YYZ by Rush

Instrumental songs are a longstanding Rush tradition; but “YYZ” was only the second time they did a stand-alone instrumental (instead of a long instrumental section in an epic piece).

A key track on Moving Pictures, the “YYZ” harks back to the heavy riffage of early Rush, while pointing toward the shorter songs of their '80s output. “YYZ” is the official code for Toronto Pearson International Airport, and the song’s opening riff spells out Y-Y-Z in Morse code.

During most Rush concerts in the '80s, Neil Peart would take his extended drum solo during “YYZ.” More recently the drum solo has stood on its own.

This is the first instrumental to hit Rock Band, so your singer can hit the little boys’ or girls’ room. Everybody else has work to do.

The song is basically one giant zigzag of HOPOs, all over the fretboard. You may want to practice your finger dexterity for this one, especially your ring finger and pinky. No need to save Overdrive for the solo, but beware the solo’s very end: Green, yellow, orange, repeat!

Calibration is also important here, so take advantage of the new RB2 guitars’ auto-calibrate feature.

"YYZ" as performed by Rush courtesy of Universal Music Enterprises and Core Music Publishing
Neil Peart, Gary Weinrib, Alex Zivojinovich
© 1981 Core Music/All Rights Reserved (SOCAN/SECSAC-USA)