Gallop Poll

[pharmakon]

An Iron Maiden discussion in another section led me to wonder: When you do a Steve Harris-style gallop, how many fingers do you use?

 

[BrBss]

Obviously, Steve used 2 fingers. I can't play a constant gallop at fast tempos with 2, so I end up using 3.

 

[faulknersj]

I'd hust assume leave galloping to the horses and the grooves to me.

 

[Bloodhammer]

I voted 2, but sometimes use 3. Depends on the tempo.

 

[SteveC]

Better to develop your technique and use 2 fingers than cheat with 3.

I'll get my flame blocking suit on now.

 

[Psycho]

I flailed around with 3 because it seemed "normal and right", and then saw Steve do it and fgured, "Hey, if my inspiration does it why shouldn't I?"

Now i'm riding with 2, index and middle, but the only drawback is I tire from them quite easily...

Oh well, practice makes perfect.

 

[Mr wiggl3s]

I started with 3 when i first heard of it. Then i, like others, learned that Steve Harris only used two, so, like others, why the **** shouldn't i? Then i learned that Cliff Burton solely played with 2 and that put the nail in the coffin.

But, i actually have a lot more control from using 2 instead of 3 so i do find it practical.

I flailed around with 3 because it seemed "normal and right", and then saw Steve do it and fgured, "Hey, if my inspiration does it why shouldn't I?"

Now i'm riding with 2, index and middle, but the only drawback is I tire from them quite easily...

Oh well, practice makes perfect.

There's an exercise in electric bass guitar (book), it's intended purpose isn't for gallop, per-say, but it does build up your stamina. It's hard to explain, basically you're just galloping on one note for a few measures, then you play some fancy **** and repeat.

 

[Mad Russian]

So after studying his technique and gathering a lot of knowledge on the subject, I use 2 fingers. Steve's 2 finger gallop should be patented (if possible). The 666 video eludes to the fact that he uses 2 - "and is quite good at tickling" per Nicko.
I don't think he uses a standard 2 finger 'up stroke' as one might assume. I think it is more of a downward tapping/striking of the strings (toward the pickups), thus also producing the signature 'clack' sound of the strings hitting the frets, lending an even more specific and genuine tone to his gallop.

 

[pharmakon]

...basically you're just galloping on one note for a few measures, then you play some fancy **** and repeat.

Sounds like my typical bass line!


As long as you count a 5th and octave fancy!

 

[sammyp]

hmm ...do that lot's on guitar - i love Maiden but i don't think i can keep up to Harris yet on bass with my fingers ..i think if i was to pursue it, 3 fingers would be the way to go!

 

[sonic assassin]

i only employ the 3rd finger when using a gallop or roll. otherwise i cant get that timing right. id get pretty worn out playing a galloping line note for note on 2 fingers. sounds like a waste of energy.

 

[RestInPieces]

3. Much easier with three although Steve did use 2 fingers.

 

[pharmakon]

I'll be two-fingering it tonight when we cover The Trooper!

 

[champbassist]

I voted 2, but sometimes use 3. Depends on the tempo.

+1

Better to develop your technique and use 2 fingers than cheat with 3.

I'll get my flame blocking suit on now.

You better, for a narrow minded comment like that.

 

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

I've tried to play gallops with three fingers since that technique is great in terms of helping with endurance and stamina, but I don't like the tone I get playing that way. So, I always do gallops with two fingers. Something that may help in case you haven't thought about it: The most common plucking pattern for two-finger gallops (which aren't triplets but one eighth note followed by two sixteenths, BTW) is Index - Index - Middle. That's perfectly OK, but on fast tempos it may become problematic because of the two consecutive plucks with the same finger. If you are facing that problem, try playing the gallops with an strictly alternating pattern, so it will be I-M-I-M-I-M-I-M-I-M-I-M (bold letters show the leading finger for each beat). I do it that way on songs like "The Trooper" and "Run To The Hills" and it definitely works (for me, at least).

 

[Unwound]

so, is it weird to use four? thats is the most comfortable for me for some reason and was wondering if anybody does it..

 

[Staccato]

Two, and after reading recent posts on here, the third (ring) finger is getting some practice-soon. We'll see how that works out!

 

[Classickbass]

3, it is just so natural. I learned to do it that way back in the 80's and never changed.

 

[ccary]

2, using the I-M-I, M-I-M sequence. I've tried 3 but can't get it down.