Soloing Secrets - Alex Lifeson

Hey everyone! Here's the next episode of Soloing Secrets with Alex Lifeson and a look at his pioneering/groundbreaking progressive rock guitar lead guitar style. Alex has always been a big influence of mine - so let's dive in!
The ideas/music shared in this episode were pulled from four classic Rush albums and uncover some of Alex's signature licks and phrases through the years. This includes his use of the "Pentatonic Highway" to navigate the neck, single-string scale runs, various melodic phrases, frantic open-string ideas, smeared tremolo bar manipulations, and much more!
As far as the specific songs targeted in this episode, we're hitting sections from classics such as 'A Passage To Bangkok,' 'Closer To The Heart,' 'Limelight,' 'Cold Fire,' 'YYZ,' and 'Leave That Thing Alone' - to name a few!
Needless to say, if you're an Alex Lifeson/Rush fan, a fan of classic progressive rock music, or maybe a player searching for some new lead guitar ideas to play around with and add to your playing - this lesson is totally for you! Give this episode a view, leave some comments/feedback, and please subscribe to Late Night Lessons - THANK YOU!
Become a Patreon supporter of Late Night Lessons for only $5 (or more) each month and gain access to PDF notation/tab files of these lessons. Thank you!
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[@bryanbailey6963]

I have been a Rush and Lifeson fan since I first heard 2112 in 1976. Still am to this day! Definitely my favorite group and favorite guitarist. And their songs are still so relevant today. It's hard to believe that Tom Sawyer is 42 years old.

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

Same here. When I was just starting out on guitar as a kid, I was at a friends house just a year after you in 77' and he let me play his guitar. I'd been learning to play mostly by listening to Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and a little Jimi Hendrix, etc. He heard me playing Zeppelin and said I could figure out Rush songs then too. I thought there was no way, but he kept insisting I could, and then put on 2112. Until then I'd only heard it on the college radio station a few times, but he was right. I almost had all of the rhythm parts figured out by the end of the song because he would move the needle back for me when I needed to hear a part again. It's also Broons Bane that a year later sparked my huge interest in classical music (and someone else showed me how to play Bach's Bouree in E minor), and I ended up eventually transcribing a few dozen violin concertos and solos, mostly Bach, and Paganini's caprices (not that I could ever play all of them, lols). But I also learned more classical guitar too. So yea, that was a very important day for me as a musician, and Rush was a huge influence after that. Sadly I haven't seen him in decades now. He moved away long ago when we were still teens. But thanks for believing in me Brian!🥰

[@c3vette47]

Yep. Me too. I remember where I was when I first heard 2112. I was hooked.

[@jerrycarney1209]

Ya the next time there is a storm, that's not thunder It's just Neil doing a sound check. Great video Dave

[@stevenramer7961]

I seen them on the Counterparts tour back in '94 headlining with Primus at the old Market Square Arena in Indianapolis. Neil Peart played a killer drum/percussion solo in the middle of Xanadu. Very memorable and awesome show, thanks Dave!

[@johng2880]

Alex is a true guitar god hero of rock. The fact that Geddy and Neil were so freaking amazing may have led him to be somewhat over-shadowed (not to mention all the hate that Rush got from the rock press), but his body of work over the decades is one he and his fans can be proud of. He belongs in the Pantheon.

[@patrickmcquillan3039]

Those three pushed each other, to the pantheon of excellence, three of the best in their perspective fields

[@davidwilliams1281]

I very much enjoyed this lesson and your playing. Nice!

[@glennwhitlock1272]

It was 'Grace Under Pressure' that got me hooked on AL's sound (more than playing style) so much so that I learned to play the whole album. Any chance of a Tommy Shaw episode? Thanks, Mr B

[@rockstarjazzcat]

🤙🏼

[@joelsmith4816]

Hey David. Always wondered what amp you use and speaker cab. What is that beside you?

Can you do something on Lowell George

[@markrobinson8410]

Opening solo reminds me of phil keaggy and alan holdsworth

[@mickey6357]

Just for the open jam

[@bobravenscraft5376]

Alex always has this unpretentious way so casual yet between those ears is a serious Rock guitarist. Capable of shredding if he ever wanted too. Not his style he is way too melodic to move very fast that's a good thing

[@scottycunningham1413]

Alex evolved a lot over the course of his career. To me the classic Lifeson was late 70s/early 80s. He took the British blues thing, dressed it up with some pretty guitar textures and threw in some Holdsworth influenced ideas. But he made it more accessible than the Jazz fusion guys. Very inspirational for players like me that were mostly pentatonic pickers that tried to branch out into more exotic territory.

[@driftless7134]

I could talk/rant for hours about Alex Lifeson's genius writing and playing. I will never get tired of listening to his songs and solos.

[@pitpride1220]

Thank you much for demystifying Alex's work. Some of his stuff is so emotive and ethereal it's hard to pin down.

[@loveguitars]

How about some WORKING MAN or The Necromancer?🎸

[@breathtimebreath4934]

Rush - Brilliant Trio!!!! Though My favorite trio is Kings X ❤❤❤ Thank you so much David!!!🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@greg77hot]

I love the old Rush .. up to Kings...wasn't crazy about all the keyboard stuff.

[@anthonydicarlo9554]

Dave, thank you for another great video in the series. In fact all that you do and how you teach and review all your lessons have increased my playing every week.

[@EarthAltar]

Aw man, the Anthem, La Villa, Freewill, Spirit of the Radio solos where he gets that triplet picking on each note is insane. One of his true trademarks that isn't easy to duplicate. Alex is one of my all time heroes. Great lesson, Dave!

[@Weshopwizard]

Free will and Camera Eye are my two favorites. Opposite ends of the spectrum but soooooooooo cool.

[@EarthAltar]

@@Weshopwizard 🤘🤘

[@Weshopwizard]

@@EarthAltar that double neck acoustic is sweet!!!!!!! 🎸

[@EarthAltar]

@@Weshopwizard It was. I just lost it at the pawn shop.

[@Weshopwizard]

@@EarthAltar ohhhhhhhhhhhh. Salty.

[@davidsmith6976]

One of my favourites ,is "Limelight",the way just changes its feel,and such a soulful and expressive solo,with soaring movement ,not flash,for the sake of it.Alex ,is a breath of fresh air ,so humble,and funny ,yet a superb musician ,as is Geddy[and of course Neil] They never lost sight of their focus ,and yet ,are the sweetest people ,a trick ,not many have managed ,thanks for doing this David ,always a pleasure,

[@joeyd3324]

My First Album was All the Worlds a Stage...Christmas '76... I got it autographed by Geddy & Alex at Peaches Records & Tapes in Columbus Ohio where my brother was a Manager...

[@waynegram8907]

LATE NIGHT, you need to do a progressive rock compositional writing class 101 video lessons. Listen to bands named FIREBALLET 1975, STARCASTLE first album sounds like YES, the band named TAURUS, the band named FANTASY, the band named ROSS. All these bands were from the 70's progressive rock which is a lost art of writing compositional type of songwriting. They use a lot of sections and movements when ending phrasing to start the next section or themes. I know you had Richards Grieco posters in your bedroom watching 21 jump street but one day Richard Grieco might come back with a new album and new 21 jump street TV show again.

[@STAMPER-DESIGN]

I'm biased because of my love of this band but this was a fantastic lesson. Thank you and I couldn't agree more with everything you said.

[@Hairbandsrok]

David, just curious what trem you have on that guitar, or if it is a standard Fender trem. Thanks

[@theloaner4378]

Great , How bout a Mahogany Rush Soloing Secrets ?

[@deanmobley5578]

Would like to know more about your guitar tone. How do you get it? It's thick and smooth.

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

40 years ago I was am Alex clone on guitar. Rush is one of only two "favorite" bands I've ever had. By the early 80's I knew pretty much every note Alex had played on every album up to power Windows. Sadly it became clear that I always sounded like Alex and was even writing pretty much the same new stuff before ever hearing it. This I didn't like. I'd become a musician to be a part of something unique. So as difficult as it was, I stopped listening to them for about a decade. But by the time I started listening again, I definitely had my own sound. There was another upside too. I had stopped listening to them when their music was still magical for me, whereas some of the other bands stuff from that era became less interesting. In the end, I'm happy n ow with how it worked out. Indeed I'm going to listen to some Rush right after this now. Maybe even learn one of their songs from after Power Windows finally. My faves will still always be 70's Rush though. Hemispheres and Permanent Waves in particular. It's still magic to me.🥰

[@petercactus6637]

I was introduced to Rush in the mid 70's during a sesh with friends. 2112 was the featured album and I have been hooked ever since. I wish I would of seen them more than twice. To me, they will always be one of my favorite 70's bands. Alex is def. one of the best!

[@petercactus6637]

2 shows = Moving Pictures and Presto.

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

@@petercactus6637 : I'll never forget hearing Rush play Moving Pictures live. It was the first time I saw Rush and I'd never heard any live band sound exactly like they did on their albums before, and rarely have since. They played the entire album, along with a nice selection of earlier stuff.

[@TheOriginalADGuy]

OMG OMG OMG OMG the episode Ive been waiting my whole life for!!!!!!!!!!

[@Weshopwizard]

Wasn’t a rush fan until 8th grade. A dude name Jeff something or other was a Rush fan and got he into them. Right around Moving Pictures. Never got a chance to thank that guy. They have been my favorite band EVER since.

[@wulfenii64]

Hemispheres is the best album ever.

[@jamesturner519]

True fact.

[@escargotomy]

That Phyrigian dominant has always been one of my favorite scales to mess around in...so exotic sounding! Always reminds me of Scorpions: Sails of Charon.

[@thesaj1110]

What pickups are you using in this guitar? sounds fantastic!

[@LateNightLessons]

Hey! It's a pre-loaded Fender pickguard loaded with a Shawbucker hum in the bridge and two Fender Noiseless single coils. It's a great set of pups! Thanks and ROCK ON!

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

@@LateNightLessons Just to say that I would be interested if you were to make a video where you focus on telling us about your own personal guitars including your black Les Paul Standard

[@MarkandSandieInMotion]

What other guitarist play so melodic like Alex?

[@voronOsphere]

Definitely! Neil Peart RIP

[@easter_sunday]

I think I have at some point purchased 2112 about 5 or 6 times. Alex Lifeson is one of my favorite guitarists. Thank you for this lesson Sensei Dave!

[@basicforge]

Alex is amazing. There is nothing ordinary about Alex, Geddy or Neil. An amazing and unique sonic phenomenon, and very meaningful song lyrics.

[@FrankSpeer66]

LERXST!!! My all time favorite String Slinger! Thanks David!!

[@MarkandSandieInMotion]

This is so cool, thanks for all the work you put into this vid:)

[@bmoraski]

Thanks Dave. Im a Rush freak. They are in my DNA. lol

[@lastdaysguitar]

GREAT video and a very worthy discussion, I spent +20 years as "Lerxst" in a RUSH cover band - he is very much a guitarist of great depth! his phrasing, dynamics, legato runs, use of whammy and his choice of chords have been so influential - maybe not the most spectacular right hand (compared to Steve Howe; Steve Morse; etc...), but certainly no slouch and that was more likely by intent to preserve the groove, as (with Neil's amazing drum sound) he didn't necessarily want to risk cluttering the beat. His playing was spot on perfection for the RUSH sound.

[@JamesJessenfedden]

Duuuuuuuude!!!! You’ve been my favorite. But now you’re my favoriteist.

[@mlasch1478]

David, I know I have commented on several other clips of yours, I am now 60 and have tried to play guitar as good as you since I was 13. 2112 was my first intro to RUSH once i heard about older boys seeing them in concert when I was in 8th grade. I need to immerse myself in your lessons for sure. Any chance you have or will touch on one of my favorite Lifeson songs, Here Again? I think Alex's solo in that song is one of the best of his career.

[@voronOsphere]

Whoah!!! I'm all over this, David!!! Thank YOU!!!! Alex is one of my all time favorites!!!! Edit: Beautiful "Limelight" bending on your part, David! Wonderful Lesson!

[@homeboyjethro]

Rushhhhh!!!! the best band of all time!! 😄😄 awesome vid! Lifeson a monsterrrr

[@John1067strat]

Excellent lesson here! Alex was an influence of mine as well. The solo from YYZ has always left me awestruck. Just amazing legato work with the open strings..... just amazing.

[@patrickmcquillan3039]

Alex had to succeed he left school to pursue music, and then could you imagine working with two of the most proficient musicians on the planet, everyone in that band had to bring it, and when Geddy brought in more keyboards Alex had to find a way to fit guitars in an already complex environment with Geddys bass dancing all over and Niels complex ascetic octopus drumming he pushed himself into the hall of fame

[@bobravenscraft5376]

I saw a 10 best guitarists ever and Ed was 3 and Alex was 1. I cried Foul. Then I said they are pretty even. That is impressive that Alex could hold his own with the likes of one Edward Van Halen. RUSH RULES

[@Emlizardo]

My favorite Lifeson solo is Freewill. Got to be one of the wackiest solos to ever make it onto mainstream radio.

[@usagi2988]

One of my favorite Lifeson solos that I don't see get mentioned that often is in "The Fountain of Lamneth: No One at the Bridge" because of how melodic it is. I love his technical work in "La Villa Strangiato" and the exotic minor of "YYZ" but I love his legato phrasing just as much... very tasty.

[@AndalusianIrish]

Love Alex's playing. Iron Maiden use that open string thing too. I definitely notice Pete Townshend's influence on his playing with the big chords.

[@flaktor117]

Thank you man! This is an awesome video! That “haunting” phrase you were talking about sounds a lot like the Dr. Who opening, which is dope!

[@UncleDickeysRandomLife]

Would be sweet if You Tube would stop unsubscribing Me from your Chomel .

[@SeriouslyLarry]

Alex Lifeson is my biggest guitar influence. One of my favorite techniques of his is to play outside of the beat or tempo. He'll play a descending scale pattern starting slower than the tempo but gradually speed up until he's playing way faster than the tempo. You hear this on solos in Xanadu and La Villa Strangiato. Also his use of droning open strings in chords. He'll take a first position E, C or D chord and move those shapes all over the neck with the open strings still ringing out. Great lesson Dave! Have you done a Steve Howe lesson yet?

[@jpmcmullan8666]

Would love a Criss Oliva episode, But THANK YOU for this Alex Lifeson one!

[@tonychavez1733]

Back in the day at winterland I was at Geddys feet, close enough to touch his pedals.... What a great band... What a great lesson Dave 👍

[@Sonny_AA]

I love Alex's melancholic whale song solos. The way he digs in with the trem bar is so unique to him but can come close to sounding like sad Jeff Beck!

[@warmoth68]

Awesome video! Insightful and a great dive into how Alex plays! 👍👍

[@williamdon3442]

The solo on working man. Ah dude. If that one doesn’t make you appreciate rush I don’t know what will. Linear scale patterns.

[@lumarians]

I wanted to learn la villa strangiato solo so I bought the musical score (no tabs back then) My playing still resonates with that style thanks to Alex. Thanks for the entertainment friend...✌

[@lexaunculpt]

SUCH a wonderful breakdown. Thank you!!!

[@dirkgibbens377]

Great lesson Dave. Live tour playing and content. Liked and subbed

[@blackmanx5845]

Wow, today's my lucky day! I just discovered your channel late last night and watched your excellent video "Chordplay - The Classical Side of Alex Lifeson". Then I wake up this morning only to find this new video on Alex's soloing, awesome. I've been a rush fan since elementary school in the 70s and also picked Alex as my mentor whilst teaching myself guitar with the "Rush Complete" music book in hand. Knowing and playing an endless amount of Rush songs has kept me going all my life, what an influence to have - I feel lucky and grateful. That said, I absolutely enjoy seeing other's interpretations of Alex's work and how they(you) play them. Thank you for the videos!

[@Mudder1310]

Lifeson’s use of the trem is what I think makes his style standout. Often the pitch changes are slow, deliberate, not just dropping the bottom out. It’s almost theremin-like. Amazing how he came up with those lines.

[@TRWilley]

He's got a very fast, exaggerated trem bar style that is at least partially influenced by Surf guitar music. VERY distinctive.

[@TheRealcdawg22]

I don't think he really used much tremolo on Rush recordings until the late 70s. He (and They) never stopped evolving. Rush is so awesome.

[@dbrown6451]

I love the doorbell analogy in Leave that thing alone. I been playing that for years exactly as you are.

[@qtheband751]

RUSH is one of my all-time favourite bands. They do Canada proud.

[@bobhill102]

Saw this band so many times, awesome and eclectic fans, thanks 👍 natural science is my favorite ♥️ generations in the audience ♥️

[@satamique]

Great lessons but what about the upper left corner of your room where those albums cover change a few time during the video...lol i really like the combination of bending + tremolo bar with delay that Alex use often!

[@justinatest9456]

Appreciate you always putting the licks into context as far as keys and underlying chords, etc.

[@mikeolson4645]

Awesome job David! You are becoming one of my top youtube follows.. \m/

[@thomasfritsch3536]

Well Said i couldn't add anything except BAVO and thanks

[@jrumiano]

Great video! Rush is my all time favorite band. Alex's playing is very unique, and and a key to the Rush's overall sound. Well Done David!

[@tallpaul1020]

Have been a huge RUSH fan since 2112!!! Incredible band. Fantastic live saw them in Cleveland on the Signals tour. Just Awesome. Alex is a remarkable player and often over shadowed in RUSH due to Neil Peart. Just an extremely talented trio. Great lesson Dave!!!! Keep up the great at work 🎸

[@noahbryanmccutcheon7625]

Lifeson is and has been one of my biggest influences other than Wes Montgomery…..greatness!! Excellent episode thank you!!!

[@Scottocaster6668]

Alex has a lot of Gilmore in his playing, and That's not a bad thing. Thanks B🐓!

[@Ace96x10]

One thing I noticed many times with him, is that he never let his fingers leave his hand when playing. That's an overlooked aspect imo, and it has helped my playing lot.

[@LiveMusicCT]

Always been an RUSH / AlexLifeson fan... YYZ was the first cool tune I learned as a teenager (i used to play that drowning A part after the solo with bar chords and strange fingers to keep the A note 5th fret prominent), wasn't until many years later I realized he was playing open voiced triades down the fretboard with the A string open... so much more comfortable... 🤘🏻😆

[@denmar355]

Really good lesson Dave!

[@gregorytoddsmith9744]

Who's come to slay the dragon... Come to watch him fall....

[@TRWilley]

It seems that he wrote a lot of solos on one string to get out of the pentatonic box - it forces you to play and compose differently.

[@eddiejr540]

A little off topic, however, in the image of Alex’s influences, he’s playing a custom made strat…volume knobs moved down and a 3-way toggle switch on the lower horn…I love that strat and I wanna make myself one someday…great stuff as always Dave👍

[@hendrickroy7481]

You are yourself a kind of legend on guitar too! A real joy to listen to your playing. 😊

[@avery3591]

Would love to see a soloing secrets video on Martin Barre. One of the most underrated guitarists of all time.

[@rogercardenas111]

Enjoy listening to Lerxst solo's. 🎸🎼🎸🎼👍🍺🍻

[@endincite4149]

Jfc there's great stuff in this one. Not a huge Rush fan but Lifeson is beyond creative & expressive. Space age wizard.

[@danalaitinen961]

One of the best and most likeable guitar teachers on YT. I really like the instructional approach of these videos. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@RiversGarcia]

Brilliant!

[@larryyoung5289]

I was 15 yrs old and went to a house party w a friend.i was new in town and knew very few people.sitting by myself this girl came to me and we sat in Front of the stereo, she put on 2112 and i was teleported to a new and fantastic world.

[@eoinjennings519]

Allan Holdsworth would also be high on the list as he developed

[@kpd987]

Lifeson and Page are why I play guitar bare none

[@patrickkish6662]

Dude, great lesson. All heart.

[@terrencemcmanus]

Great lesson. Love the albums covers changing in the frame on the wall. Nice.

[@snstyvr7597]

First time I noticed Eddie on the amp. Nice!

[@brandtstone7744]

Oh I remember those good 😊 ole days man. 👍

[@basicforge]

Love it. Thank you!

[@Solid_Garlic]

Love the video, could you do one on Eddie hazel

[@dougstubbs4351]

Thank you sir, you have just made my weekend a lot better. I'm going to work on this one and finish the Nuno Bettencourt lesson you put up. Once again thank you for great content, it's always helpful. Hey even though he's not the main music writer but a chord play on John cougar mellencamp would be interesting. I play a few of his songs in the cover band I play in, I think Mick Ronson wrote a few of his songs

[@hermanhelmich]

Cheers Dave… great insights

[@suzannecoholic1467]

One of my favorites! Thanks so much!