How to play like Steve Harris? 2 simple rules!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 เม.ย. 2017
- Hey guys !
Many of you requested a tutorial on "how to play like Steve Harris" from Iron Maiden.
Here we go ! I decided to do it for his technique became mine as well, inasmuch as I was deeply influenced by him in my early bassist years.
Fell free to leave any constructive comments and questions.
Like and share to anyone who could be inspired by it ;)
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ENJOY !!!
I wish you a wonderful IRON MADE HAND ;)
Take care !
DIDJE59 - เพลง
"I always carry Ice Cube with me - not just for cooling my fingers, but also for that sweet rap flow."
Genadij Smradztoiek
You can’t do that two at the same time dude.
@@user-bo6dk9rx6z Ice Cube with capital I and C ;)
Hahahhahahhaahaha
Instablaster...
His sound comes from the percussive banging of the strings combined with flatwounds and a TON or treble dialed in to the amp
He also uses wristbands to avoid sweat goes down to his fingers/wrist so he can execute the movements precisely. Awesome video, mate! Thanks!
the blisters advice are precious
Highest quality info I've seen on Steve's technique. If I may add two things that I also learned from using his unique method of anchorning the right hand: 1, allows one to hit strings very very lightly, and 2, it allows one to comfortably hold the bass a lot lower than most. Up the Irons!
Thanks for the compliment and tips.
Take care ;)
30 years ago, the 14 year old me obsessively played along with the Powerslave album for the entire summer.
That influenced my technique as a player almost more than anything else.
Your pointers are pretty great. Thanks for this
My pleasure ;)
Josh from BassBuzz sent me here! Thanks very much for the tutorial it helped tons.
Cheers to you and him then. I really like this bloke ;)
DG
That frozen water bottle trick is brilliant. I am so glad that I found this channel.
Hej Sven, glad att hjälpa dig !
Ha det bra!
DG
as an alternative, you can get a glass of any drink with lot of ice cubes, great for home practicing
excellent video and information. I wasn't aware of him using just two fingers....I've used 3 to mimic his style, now I may convert to this style of technique. Great informative work mate, thanks!!!
Missing a rather important aspect of Steve's playing. His attack isnt plucking the strings vertically, he smashes downward through the string. That is where the signature Harris fret clack comes from.
Lol. I play like that. On every song. Not even Maiden. I have big heavy hands, even for a guy and everything gets clacking. Most of my playing is so hard it sounds like slap. I;m trying to learn to play lighter just so the speed is easier. The faster I play, the harder I play for some reason.
This was gold! You've answered every question I had about Steve's mysterious technique.
Hey Rob. Terrific ;) Keep practicing, the key's here !
WELL DONE - By far the most accurate and detailed explanation of the 'arris right hand technique I have seen on youtube or elsewhere. Steve and Maiden were the reason I bought a bass at the age of 15 :)
Thank you very much ;)
One of the best and most informative tutorials on TH-cam. Great job. Thanks for sharing.
Let the practicing begin! Thank you for this information.
I'm self taught, and my technique was based off how Harris played. I love it when the bass stings click during playing. Great video!
Great ! I love the clicks too ;)thanks ;)
Thank you very much for the video, it was exactly what I was looking for!
I really can't thank you enough. I have much more to work on than getting the notes correct. Thanks!!
Your anti-blister tip is awesome. I've been doing it and it really does limit the blistering. Merci mon cher.
I'm glad I helped ;)
nice. Been played several maiden songs and wondered how Steve makes so great sound out of hes bass. Thanks man.
Finally! I’ve been searching for this, i been a beginner on bass but I want to play like Steve. I never seen anyone play like him.
You thoroughly broke this down, easy to understand
And thanks for the tip on avoiding blisters!
Thank you 😉
Superbly done, sir. That's the best, most in-depth exploration of Steve's technique that I've seen. Kudos and thanks!
Thanks for both the compliment and "Sir" ! It's my pleasure to convey what makes me happy ;) Take care !
Love this video man thanks for making this!
Great! Very in-depth video. I'm a guitar player and just picked up a bass to fool around on. I've always been a fan of Steve's style, I'm going to conquer this technique!
Well done ! And cheers mate 😃
Very useful video personally for me, thank you!
Fabulous video! thanks a lot for all of the info man! Harris is a legend.
Cheers mate 😎 ;)
Iron Made Hand very cool, fun to try
Geddy Lee also seems to move his entire right hand to increase his impact on the strings. I admire both Geddy and Steve!
Yup so do I ;)
Geddy mutes the strings with the thumb which is a classical guitar technique.
As a guitarist and holiday- fun bassist, I admire both oth them. They just come closer to my personal preference of rock- bass, than many slap- bass players. They accentuate single notes and do not get them lost in rhythm.
Trust me...this is the best tutorial EVER on TH-cam. These really are trade secrets, and chapeau for that!
Thank YOU ;) That's what I call a compliment ! All the best ;)
He is right, it is a fantastic tutorial.
Merci beaucoup! Thanks a lot, I used to think he played with three fingers, too, by the tremendous galloping sound , but on detailed watching his playing by youtube ,I realized about most of the tips and points you are detailing here...And well, I´ll try my best with this certainty now!! I´ll be watching at your band, and covers too, thanks from Argentina!!
Good, I'm glad to help.
Take care and you're welcome ;)
Practicing "Empire of the clouds" right now, and this video really enlightend me on the arpeggios. Great Video.
great song the first 5 min are so beautiful XD
Excellent presentation and explanation of a technique that is hard to see in concert films and videos- I'm a hybrid thumb/string anchor player and I look forward to trying out the floating/guide thumb technique - keep up the great playing and videos!
Thank YOU 😉
Thx for Sharing with us... awesome Tipps to get better 👍👍👍
Only been playing for about 9 months, and now I have a long term goal. Awesome, and very helpful video.
Thanks, I felt the same when I heard Iron Maiden for the first time ;)
Great video. Going to check out your other ones.
Thanks Didier, very kind and nice video. Regards from Brazil
never seen a video like this before. thanks mate!
My pleasure, and please share it if you enjoyed it ;) Cheers !
I'm amazed to discover that he has the same technique as I do. Only difference is that he's a better player and is successful.
Hey David, are you talking about Steve or myself ?
@ Steve
Thanks for the video. I am trying this now. I don't even play Maiden music. It is a very comfortable technique.
what an excellent instructional video!
Thank you. Coming from such a good musician, you comment is very gratifying. All the best ;)
Thank you for this. I hadn't seen someone dissect Steve Harris' technique like this before. My own "John Doe" plucking style has three possible anchor points depending on the bassline. It's either on the top pickup, on the E string, or on the A string with the first knuckle of my thumb against the E string to keep it quiet. No "duck-hand here! haha I'm going try that right hand arpeggio technique you demonstrated, looks like an easier anchor point than I usually use.
You're welcome mate. Thanks for this account of yours. Keep it up ;)
DG
Really informative and superbly executed! Thank you! BTW for a french guy your english accent is spot on, in contrast to other french speaking people!
Thanks a lot ;)
Dude this is awesome thank you. I'm enjoying my new blisters. I am a massive Harris fan and I could never get the gallop right I did 2 finger 3 fingers everything. It feels difficult and unnatrual when your so used to anchoring your thumb. But I'm trying to stick with it and I'm seeing real progress. Got me excited about playing the bass again. Thanks dude your awesome!!!
Hey! I'm glad to hear that! Keep rockin' mate!
Take care ;)
Thank you for this marvellous video!
My pleasure ;)
Most helpful video! Many thanks - makes perfect sense. "Heel" of the hand, by the way!
very good video mon ami, you are 100% right about Steve "galloping" with 2 fingers and NOT 3. I hadn't thought about the other techniques that you mention, but you must be right!
Cheers mate 😎
Extremly informative.
Thank you! 🤘🏻
it s beatiful to listen to people who clearly knows
Thanks ;)
Good video, articulate and to the point.
Thank you ;)
Thanx - been wondering a lot about Steve's technique!
Cheers mate, check out the end of this very video, you'll find a link dealing with Steve's gallop.
Have fun ;)
Wonderful video. Very insightful. Thank you!!
My pleasure, thank you ;)
Interesting. Thanks for posting.
Genuinely great video. And literally the only one I've seen apart from Mark at TalkingBass that stresses that Steve Harris uses two fingers, whereas all other videos says he's using three. Only been playing since January, started looking into playing The Trooper recently as a pet project while learning. Great demonstration!
Cheers. You know Steve himself confesses he uses only TWO, so...
Two fingers.
R,L,R (rest)
L,R,L (rest)
R,L,R (rest)
L,R,L (rest)
fingers hit for first 3/4. The fourth quarter is a rest. No ring finger.
Thanks for these tutorials I was able to become the new bassist for my local maiden tribute band
merci beaucoup
My pleasure, all the best to you !
YOU ARE A LEGEND DUDE
Cheers mate 🤩
Thank you for this video!! Is amazing!!
Thanks Didier this was very helpful Steve really looks like he's beating his poor strings to death but it really is a lighter sort of touch that he plays with but hand positioning is the key
Thank you and merci all the tips! I just got the SH bass, and would love to use his technique, so will need much practice. I’m actually a regular guitar player, but wanted to learn bass as well.
Hey, great ! Congratulations. You'll learn more with this tutorial:
th-cam.com/video/xQVICegjeII/w-d-xo.html
Cool video, some interesting insight into the awesome Mr Harris, thanks for sharing
Thank YOU 😉
Great Vid. I can't play exactly like him but I have my own kinda hybrid way of doing it that gets close to his sound. One thing's for sure, on riffs like Number Of The Beast, Rime Of The Ancient Mariner, The Clairvoyant and such there's no way around keeping that index finger firing away like a jackhammer. When I'm playing Maiden stuff is the only time I really feel like playing fingerstyle bass. I bought a standard P-bass to have around just for the times I get in the mood!
Great insights here. I just started playing the bass not too long ago and I'm feeling the affects of the "duck hand". I appreciate your study and this video will help me stop playing like a duck. Looking forward for the rest of your videos.
Thank you ;)
This is definitely the best explanatory tutorial video on Steve's technique I've ever seen. Very informative...Great job sir!!
Thank you very much. ;)
I appreciate it!
DG
OMG! This was badass!
Cheers! Check out my second tutorial: th-cam.com/video/xQVICegjeII/w-d-xo.html
Thank you! I had no idea about the wralm!
I was the same when I was in a band and I was asked to do bass I immediately looked to Steve Harris and also a bit to Cliff Burton .
super vidéo. merci à toi
Steve Harris's bass technique is probably one of the most recognisable and unique playing styles in rock history. Try to imagine Iron Maiden albums without Steve's Bass tone?
Fantastic!
This is such a great video. very informative. i've not been playing long and always use a pick. BLISTERS INCOMING!!!
Cheers ;) You now know how to avoid them ;)
Thanks for this video, it was very enlightening!
My pleasure. I made another one dedicated to steve's gallop.
Très intéressante vidéo. Merci Didier.
Mon plaisir ;)
Very nice video, thank you!
really good video man very helpfull
Thank you. Others will follow ;)
gracias por mostrar estos videos
I am mostly self taught but ive had two previous teachers try to change my floating thumb/hand - which has become "habit" since day one. I quickly left both those teachers and continued on my own. Recently, i have met a new teacher who encourages my technique and seems to be interested in "why" i play this way. I have tendonitis and carpal tunnel - and this style is the only way for me to play mostly pain free. If it aint broke - dont fix it.
Thanks for your message ! And you did well leaving those academic birds !
If you want to know more about Steve's gallop, I recently made a video on this subject the link of which you'll find at the end of this very one.
Take care !
I've always moved my thumb along the strings, oposed to the majority of bass players. I always though i was "weird" because of it and that i maybe didnt have ther right tecnique. That's good to know such a great bass player plays like me hahaha
Indeed. You just do good. Don't change 🤩
Nice tip with an ice bottle... I'll use it the very next rehearsal...Cheers!
Bass has thick strings and a big sonic variety with the harmonics being in the mid freq and very pronounced, so you can modulate your sound with the way you hit the strings greater than the most string instruments. So i think the anchored style is a stupidity if it is the norm, you can play closer or further to the bridge and you get so much flavour, you can hit with different force, different parts of the fingers, the whole hand, the nails, whatever suits your sound. Thank you for sharing this technique i ll try it. Also the thumb gently over the strings stops the ringing of them if the are not played (this is one reason why Steve and a lot of great bass players use it)
Thank you very much !!
MASTER OF MASTERS PLAYING THE BASS STEVE HARRIS WITH THE BEST METAL BAND IRON MAINDEN
I'm not a bass player, but someday I would like to learn how to play Maiden bass lines and you gave important tips, thank you
You're welcome, thank you ;)
The French Steve Harris !!!! Great bass player, awesome didactics !!!!
Cheers mate ;)
Awesome video! I've always wondered why it looks like Steve Harris is using a pick even though the sound is obviously fingerstyle. I'm going to see Maiden again on 8/19/19, I'll look for these descriptions! See my attempt at this sound on my channel.
Something that isn't mentioned here is that the left hand muting also contributes to Steve's sound, as the muting between gallops creates space that emphasizes the first of the three notes when galloping. The video shows this is happening, it just isn't mentioned.
Again great video, looking forward to many more!
Up The Irons!!!
Thanks, I cover the subject in this video: th-cam.com/video/xQVICegjeII/w-d-xo.html
how Was the show? I’m going to see them in Albuquerque next month
Thanks a lot, very detailed video!
Anytime ;)
Thank you very much
Great video , I'm a gutiar player but played bass in a cover band just to make money. I could play all of the songs with my fingers exept for the Madian songs like Number of the Beast and the Trooper . I had to cheat and use the pick on them. I always thought he used 3 fingers to play the parts, I'm glad you showed the right way to play them.
Thanks!!! very interesting video...stay heavy 👏👏🤘😎
I will indeed ;)
Cheers anyway!
Hi Didier. Great video. I am actually a drummer but working on a local Iron Maiden tribute as a bassist cos I love bass too! We are based in Marseille! This video really helps. Really interesting and really well explained.
Cheers mate. Es-tu francophone ?
@Anglais à la base, mais je m'adapte :)
Cool ;)
4:05 That's basically Renaissance lute/guitar technique, complete with resting pinky.
Didier, you're mad! excellent job btw. one year later and you're still the best at explaining the crazy technique. Something about your hands though... looks like you trimmed your fingers to the same length... my middle finger is sooo proud - well 1cm longer puts the right hand at quite an angle...
Hey, thanks.
That's right, nature bent my middle finger so that it reaches the same length as my index. I'll show you in my next video ;) or meanwhile on my gear page on my site. www.didiergerome.com/my-gear
Take care.
DG
thanks Brother! Steves the man!!
Cheers ;)
This is absolutely CORRECT!
Cheers mate 😎
Great stuff!
Interesting.... like the idea of these techniques.
Would be happy to learn more to apply.
Hey, cheers mate!
I created another tutorial on how to gallop like Steve: th-cam.com/video/xQVICegjeII/w-d-xo.html
DG
great video! its the clearest and best one I have found on the internet (it comes from a tribute band bassist nonetheless...)
I have a couple questions:
does playing "low", like with the full arm extended (like Steve plays) help so much? I find it helps getting less tired because the arm is relaxed, but im not so comfortable with the left hand.
also, where do you usually play with your right hand? I tend to play very close to the bridge because that way the strings don't buzz too much.
thank you and keep on with the great work!
Ciao Ettore!
You're right what you gain on the right hand, you lose on the left. Just a measure of balance.. Only you can adjust it. Btw, Steve plays higher that I. My bass is very low, I don't mind for my left arm does the job.
DG
Thak you for your explanation about how Steve Harris plays!!!!!!!!
You're welcome 😎
Great video. Up the Irons!
Cheers 😁
"I wish you wonderful iron made hand!" - that was very humorous. :)
Estupendo amigo gracias