Steve Harris technique

[msiner]

It's not my favorite style of music, but my band is learning "Wasted Years" by Iron Maiden. I am having trouble replicating the right sound. When I am using my fingers, the attack seems too muted, but the attack of a pick is too harsh. I looked up a couple videos of Iron Maiden and it looks like Steve Harris uses his fingers, but, in the music video at least, it didn't look like he was using his index. I am probably wrong there, but it looked strange. Anyway, does anybody have any advice on how to replicate his sound? I would like to think it can be done with the right technique, but chime in if you think it just needs the right EQ. By the way, I am using a P/J with the J turned off. Thanks for any help.

[bhass]

He uses flatwounds, but his attack is very harsh (with his fingers). Lot's of fret noise.

[two fingers]

Yep. It's probably the flats that are throwing you off. As far as technique, that's a whole different ball game. I'll bet he can crush bricks with his right hand! I tried (years ago when I was into that kind of stuff) to play lightly while learning Aces High. It didn't work. I just had to pound it out. Hurt like hell but sounded great!

[msiner]

Right now I am using stainless rounds, so I have a bit of a mismatch there. I guess I will try dialing back the tone knob a bit and attacking the strings hard with little regard for fret noise. Thanks for all of the help so far. Knowing that he is using flats was definitely an eye-opener.

[backline112]

Please note that by fret noise, I think they mean the "clacking" of the strings against the last frets of the fingerboard.

[msiner]

Originally Posted by backline112

Please note that by fret noise, I think they mean the "clacking" of the strings against the last frets of the fingerboard.

Yeah, that's what I assumed. What else would "fret noise" refer to?

[sevenyearsdown]

flats, triplets, lots of practice

[sjw1971]

+1 to above.

His sound is mostly in his fingers and attack - you really need to master three fingered triplets to nail his sound. It helps if you use flats and a P-bass too...

[KuMBye YamALaWd]

Originally Posted by sjw1971

+1 to above.

... you really need to master three fingered triplets to nail his sound...

According to Bass Player interviews I've read, Steve Harris uses only 2 fingers (index & middle)
... though the only way I can get that "galloping" thing going on is by using 3 fingers! Sounds like 3, he claims it's 2


.

[sevenyearsdown]

Originally Posted by sjw1971

+1 to above.

three fingered triplets

You will likely find debate on this point.

I think he plays with two fingers.

[msiner]

Wikipedia had this to say:

He is most known for his "galloping" bass lines - usually an eighth note followed by two sixteenth notes at fast tempo (e.g., "The Trooper") or eighth note triplets – which he plays with two fingers. Before playing, Harris often chalks his fingers, to make these fast patterns easier to play, as shown on the bonus DVD for the A Matter of Life and Death album.

[bggeezer]

Originally Posted by KuMBye YamALaWd

According to Bass Player interviews I've read, Steve Harris uses only 2 fingers (index & middle)
... though the only way I can get that "galloping" thing going on is by using 3 fingers! Sounds like 3, he claims it's 2


.

why would he lie? i have seen youtube interview where he states clearly he uses only two fingers. But I can only do the gallop with three!

[Krt Krtt]

I can do the gallop with two, but with three its slightly easier. I've read somewhere that Steve used oil on his fingers and never warms up before a show.

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Originally Posted by sjw1971

you really need to master three fingered triplets

Some interesting stuff here at the 1:54 mark. BTW, the typical Iron Maiden's gallop pattern is NOT a triplet, but an eighth note followed by two sixteenths, as stated on the above Wikipedia quote. If you are looking for triplet feel on Iron Maiden music (although those aren't real triplets but groups of three eighths per beat in 12/8 time - sound like triplets, anyway) check the second section of "The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner" ("There calls the mariner, there comes a ship over the line...) and "Losfer Words (Big 'Orra)", for example.

[edbutler3]

Yeah, Harris definitely does it with two fingers. People get confused on that point because if you watch him on video, when he hits the string with his middle finger, the third and fourth fingers move along with the middle. (I watched some video recently in frame-by-frame slow motion, so I'm pretty certain of this.) And he's got such a fast right hand that it's just hard to believe. There's no way I can play those fast gallops with two fingers myself -- I'd have to use three or break out a pick.

[machine gewehr]

If finger style feels muted and if pick sounds too harsh one solution is to play closer to bridge with fingers.You will get an agressive sound that's neither muted nor too harsh.

Messing with pickup balance and mids are adviced also.

[patrickm]

2 fingers,right hand placement and unfortunately,you may have to boost your treble a bit.That clack-y noise was from the use aggressive digging in.A light touch here is not going to get you that sound. Dig in,saddle up and run to the hills. Steve Harris was one of the first bassists to inspire me and even though I'm older,nothing beats putting on a maiden disk every once in awhile and feeling young again

[BeerBeer]

I actually learned today that he plays his galloping style with index, index, middle

[Greevus]

Harris's right hand is pretty unique. He sort of holds his fingers really straight and sort of punches the strings. That fret clack is essential too. I use a pick but Steve's my hero, so I can replicate it pretty well. I will use my fingers to get that spongy sound though. The early Maiden is like a bass player's wet dream. He is fast with that two finger gallop also.

[machine gewehr]

Originally Posted by Greevus

Harris's right hand is pretty unique. He sort of holds his fingers really straight and sort of punches the strings. That fret clack is essential too. I use a pick but Steve's my hero, so I can replicate it pretty well. I will use my fingers to get that spongy sound though. The early Maiden is like a bass player's wet dream. He is fast with that two finger gallop also.

I still get wet after all those years when I listen to early Maiden.

His index index middle galloping is crazy,in his Bass Secrets vid. Billy Sheehan says how he's amazed by his playing and there's no way he could do that with 2 fingers.