Steve Harris' Triplets

[patRICK4003]

So... I'm a big Iron Maiden fan, and Steve Harris is one of my favorite bassists, but I've been kept from learning practically half of Iron Maiden's songs because of the sheer speed of his galloping triplets. As you probably all know, he is able to play gallops super fast with just two fingers.
I've seen covers on YouTube like this one:



So I can assume its not impossible to mimic his superhuman quickness, but is there any particular method of practice or finger exercises that can make attaining this ability easier? Is it simply a process of starting slow and gradually becoming faster? I'd prefer to use two fingers as opposed to some odd three finger technique.

Oh yeah, and don't say "use a pick." No offense to pick users, but I'm not much of a fan of using a pick.

 

[Samsound]

If it works for you - there's no reason to NOT use 3-fingers. You won't win an award for copying his technique precisely.

 

[ysand]

Proper technique will get u there using 2 fingers.
3 fingers might me easier and cause less fatigue.
Last but not least, they're not triplets, they're 8ths and 16ths.

 

[zon5string]

I've always used 3 fingers for that fast gallop thing. I've never had someone ask, "Why do you use 3 fingers? Steve Harris only uses 2." I have, however, had people comment that they can hear a Harris influence in some of my playing.

And, of COURSE it is possible. Start slower, get faster. That's the only way.

Finally, he's not superhuman, he's just been at it for 40 years. He didn't just magically start doing it one day, either.

 

[puddin tame]

that's super human quickness??

just practice, as long as you're playing every day it will come

 

[onosson]

I have found finger-tapping (like on a table) to be immensely useful. No joke! I was a huge Maiden fan in my teens, and Steve Harris was one of my earliest bass influences... I spent many hours in school tapping my fingers away - I usually lead with my middle finger, but I'm not sure that makes any difference.

 

[patRICK4003]

ysand you're right, they're an eight followed by two sixteenths, just looked up some sheet music . I guess I could use some ear training practice too.

 

[Chrisk-K]

Do not pluck the strings. According to Nicko, Steve Harris merely tickles the strings. Steve once said in a BP magazine interview that if someone else plays his rig, he'll destroy the speakers.

 

[patRICK4003]

Or is it an eighth with a rest than two sixteenths? Oh whatever.

 

[patRICK4003]

Yeah I've noticed that having a super-light touch helps the speed. I've also heard rumors that he chalks up his fingers, like he's about to do a routine on a pommelhorse or something.

 

[Chrisk-K]

To me galloping with 2 fingers sounds much cleaner than with 3 fingers. I still cannot play "Caught Somewhere In Time" from start to finish even with 3 fingers.

 

[Supa Scoopa]

i found that even though i am pretty good with a pic, doing harris style triplets is MUCH easier with two fingers, forget about 3 finger playing thats for death metal and coroner.

pluck lightly, steve bounces his fingers off the strings, thats also how he gets that clanky sound, and probably makes up for alot of his stamina, try and pick the songs like geddy would and you'll run out of steam very quickly.

 

[progmanjum]

I have found finger-tapping (like on a table) to be immensely useful. No joke! I was a huge Maiden fan in my teens, and Steve Harris was one of my earliest bass influences... I spent many hours in school tapping my fingers away - I usually lead with my middle finger, but I'm not sure that makes any difference.

Same here. I would always play along on tables, steering wheels (my own), thighs (my own), pillows were interesting...long before I got a bass. I still suck...but I can do a decent two finger gallop for extended periods.

 

[onda'bass]

Proper technique will get u there using 2 fingers.
Last but not least, they're not triplets, they're 8ths and 16ths.

+1

 

[Psycho]

Steve's gallops have been my main struggle in about 4 years of playing. I still can't play Run To The Hills.

Two fingers feels more fluid and controlled to me, but to each his own. Start slow, and speed it up a teeny bit at a time.

 

[champbassist]

Or is it an eighth with a rest than two sixteenths?

Nopes. A gallop is an eighth followed by two sixteenths. There's no rest in between.