. Its all a matter of what you feel comfortable with.
 
In the words of the Almighty Frank Zappa,
shut up and play you guitar.;¬)
I jest from this side of the Atlantic,but I was
distressed at the grounding of Concorde today.
I think that this example of British/French brilliance eluded the yanks,such that they had to
ban something 'bigger and better' than anything they ever could design..again,a big joke from a big Scottish joker.Slap bass?,website on the way sweethearts...That said,stay cool..Scotland's slap
bassist.