how many others gallop?

[Bass master Burt man]

I was wondering how many of you fellow bassists like to throw down a galloping bass line Iron Maiden style? I'm very good at galloping from playing so much maiden when I was younger. Don't really hear too many other bass players do it though besides the man Steve Harris himself.

 

[lokikallas]

I'm jamming We Rock by Dio and Lights Out by UFO now in a band and the gallop is fun. Funny enough the Maiden song we play is Wrathchild with no gallop.

 

[Wookieonbass]

I can gallop but not for very long.

 

[wisconsindead]

can you provide an example? Idk much about Iron Maiden but I always think of a certain kind of walking bass line in my head as a "gallop"

 

[callofcthulhu]

This is my preferred method of playing as well.

 

[Clef_de_fa]

the "gallop" thingy is : two 16th followed by a 8th note or an 8th note followed by two 16th note. Everyone would use that rythm but for an extended period it kind of sound boring to me ... pretty much like someone only play quarter or only 8th for a whole song

 

[Kyle_S]

I love playing Maiden, but lately I've been having fun with a different kind of "gallop":

 

[rolleharris]

Steve only plays with 2 fingers. There is a video on youtube where he tells it

 

[INTP]

When the song calls for it:


The opening riff on this one is something like a gallop, almost. I still don't know how he gets the tone with the plush fish laying on the strings.

 

[Ralph Notoro]

Simple and accessible galloping. Fun to practice to.

 

[JeffreyMcJunior]

I LOVE maiden. I know Steve only uses two fingers, but I can lay down the 'Trooper' gallop with three all day long. When I first started playing, I thought it was "cheating" to use my ring finger to get those rapid fire triplets.. But once I found out thats what Les Claypool was doing (he learned that technique from Stanley Clarke), it became a pretty crucial trait to my playing. Regardless of what other bass heroes use this method, it just feels natural to me.

 

[xUptheIronsx]

Well, my avatar says it all...

but yes, in a few of our originals, I have found a place for the gallop thing. It is a tribute to my influences...I also made sure that it fits the part of the song that it is in...

 

[Dougie1316]

When it calls for it yes, would sound a bit daft using it when the time isnt right. I used to do it all the time when I was younger though.

 

[joebar]

the gallop was the first thing I learned 30 years ago because of harris-
I have to say, I have perfected it with two fingers.
I cannot remember a time when I couldn't do it.

 

[Fxpmusic]

I love doing it on funky tunes actually. Quick gallop then some syncopation, back to gallop within a groove or riff

 

[rtslinger]

I do on occasions in songs that don't use it, but since it works in the song I add it

 

[Slevage]

Lots of 70's disco------


Root---- 1/8 note followed by -----Octave--- 2, 1/16 note
(I played "Do ya think I'm sexy, by Rod Stewart
5 nights a week for a whole summer)----- earned enough to pay 1/2 my college tuition for that year.

I guess for me it was a $$$$$ bass line.

I limit its use these days.

 

[MrBKerth]

I used to play alot of maiden when I was exclusively a guitar player. Nowadays I love throwing in a gallopy triplet when I can to spice up the groove in certain parts of songs. The best ones are where my drummer picks it up and will gallop in beat with this kit. Nobody else notices but hey us rhythm guys gotta have fun too!

 

[Slough Feg Bass]

I do it all the time in my metal band.
Loads of fun, especially when you can lock in with the double kick drummer like a stopwatch, and the les pauls screaming through the marshall stacks......yeah, that's what gets me goin.

 

[trunkshope6]

playing punk rock fingerstyle .galloping was a must if you want to flow with a faster drum beat. I cant do it for too long but Matt Riddle from No Use For A Name practically gallops in every fast song,he has credited Steve Harris as a big inspiration on his technique.Check out The Answer is still No for a pretty good example of him playing fast.