I've always used just two fingers, the same as Harris. Two important things to remember, One is to really feel those triplets and practice them as fast as you can possibly go for as long as you can possibly go, sooner or later you will improve or give up. Second, his technique of plucking involves a feel more akin to striking from the front of the string to the back instead of plucking up from the bottom of the string to the top. Different actions that will net different speeds.
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So how do YOU play Steve Harris?
- Thread starter Shenron
- Start date
I try to hit to his backhand as much as I can.
Originally I used two fingers. Now that I'm older I use 2 fingers for some songs, thumb-index--middle for some, and pick for others.
Index, middle.
I played a lot of Maiden and similar type bands in the 80s/90s.
Start slow and work up stamina.
Black Sabbath’s Children of the Grave is good practice to get the fingers going.
The first Maiden tune I learned is Killers. Slow it down and get to it!
I played a lot of Maiden and similar type bands in the 80s/90s.
Start slow and work up stamina.
Black Sabbath’s Children of the Grave is good practice to get the fingers going.
The first Maiden tune I learned is Killers. Slow it down and get to it!
Look at all these people claiming to just walk up to Steve Harris, touching and tapping on him with three fingers.
That must be some site to see.
That must be some site to see.
Another good start is Powerslave. The main riff's got the characteristic galloping, but at a lower tempo.
Not much to add on the setup (his signature flats are key IMO), but I have been playing Iron Maiden in bands since the mid 80's and at one point I knew every Maiden song from every album up to and including Seventh Son, and used to be in a band that did the entire Live After Death album. I use three finger, starting with ring and alternating as needed, and obviously need to build up stamina. I couldn't care less that he only uses two fingers, I do what works for me - and besides, the alternating three is Billy Sheehan approved, which is where i think I picked it up. I also still play Master of Puppets with fingers, so I'm a rebel 
Edit: It's a joke on the whole "Cliff played with fingers/Jason played with pick."
Edit: It's a joke on the whole "Cliff played with fingers/Jason played with pick."
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Why does playing MOP with fingers make you a "rebel"?Not much to add on the setup (his signature flats are key IMO), but I have been playing Iron Maiden in bands since the mid 80's and at one point I knew every Maiden song from every album up to and including Seventh Son, and used to be in a band that did the entire Live After Death album. I use three finger, starting with ring and alternating as needed, and obviously need to build up stamina. I couldn't care less that he only uses two fingers, I do what works for me - and besides, the alternating three is Billy Sheehan approved, which is where i think I picked it up. I also play Master of Puppets with fingers, so I'm a rebel
It's a joke, man. As in I couldn't care less about how others play it. Awhile back there was a "Cliff played with his fingers/Jason used a pick" debate and about how authentic etc. Maybe I'm just too old to try and make witty jokes ...
Or also maybe I'm not that witty ;-)
I can play most Maiden songs as fast as Steve Harris, using only my index and middle fingers. That said, Steve has been my primary bass playing influence for 30-something years - so I have been doing it for a very long time. All I can say is practice will get you there.
No. It's all good. I'm getting too old to get the joke sometimes.
Playing Harris is impossible.
When I tried to drill holes to attach strap pins, the man howled in pain and security chased me off.
When I tried to drill holes to attach strap pins, the man howled in pain and security chased me off.
I use 3 fingers when I play Iron Maiden songs (like Wrathchild), but I'd say start training yourself to do 3 fingers on slower songs or ones that aren't made for triplets. Like a song with "Straight 8ths", but at a leisurely pace. I eventually got better at doing interrupts and picking up on the next note or skipping a string...I went Ring-Middle-Index when plucking.
It actually became QUITE useful for extending my plucking hand stamina on repetitive "Straight 8ths" songs, reducing fatigue giving me more consistency. YMMV, but it helped me in more than just playing fast metal songs. Helped with pop/slap too, as I had 3 fingers to pop with
It actually became QUITE useful for extending my plucking hand stamina on repetitive "Straight 8ths" songs, reducing fatigue giving me more consistency. YMMV, but it helped me in more than just playing fast metal songs. Helped with pop/slap too, as I had 3 fingers to pop with
I saw Steve Harris with his other band British Lion in a small club. I got there early and got a place to stand right in front of his rig. I could have reached out and touched him he was so close. Anyway, he does indeed seem to drum or tap his strings rather than dig in with two fingers. Also his tone is sharp - a clanking sound. He even used his signature Sans Amp at the gig, which I would recommend if you truly want to capture his sound.
I used to play some Maiden songs in a band back in the day (Wrathchild, Run to the Hills, Flight of Icarus) and always used a pick. Steve plays flats and still gets that bright sound. I'm a round wound player.
I used to play some Maiden songs in a band back in the day (Wrathchild, Run to the Hills, Flight of Icarus) and always used a pick. Steve plays flats and still gets that bright sound. I'm a round wound player.
