Guitar & Bass Tabs
Rush
Learn Rush's Guitar & Bass Style
Discover how Rush developed their signature guitar and bass sound, the techniques you'll encounter in their music, and the best lessons to begin your learning journey.
Rush formed in 1968 in Toronto, Canada, rising from club gigs to become one of rock's most influential progressive outfits. The trio—Geddy Lee on bass and vocals, Alex Lifeson on guitar, and drummer Neil Peart, who joined in 1974 after John Rutsey's departure—pushed boundaries with intricate arrangements, virtuosic playing, and concept-driven storytelling. Their breakthrough came with the 1976 epic 2112 and the 1981 classic Moving Pictures, releases that helped redefine rock and bring high-level musicianship into the mainstream. With a career spanning decades and a Rock Hall of Fame induction in 2013, Rush left an enduring template for technical prowess, melodic craft, and ambitious storytelling in rock. Rush remained active in the public eye through touring and recording through the early 2010s, leaving a lasting mark on guitar and bass players worldwide.\n\nOver the years, Rush cemented a global legacy by blending hard rock energy with progressive textures, performing complex time signatures, daring arrangements, and enduring riffs. Their music inspired countless players to pursue precision and creativity in equal measure, influencing genres from hard rock to metal and beyond. Though their active touring wound down after 2015, their catalog continues to educate and inspire new generations of players through iconic records and expansive live performances.
🎸 Want to know what gear Rush used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
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Finding My Way
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YYZ
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Fly By Night
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Red Barchetta
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In The Mood
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Working Man
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Need Some Love
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Take A Friend
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What You're Doing
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Before And After
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Best I Can
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Anthem
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In The End
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Bastille Day
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I Think I'm Going Bald
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Lakeside Park
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The Temples Of Syrinx
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The Twilight Zone
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A Passage To Bangkok
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Something For Nothing
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A Farewell To Kings
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Xanadu
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Cinderella Man
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Closer To The Heart
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Apollo
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Circumstances
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The Trees
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La Villa Strangiato
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Freewill
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The Spirit Of Radio
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Entre Nous
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Jacob's Ladder
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Tom Sawyer
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Limelight
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Witch Hunt
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The Camera Eye
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The Analog Kid
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Vital Signs
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Subdivisions
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Chemistry
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Digital Man
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The Weapon
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New World Man
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Distant Early Warning
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Red Sector A
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The Enemy Within
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The Body Electric
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Roll The Bones
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Time Stand Still
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Natural Science
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2112 Overture
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Playing Style
Rush's playing thrives on tight interlocks between guitar, bass, and drums, with Lifeson's bright, melodic guitar lines weaving against Lee's high-velocity bass runs and Peart's precise, polymetric drumming. Their approach blends powerful, palm-muted riffs, airy arpeggios, and dynamic shifts that swing from intimate to explosive. A hallmark of their sound is the use of unusual time signatures and intricate arrangements that remain accessible through memorable hooks and strong melodic sense, making complex progressions feel natural to play and fun to listen to.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
Iconic gear for Rush centers on clean, wide-toned guitars and lush modulation. Lifeson has been known to pair Gibson Les Paul Standards andPRS models with bright, chorus-tinged tones—often driven through vintage amps for a shimmering, expansive sound. Geddy Lee’s bass rig features iconic instruments like Rickenbacker basses and Fender Jazz Basses, frequently layered with keyboard textures to fill the sonic space. On stage, the band used a collection of vintage amps (including Hiwatt and Mesa/Boogie) and an array of effects—chorus, flanger, phase shifters, and delays—to create the signature “Rush wash” that defines their studio and live sound.
Why Learn Rush Songs?
Learning Rush songs on guitar builds advanced rhythm skills, precise timing, and the ability to lock in with a driving rhythm section. Tracks like Subdivisions and Tom Sawyer offer challenging yet rewarding exercises in groove, arpeggios, and melodic phrasing, while 2112 and other epic tracks nurture stamina and musical storytelling. The difficulty level varies across songs, but with structured tabs and lessons, players will develop essential rock skills: alternate picking, dynamic control, note economy within dense arrangements, and the art of crafting memorable hooks within sophisticated textures.
Did You Know?
- 1Rush formed in Toronto in 1968 and became one of Canada's most influential rock exports.
- 2Neil Peart joined Rush as drummer in 1974 and became the band's primary lyricist, shaping its conceptual direction.
- 3Rush was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013 and completed the R40 Tour in 2015.
- 4Their music is celebrated for blending technical prowess with melodic storytelling, influencing countless players across rock and metal.
51 Rush lesson(s) available — Start learning today!
Learn to Play Rush Guitar
Explore Rush guitar and bass lessons with a focus on riffs, rhythm parts, classic rock techniques, and practice-friendly video lessons.
Start Here
Begin with the most recognizable riffs and rhythm parts before moving into harder songs.
Techniques
Practice power chords, timing, picking control, bends, vibrato, and classic rock phrasing.
Next Step
Use the lessons below to build a practice path from easier songs to more advanced parts.
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