This is why RUSH will never be copied or outdated. They are truly one of a kind set of musicians. RIP Neil and God bless Geddy & Alex.

Rush is untouchable!! I have been a fan since I was 16 & I am 65 now!! Great reaction and your bass playing is awesome. You’re right Ged is a beast. As far as I’m concerned it doesn’t get any better than Ged, Al & Neil. Keep Rushing!! 🤘🎶💜

Glad you chose a live performance. These three guys played like this night after night for 40+ years and killed it every single show, never phoned it in or slacked off. Just an awesome band. RIP Professor Peart.

For anybody new to Rush, please watch the 'Rush In Rio' version of YYZ - it's fantastic, and the crowd knows ALL the lyrics! 😁

When I was in my 20s I was a pretty good bassist and could play a lot of Rush songs, but damn, I never could play YYZ at the right speed. My fingers just couldn't move fast enough. Mad respect to any bassist who nails YYZ.

This is possibly the best breakdown i've seen on YT regarding this tricky song. You cut to the chase and play it well then go on to tab it ...superb.

As a Canadian, I thank you for acknowledging the correct pronunciation of the song's title at the beginning: "Why-Why-ZED!!!"

before Neil died, he sais in an interview that he was about to start learning to improvise cause as he said he s a compositional drummer. he always wrote exactly what he was gonna play in every song. imagine if he had the time to combine the two,....... R:I:P:

How can one group have the best drummer (no one better), the best bassist (or at least top three) and a top 10 guitarist. Just so much sound out of three people! Thank you for the breakdown. 😀

The WAL Mk 1 bass .. such a great tone and a great era for rush i think he toured with this bass on power windows hold your fire presto and roll the bones before going back to the fender

An excellent breakdown of Geddy’s nifty play on that gargantuan instrumental, especially live. What a truly impressive display of his talent. In fact, Geddy is one of the most multi talented musicians in rock. And imo, they’re the greatest trio EVER. I saw them live in ‘ 83 during the Signals tour, but they also performed every song from the Moving Pictures album. Will never forget that. Then again, Rush IS unforgettable !!

I was in a restaurant in Toronto this January and Geddy was there. Without being creepy it was cool to watch him interact with his table. Seems like a great guy.

I knew it was gonna be YYZ. But Geddy's piece on La Villa Strangiato (Hemispheres) is even more challenging.

I had to play intensively many hours a day for a couple of years before i was able to play like Geddy Lee. His style is just so powerful. But after my fingers got use to ripping of bass strings and crushing stones, it was so rewarding to play Rush style of bass lines.

i’ve been lucky to experience Rush live from early days to the last tours. More even than their incredible musicianship, composition & performance, it was the great sense i got of the joy & fun they had playing together that i remember most.

Saw Rush first time on the Permanent Waves tour in London my home town. Then at Wembley Arena for the Moving Pictures. They played the entirety of 2112 & my favourite instrumental La Villa Strangiato which Alex Lifeson is quoted as saying used to be their most difficult track to play live due to it’s changing timings. Awesome band, for 3 guys, defo the best rock bassist & rock drummer of the modernity. Lifeson is superb also.

Rush supplied the best value in musical entertainment in my lifetime. Imagine they fed our ears, our minds, and even moved our hearts. I cannot even express the gratitude i have for them being who they are. I may have stayed an extra year with my first girlfriend. We were not meant to be BUT we loved to hang out and listen to Rush and smoke a doob! Great times.

What makes Rush even greater in my eyes is the amount of pain they went through in their personal lives, and still they managed to create something so beautiful!

Rush were such an astoundingly great band. Absolute professionals, too. I'm hard-pressed to think of another band that worked so hard to provide their fans with the best possible product. I recall an interview with Geddy where the interviewer asked him how he prepared his parts to play live, and his response was something like, "What the hell was I thinking when I wrote this??? Better get out to the woodshed and get practicing."

Lifelong drummer and teacher here... YYZ is one of the easiest Rush songs to play on drums. As for the bass parts, I would imagine it is challenging, but I wouldn't know. La Villa Strangiato is the a kiiler drum track and the bass lines in that one are CRAZY.

I think Alex and Geddy play the guitar and bass like they're one instrument.

been a fan since '74. seen them 6 times, always loved the music, and still rock to them. Rush 4 ever.

Big Rush fan here in the upper Midwest. Geddy Lee could have easily been the most popular musician in Minnesota for quite a few years. Huge Rush fan base there. Every time I see Geddy I still recall those days in the eighties.

The bass he is playing was his Wall bass, which he started playing around the Power Windows era through Presto and Roll the Bones, after shelving the Steinberger, but he eventually went home to the Fender Jazz bass that he bought at a pawn shop some time before Moving pictures when he first started playing it. I don't even think he knows which tracks on Moving Pictures are the Rick 4001 or the Jazz. Also, the guitar Alex is playing is a Hentor. Like Ged, Alex first recorded with a Fender (that he borrowed from a friend) on Moving pictures, beginning to move away from his Gibson ES-355. He played starts, then the Hentors, and then a brief time with PRS after they re-formed on Vapor Trails, but went back to Gibson, with customized Les Paul models, many with a piezo saddles in a floating Floyd, later to become the Lifeson model, with Life-o-sound (2 outputs, one being the piezos). Personally, I never cared for the Wall or Hentors instruments, but what was even worse was Lifeson's endorsement of GK (Gallon Kruger) amps (yuck) which were used after the Marshall amps, but before he discovered Hughes & Kettner, which he played live until the end, only adding his signature Lerxt botique amp, not unlike the HiWatt amps he started with back in the 70s up through 2112. Dong get me started on all of the effects they used over time, key boards, wireless systems or Palmer speaker simulators, when Alex finally went D.I. But I will say that for the final 20 years of rush, he used Yamaha processors and Fractal AxFX, where Geddy ended with SansAmp and an Orange going through a Palmer. But don't discount the BadAss bridges on most of his bases as a contributor to his amazing tone. (Ok... That was long! Sorry)

The vast majority of musicians go to bed each night wishing they could be as good Rush, and wake up to the sad reality that they will never be .0001% as good as Rush. Great breakdown!

The amazing thing about Rush is that the three of them went out on stage live and did this shit in front of thousands of fans and NEVER screwed it up. If it was different than the record, it was because they decided to do it that way just for us.

Lol to Dobby chillin' in the dark diggin' some Rush! Killer song, I will never get tired of hearing anything Rush. Geddy is the man!

I make this confession: I have been a passionate Rush fan since 2112 was released in 1976, and I have since played electric bass in a dozen or more rock bands of many styles, and although I am no professional musician, I rock it nonetheless. I will learn to play almost anything, but I don't play Rush songs, because I won't do them justice. I will remember Rush music as those three massively talented masters played it. ❤ Neil, Alex, Geddy ❤

First time hearing Rush. This literally blew my mind!!!

Great job here! I was lucky enough to get Alex’s Garrison acoustic from him back in 2009. RUSH forever!

i also love how getty gets the nose involved to move the mic stand. The nose is awesome

Ah RUSH, the backdrop to my whole life. Thanks guys..

I always liked Rush but having this reviewed by a musician really drives home how very special these three guys were.

The intro is the Morse code sequence for the letters YYZ...that's the Toronto Pearson Airport code that the band would hear broadcast in their headphones if they were in the plane's cockpit while approaching Toronto every time they were coming home from a trip. It's a song about the thrill of homecoming.

"Btw, are you a bassist?". Regularly, after watching Geddy, I don't feel much of one, to be frank, lol. Grrrreat breakdown! Annnd, I'm suscribed...

This gig at Birmingham - I was there. The first time I ever saw them. Phenomenal.

Subdivisions come out in this era. Man, that song kicks ass. Neil never repeats any fills. I love that song.

greatest group of friends ever.

Well, I thought I was a bassist until these whacky Canadians arrived on the scene! Amazing. Untouchable.

Love Rush, this song and your enthusiasm! Saw them live on the Signals, Grace Under Pressure, and Presto tours, amazing each time! I've been a fan of the band and YYZ since 1981, RIP Neil

Dude, as sick as YYZ is, the thing about Geddy Lee is that he is playing crazy bass lines but then he is also singing across them. For example, Digital Man off Signals: listen to the chorus. It blows my mind how he is able to play that bass line and hold a lyric line that syncopates but holds the vocal notes at the same time. Nobody else can do this. He is just so good.

Geddy Lee plays bass lines that confound many lead guitar players. The first album I purchased was "Moving Pictures" and it remains a favorite today.

I love that Wal bass sound!

Awesome breakdown and playing man. And the tempo on this performance is merciless...

I can't even watch anything about Rush without getting tears in my eyes. I really miss them.

So often, the bass guitar is basically more of a background instrument. I like that Geddy had a tendency to bring the bass out into the forefront quite often, because his bass playing is badass.

Just to tidy up your intro, Alex is a licensed pilot and was inspired when listening to the Morse code identifier for the Toronto nav radio. Morse code for YYZ is (dash dot dash dash, dash do dash dash, dash dash dot dot. Thus the 10/8 time required to imitate it.

You earned my like!! Since I got nailed by the Delta virus in 2021 I think I played my Bass twice. Kinda got a spark but it's bed time. Great Job Andrew! May have to check out your channel! Peace 🕊️☮️♾️😎

2:14 Can agree on the air drum effect at a Rush concert. I saw them play in Rotterdam in 2009 (I think it was) and there were dudes there who took their drum sticks just to air drum more convincingly.

Amazing demonstrations of the bass solos. This is a worthy performance to feature and thank you for the research and work you put into this.

I have seen them 9 times live in their hometown! First show I saw was on March 24 1981 at Maple Leaf Gardens. The price on the ticket was $10.50 Canadian dollars. Just looked at the ticket. No words to describe how great these guys are. Been a fan since they started. To think, they played at the high school I went to. (a few years before I got there) One of the best, if not, the best power trio's EVER!

If it separates the good from the great only by playing, try to imagine creating it. They're superhumans.

Being a big Rush fan I have to agree with your assessment on how freaking good they all are as musicians. Your breakdown is awesome and very educational.

It’s a Wal bass to answer your question at the beginning.

The Mighty Rush - the gift that keeps on giving.

Great video, and great analogy. Geddy's prowess is unmatched by anyone else I've heard. Rush's prowess is hard to beat for absolute musicianship by anyone. Yes comes close, but different style completely. I saw Rush only 6 times starting in Oct 77, and they were just amazing every time. There are bands who sound good on the record and suck live, many of them. Rush is one of those bands who manage to sound better live, than what comes out of those speakers in your living room. Their mastery of the craft is evident whatever song they decide to put up for consumption. It is sad that their days came to a close with the passing of Neil, but Rush will hold a place in my musical mind always. Thank you for the video.

I saw Rush live around this time -- maybe even this tour, or maybe in 1986 -- where Geddy, during the section where he trades off with Neil, totally screwed up. He looked out at the audience, shrugged, and moved on. It was amazing.

Great review - and unlike most music reviewers on Youtbube that do the ridiculous “oooh ahhh wow” commentary but couldn’t play or sing a note of it, I greatly appreciate the fact that you understand and explain the music theory - and can also play Geddy Lee’s amazing bass lines! Well done, sir. I’m a guitar player, but have shared this with my son, who’s a pretty decent bass player and I know will appreciate your analysis and playing skills. Just one final comment… while your review is mainly focused on Geddy with kudos to Alex, I can’t let this comment go without recognizing the incredible percussion of the late, great Neil Peart - aka “the Professor”. These three Canadian boys made incredible music that will continue to be appreciated internationally for decades to come. 🇨🇦

Glad you clarified that it's Y.Y.Zead as RUSH is a Canadian band. It's Y.Y.Zee as translated by our U.S. compatriots.

Well done! Great breakdown of this song and baseline! Incredible song!

Your enthusiasm is infectious! Thanks!

Great video! As far as the implied chording, I’m going to beg to differ. I’d call the first chord an A6 and the second a C6, although the notes are the same respectively as F#m7 and Am7. It just sounds to me as though they are starting on the root for each run. This song beautifully typifies a brisk walk through the Toronto airport, with its ecelectic set of sounds and moods. I met Geddy at a CD signing back in late 2000- he was very gracious- a true gentleman.

This was a great video man. I liked and subscribed.

Thank you. Loved the breakdown and your playing along to show the lines. Very cool.

I don't see anyone answering your question, but Geddy is playing a Wal bass (and Alex is playing a Signature guitar, and Neil is playing Ludwig drums). This was a time when they all were playing "off brand" equipment for a while.

This video randomly popped up in my feed and I'm glad it did. Excellent breakdown, and excellent playing.

Fantastic video! Great analysis and transcriptions with examples to see/hear. I am currently reading Geddy's book "My Effin' Life" while listening to him read it to me on Audible. It is fascinating, and I have a whole new level of appreciation for Geddy upon learning about his background and early career stories. You're right about YYZ, it IS hard to play! Your video here is superb, nice work!

Love Rush - as a drummer, I have always mostly focused on the drums. Go figure. However, after listening to them for the last 35 years, I love falling in love with Rush all over again, via Bass & guitar. Alex and Geddy are brilliant.

Fantastic breakdown! I've been following you on IG and just found your YT channel. I'm going to dive into more video now. Thanks for creating such cool content for us bass players.

This is the most informative, fascinating, and coherent breakdown or reaction video I've ever seen. You know your subject backward and forward, and you have a high level of speaking energy that projects enthusiasm gives excellent clarity and immediacy to your exposition. Now I goota go see more of your channel!

Crazy how this instrumental becomes a sing-along at every live show. I've seen it first hand many times. Love it!

The story behind the genesis of this piece of music goes like this: Alex is a pilot. Alex was piloting a small aircraft near Toronto International (Pearson) and both Geddy and Neil were aboard. The radio was squawking and Neil heard the YYZ airport morse code identifier within the aircraft and asked Alex about it. They thought it was a neat sequence which they could play with musically. The rest is history.

Great analysis. Never got to see them live in Australia, we missed out, but have enjoyed all their records. Thank goodness for videos and youtube.

At 6:26 even Neil looks up at Alex and is like “Damn!” The untold story here is the Neil and Geddy laid down this rhythm section and Alex came in not only “keeping up with it” but just slaying the rhythm, bass lines and beautiful dynamic solos that are as inspiring as the rhythm section. Rush is a trinity. I use”is” on purpose. They still live on…

Two things, you mentioned Dirk's hair, he called that his Racoon Hair phase. The second and more important, glad that you picked this particular video. I've always loved the Wal Bass years. I've been playing bass for over 38 years now and have YET to lay my hands on one, much less see one in person, aside from the concerts of course. I love the tone to them, and was somewhat successful in getting my Ric to come close, never did with my Fender Jazz. But the Wal's have such a distinctive sound, much like the Ric's, which I suppose why Geddy went for it back then. Well done on the breakdown! Thanks.

The Morse code for YYZ was actually first heard during a Training flight with Alex a student pilot and his flight instructor with Geddy and Neil in the back seats... when Alex and his instructor tuned in the Identifier Neil heard the code and told Ged that would make a great rhythm. THis is how it was told by Geddy in an interview.

GREAT VIDEO ! Thanks for making it !

I'm in. Great coverage of a great song. Subbed.

Well done, much appreciated.

Great video. Thank you.

Awesome breakdown, my man. Been a fan of Rush since I first saw them back in 1982 (my first-ever concert). You really nailed it, even the tone.

Wow. Thanks for the analysis. I loved your bass playing. Impressive to see the isolated bass lines.

Great work, love it!

Of the many RUSH songs I won't attempt to play on the bass, this is THE one I don't even bother with, simply because I don't believe I can play fast enough to keep up. I've been listening to RUSH for 50 years, having first heard Fly By Night in the spring of 74'. My eleven year old brain was lit on fire hearing that music. Especially after hearing Anthem and then Bytor and the Snowdog. It was a far cry from anything else I heard - and I grew up with a jazz and classical guitarist for a dad and 3 other brothers who listened to heavy metal bands and of course, there was, Hendrix, Zeppelin, Grand Funk Railroad, and every kind of Prog Rock band exploding onto the scene. RUSH stood apart from it all and in my opinion, still does

I've been trying to get those solos for ages - this was the best instructional vid I've yet come across (and I've been looking!). Thank you!

Been a fan since 1975 as an 11 year old from Canada. Started playing bass In '83 and in that same year I met Neil Peart's cousin at a house party in Blue River, BC of all places and he played some riffs on a 12 string guitar that blew me away. My one regret is never seeing them in concert

Love RUSH my favourite band of all time, excellent video for bass player who want to learn this ionic song 👍✌️

Great video! I share that admiration for Rush and many other proggers! BTW there is a song with wonderful bass lines (almost taking the lead) called Northern Lights by Renaissance. A very playful bass sound in I Hear Your Voice by Jadis, at some parts doubled by the electric guitar. And some wonderful bass work can also be heard in the bridge section on Dark Ages by my all-time favourite band Jethro Tull.

Really good video about the three man jam band Rush. Such talented musicians. Rocking song. Good energy Andrew!

Outstanding video… subscribed.

Alex is the guitarist that gave me so much inspiration way way back when Rush had not long stared. Thankyou for this breakdown on Geddys work on YYZ. Cheers.

Excellent video and review! Thanks for sharing. 👍 😊

Thank you for pronouncing Peart's name correctly. Even Hawkins pronounced it wrong during the induction WAY after Peart told us all how to pronounce it in "Jason Segel & Paul Rudd Meet Rush"

This is Rush at their purist. Just 3 of the greatest musicians you've ever heard playing their rear ends off in perfect unison, unencumbered by lyrics and melody.

What fun!! great stuff. thanks!

This is so great. As a bassist, YYZ is such a blast!

Great breakdown of a classic RUSH tune got my sub love your vibe

Nailed it dude awesome

I have been practicing this song for the past 2 weeks since I met a guitarist to actually play this with, good to have this and for the intro, learning the morse code for Y and Z actually helped a lot, would recommend

Andrew, I am not a bass or guitar player but I do enjoy Rush and have gone to several of their concerts over the years. This was a great breakdown review video. Very well done.