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Rush - Freewill - Guitar Lesson

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Rush - Freewill - Guitar Lesson

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Rush - Freewill guitar lesson video
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Permanent Waves album cover
Permanent Waves
1980 5:22
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Rush Progressive Rock 1980 E minor
Capo Advisor 0 E minor · Original key

Freewill

"Freewill" is the second track on Rush's 1980 album Permanent Waves, written by Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart. The song blends progressive rock complexity with a relatively accessible structure, earning praise as cerebral yet radio-friendly. For electric guitarists, Alex Lifeson's intricate chord voicings, dynamic rhythm work, and melodic lead passages make "Freewill" a rewarding study in how technical playing can serve a song without overwhelming it.

  • Alex Lifeson composed the music alongside Geddy Lee, showcasing his signature blend of clean arpeggios and driven electric tones.
  • The song runs approximately 5 minutes and 22 seconds, giving guitarists plenty of material to work through across its sections.
  • Neil Peart wrote the lyrics, which explore themes of free will and personal choice, a hallmark of Rush's intellectually driven songwriting.
Fender Stratocaster
Guitar

Fender Stratocaster

Lifeson used the Stratocaster during the 'Moving Pictures' era for cleaner, thinner tones that contrasted with his Les Paul warmth, allowing him to access brighter textures within complex Rush arrangements.

Gibson Les Paul Standard
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Standard

The Les Paul's PAF-style humbuckers and thick sustain were Lifeson's primary tool through the '70s and early '80s, delivering the warm, fat tone essential for Rush's heavy riffs and soaring lead lines.

Gibson Les Paul Custom
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Custom

This premium Les Paul variant provided Lifeson with enhanced sustain and tonal depth during classic-era Rush, reinforcing the thick humbucker character that defined tracks on 'Hemispheres' and '2112'.

Marshall Plexi (1959 Super Lead)
Amp

Marshall Plexi (1959 Super Lead)

The Marshall 100-watt Super Lead cranked to breakup was Lifeson's workhorse amp in the '70s, delivering the crunchy overdrive and punchy aggression that cuts through Rush's dense instrumentation.

Orange Rockerverb
Amp

Orange Rockerverb

Used in later tours, the Orange Rockerverb's warm tube tones and built-in spring reverb gave Lifeson a more refined, spacious sound while maintaining the punch needed to compete with Geddy's keyboards.

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
Pedal

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah

Lifeson deployed the Cry Baby wah for expressive solo passages throughout Rush's catalog, adding dynamic vocal-like qualities to his lead work that enhanced emotional impact within progressive arrangements.

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