What Iron Maiden songs to learn?

[Slaphound]

C,mon guys. Has no one ever played "The Ides of March". It precedes WrathChild on the Killers record. That by far is the easiest Maiden song to learn.

 

[WayneS]

I guess to me, Strange World off of the first album would be the easiest to play.

 

[spade2you]

For the 2 vs. 3 finger debate, I've been using 3 fingers for so long that it gives me a slight headache thinking of how to do it with 2. I was taking classical guitar while learning bass and heavy into Billy Sheehan, both of which had me using 3 fingers when speed was needed. No offense to Steve Harris or anyone who uses 2, but IMHO, it's kinda like trying to run your car a lot faster without shifting into the next gear.

I'm not comparing the awesome Steve Harris to Nikki Sixx, but hanging your bass down to your knees ain't gonna make you sound more like him. Comfort always wins. Besides, if you watch Geddy, that stuff looks pretty uncomfortable to us mere mortals.

 

[landry.bass]

This is something that I never understood. Maiden is my fav band and I know most of their songs. However, I want to play Maiden's (Steve's) music, but I dont necessarily want to play like him. I can play the triplets (killers, caught somewhere in time) but I use three fingers. Does that make me less of a bassist? I see videos on youtube where people do a great job on a maiden song, then there are posts where other people blast them for doing it with three fingers.

I don't really think it matters. If you can play the songs, and play them well, that's what matters. Alot of people blast technique that really have no idea anyways.

 

[bohemond]

The Clarivoyant, off of Seventh Son of a Seventh Son.

I wouldnt say its that easy, especially for a beginner

 

[Scott in Dallas]

I don't really think it matters. If you can play the songs, and play them well, that's what matters. Alot of people blast technique that really have no idea anyways.

I agree. If you can play the parts right, it doesn't matter how you do it. I only learned how to do it with two fingers because it was important to me at the time to do it the same way Harris does, but that doesn't mean everyone has to do it that way. In fact, my reasoning wasn't particularly practical or logical, it's just the choice I made.

 

[MtManiac]

Just to be clear, the "triplet" rhythm that everyone keeps talking about here isn't really triplets, it is two sixteenth notes and an eighth note per beat, whereas a triplet would be three eighth notes per beat (in 4/4 time). da-da-dah, da-da-dah versus dah-dah-dah, dah-dah-dah. All triplets all the time would sound really weird, like the bass was playing 12/8 while everyone else was playing 4/4.

 

[Scott in Dallas]

Just to be clear, the "triplet" rhythm that everyone keeps talking about here isn't really triplets, it is two sixteenth notes and an eighth note per beat, whereas a triplet would be three eighth notes per beat (in 4/4 time). da-da-dah, da-da-dah versus dah-dah-dah, dah-dah-dah. All triplets all the time would sound really weird, like the bass was playing 12/8 while everyone else was playing 4/4.

Actually, I think I'm the only one guilty of using the incorrect terminology. Can you believe I was a music major at one time?

 

[spade2you]

Just to be clear, the "triplet" rhythm that everyone keeps talking about here isn't really triplets, it is two sixteenth notes and an eighth note per beat, whereas a triplet would be three eighth notes per beat (in 4/4 time). da-da-dah, da-da-dah versus dah-dah-dah, dah-dah-dah. All triplets all the time would sound really weird, like the bass was playing 12/8 while everyone else was playing 4/4.

D'oh, I think my classical instructor might have been miffed at my inaccuracy. Although, I once had a guitar teacher call them galloping triplets. Is that a totally musically wrong term?

 

[MtManiac]

D'oh, I think my classical instructor might have been miffed at my inaccuracy. Although, I once had a guitar teacher call them galloping triplets. Is that a totally musically wrong term?

Sorry, but yeah, totally wrong.

But also totally forgiveable. I just wanted to address it before it became cemented in the vernacular.

 

[ysand]

People, use 4 fingers if that suits u best to play the song as it should be played!
noone will say anything as long as it sounds good.

And BillMason is right. (Tho i always thought it was the 8th note first and then two 16ths.)

 

[Bassin']

People, use 4 fingers if that suits u best to play the song as it should be played!
noone will say anything as long as it sounds good.

And BillMason is right. (Tho i always thought it was the 8th note first and then two 16ths.)

Yeah, the 8th note is on the downbeat.

 

[Octopussy]

If you really want to work your right hand out, play Killers or Caught Somewhere in Time. It'll help you get the two finger gallop down. And also they extremely fun to play

 

[4001]

Learn the stuff from the first two albums...IRON MAIDEN and KILLERS.
That should keep you busy for awhile.

 

[jz75]

I happened to stumble on a tab book about 20 years ago when I was a beginner that had Phantom of the Opera wedged in between Def Leppard and Priest tunes. For me, that song is a great representation of Steve Harris's many techniques. Highly recommended.

And as for what fingers to use, use what feels right. I always thought Steve used three fingers but I felt fine with 2 so and I left it at that.

It's pretty apparent from being on talk bass briefly that people worry too much about what others think they should do instead of just doing what they want to do. Have fun, learn along the way and play for yourself.

 

[4001]

It's pretty apparent from being on talk bass briefly that people worry too much about what others think they should do instead of just doing what they want to do.

+1
Talk bass, not preach bass.

 

[Octopussy]

I think that a great song to build up speed is "Caught Somewhere in Time". It's hard to keep the triplet rythym smooth through seven minutes of that speed. I personally play with two fingers, and after playing that song a couple times your just going to be plain faster with two fingers. But like a couple people here said, learn em all

 

[MtManiac]

People, use 4 fingers if that suits u best to play the song as it should be played!
noone will say anything as long as it sounds good.

And BillMason is right. (Tho i always thought it was the 8th note first and then two 16ths.)

You are correct! (4 year old zombie thread!)

I can't imagine using three fingers to play Maiden... Don't know how any of y'all find it easier! Not hating, at all, it just boggles my mind. I'd say if you can do it and make it sound good, it's a strength not a weakness! No apologies required. I just can't imagine how you are able to do it!

Interestingly, James Jamerson used only one finger, "The Hook."

 

[germ_77]

I'm just starting to learn maiden songs but play most of it with 2 fingers but the gallops I find much easier with 3. I use my indexfor the 8th note then ring then middle for the 16ths so they end up being ring middle index after the first 8th note and just feels really natural to me so far but I'm not good at it yet.

 

[EddiePlaysBass]

Resurrecting a zombie thread, rather than starting a new one...

I've never been a metal player, although in my early years I did play some Maiden (Wicker Man, mostly). Since I'm not in a band, I decided this is as good a time as any to focus on a handful of things: reading, technique and learning new songs.

Since I have a Maiden bass anthology book for ages now, figured I'd finally put it to use by ... Learning some Maiden. And it's frustratingly difficult I am learning the Iron Maiden tune and after having spent 15 years unlearning my typical pentatonic fills, now I have to actually relearn them? Damn you, Steve!!

But I'm having fun with this, so will keep at it