Guitarist Alex Lifeson
Guitar Tab
Guitarist Alex Lifeson Alex Lifeson is best known as the broadly-skilled guitarist for the rock group Rush, which also features drummer Neil Peart and bassist Geddy Lee. Rush is the most successful Canadian music group in history, and is the third most prolific seller of consecutive (American) Gold and Platinum Records and videos, behind only the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
Alex Lifeson was 13 when he got his first guitar as a Christmas present. He was turned on by rock n’ roll music and he and fellow local John Rutsey began playing together. In the late 60’s, singer and bassist Geddy Lee joined them and the trio performed cover songs from Eric Clapton's Cream, Jimmy Page's Led Zeppelin, and Pete Townsend's The Who, to name a few. Eventually, they started writing their own material and were signed to a record deal with Polygram Records. Rutsey left the group soon after their release of their debut album Fly By Night and was replaced with Neil Peart on drums. After a few years, their 1976 Concept Album, 2112 was their breakthrough record, gaining them popularity and recognition.
Lifeson's ability to pull double-duty as both a melodic rhythm-guitar player and a searing soloist has earned him a reputation similar to that of his bandmates. All three share the distinction of being among the most highly influential virtuosos in their crafts.
Strengths
Versatility: Alex is a very versatile player who employs many different tones, textures, and styles to get his point across while still maintaining his identity. No matter what gear he's playing through or what strange direction Rush may be heading with their music, when Alex comes in with his guitar it screams RUSH! every bit as characteristic as Geddy Lee's voice or Neil Peart's hyperkinetic drumming.
Sound:Alex's style revolves around occupying a lot of space, and nobody does it better. Through the careful use of time-based effects as well as unusual, ambiguous chord voicings, Alex creates a wash of sound that is almost three dimensional.
Chord voicings: I honestly believe that many of the chords Alex plays didn't exist (at least in rock) before he created them. Take a listen to the Hemispheres album for a virtual clinic on Lifeson chords. You can analyze them from a theory standpoint but that won't do them justice; the approach to fingering them is so outside-the-box that a schooled player would NEVER think to do it that way.
During the 80’s, Rush was experimenting with different kinds of sound which put Lifeson’s guitar talents on the backburner. But during the 90’s, the group decided to return to what they knew best and the talented sounds of Lifeson’s guitar were heard again.
Alex has a passion for studio production, and is the only member of Rush to compose and produce a television theme ("Andromeda" (2000)). But his live performances are where his spontaneous side really shows. During live performances, Alex deftly switches from rhythm guitar to soloing, while simultaneously triggering his own pre-recorded accompaniments. Being the soul of spontaneity in the band, Alex is the member of Rush who most frequently contributes comedy to the show. This side of Alex can be seen during the performances of "La Villa Strangiato" on two of Rush's concert videos, Rush in Rio (2003) (V) and A Show of Hands (1989) (V), and to an even greater degree on the documentary "The Boys In Brazil" (2003), part of the bonus material included with Rush in Rio (2003) (V). Alex's prowess can be heard on a few non-Rush recordings, primarily his solo album, entitled simply "Victor" (1996), and the soundtrack album for South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut (1999).
On February 26, 1997, he and his bandmates Geddy Lee and Neil Peart became the first rock musicians to be inducted into the prestigious position of Officers of the Order of Canada. This is the highest honor bestowed upon a civilian by the Canadian government. According to the Ottawa Sun, "The award was given as much for their community service as for their contribution to the arts. They have raised over $1 million for food banks and the United Way."
After their longest break from recording and touring, a highly successful 2002 tour brought Rush back to the United States, Canada, and Mexico, to the great anticipation of fans. Rush ended their 2002 tour with their first-ever shows in Brazil, where they played to 125,000 fans in three nights. The final performance of the 2002 tour was captured on DVD as Rush in Rio (2003) (V), which was certified double-platinum within weeks of its release. Alex has fostered several younger groups, such as The Dexters, who he often guests with during their live perfomances at The Orbit Room, a Toronto club that Alex owns in part.
Recommended Listening - Rush 2112 Farewell to Kings Hemispheres Permanent Waves Moving Pictures Different Stages
Moving Guitar Scale Patterns Around The Fretboard
There is a big difference between a scale pattern and the actual scale. The actual scale is only 5 notes. When we are learning scale patterns we are learning the location of the notes from the scale as they appear on the fretboard. The same 5 notes repeat themselves over and over on the guitar's fretboard. What we need to be able to do in order to play from the scale is memorize these fretboard patterns. Moving Guitar Scale Patterns Around The Fretboard
Rush- yyz( live )
Hughes & Kettner Alex Lifeson Signature Edition TriAmp MKII Amp
'The best amp I've ever owned.' - Alex Lifeson
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Features: 9.86 Quality: 10.00 Value: 10.00 Overall: 8.71
Updated: 2/19/07 |
