Guitar & Bass Tabs
Iron Maiden
Learn Iron Maiden's Guitar & Bass Style
Discover how Iron Maiden developed their signature guitar and bass sound, the techniques you'll encounter in their music, and the best lessons to begin your learning journey.
Iron Maiden is one of the most enduring and influential forces in heavy metal. Formed in London in 1975 by bassist Steve Harris, the band built a reputation on ferocious riffs, persistent gallop rhythms, and epic storytelling. They honed a new wave of British heavy metal sound that fused brutal energy with melodic hooks, creating the blueprint for generations of metal guitarists. Eddie the Head, the band's sinister mascot, became an instantly recognizable icon, guiding their stage shows and artwork.
With a rotating but consistently strong lineup, Iron Maiden's classic era arrived after Bruce Dickinson joined as lead singer in 1981 and together with guitarists Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, and later Janick Gers forged a string of landmark albums. The Number of the Beast (1982) catapulted them to arena fame, and tours like the World Slavery Tour defined their relentless live intensity. The band's relentless touring, distinctive two-guitar harmonies, and Steve Harris's driving bass made them a template for long-form metal success. Iron Maiden has sold well over 100 million records worldwide and remains a staple of rock radio and stadium stages.
Today, Iron Maiden's influence spans countless metal acts, progressive-rock-adjacent epics, and technically minded players. Their catalog—ranging from soaring anthems to razor-sharp riffs—continues to inspire new generations of players to explore melody within heaviness. DadRock Tabs hosts 79 Iron Maiden lessons, covering fan favorites and category staples to help you master their signature sound and technique.
🎸 Want to know what gear Iron Maiden used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
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Wicker Man
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Prowler
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Remember Tomorrow
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Running Free
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Phantom Of The Opera
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Transylvania
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Charlotte The Harlot
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Iron Maiden
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Wrathchild
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Murders In The Rue Morgue
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Another Life
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Innocent Exile
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Killers
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Purgatory
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Prodigal Son
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Drifter
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Invaders
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The Prisoner
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Children Of The Damned
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22 Acacia Avenue
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The Number Of The Beast
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Gangland
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Run To The Hills
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Hallowed Be Thy Name
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Where Eagles Dare
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Revelations
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Flight Of Icarus
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Die With Your Boots On
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The Trooper
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Quest For Fire
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Sun And Steel
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To Tame A Land
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Aces High
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Losfer Words
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2 Minutes To Midnight
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Flash Of The Blade
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The Duellists
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Back In The Village
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Powerslave
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Caught Somewhere In Time
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Wasted Years
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Sea Of Madness
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Heaven Can Wait
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The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner
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Stranger In A Strange Land
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The Evil That Men Do
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Deja Vu
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Moon Child
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Can I Play With Madness
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Infinite Dreams
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The Prophecy
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Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son
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The Clairvoyant
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Only The Good Die Young
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Tailgunner
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Holy Smoke
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Public Enema Number One
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No Prayer For The Dying
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Fates Warning
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The Assassin
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Run Silent Run Deep
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Hooks In You
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Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter
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Mother Russia
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From Here To Eternity
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Be Quick Or Be Dead
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Fear Is The Key
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Childhood's End
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Wasting Love
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Chains Of Misery
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Judas Be My Guide
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Weekend Warrior
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Fear Of The Dark
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Lord Of The Flies
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Genghis Khan
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Wasting Love
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Playing Style
Iron Maiden's playing style is built on dual guitar harmonies, relentless gallop rhythms, and melodic yet technically demanding solos. Steve Harris's bass anchors the songs with a forward-driving pulse, often using triplet-based gallop rhythms that become the engine of many tracks. The guitarists trade call-and-response riffs, weave harmonies, and deploy both palm-muted power chords and cleaner, arpeggiated passages. Expect fast alternate-picking lines, precise string bending, and memorable modal hints that lean into minor scales and bluesy phrasing. Their sound is instantly recognizable: bright, cutting tone with aggressive attack and a long sustain that suits big choruses and expansive solos.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
Iconic gear centers on versatile, guitar-driven tones: the band has relied on a mix of Fender Stratocaster- and Gibson Les Paul-style guitars from Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, and Janick Gers, paired with Marshall stacks to craft their bright, punched-in tone. The bass is a booming, driving force in Steve Harris's hands, often heard upfront in the mix. Effects are used judiciously, with delay and chorus shaping choruses and solos, while the stage show — featuring Eddie — completes the band's signature sound.
Why Learn Iron Maiden Songs?
Learning Iron Maiden tunes helps players build core rock and metal skills: riff-writing discipline, tight rhythm, and the art of weaving dual guitar lines. The catalog spans accessible songs like Can I Play With Madness to more ambitious pieces like Fear of the Dark, offering progression in tempo, technique, and stamina. Students will develop alternate picking, palm muting, precision timing with a gallop rhythm, and efficient bending and vibrato on solos. Mastering these tracks builds confidence for crisper rhythm parts, dynamic soloing, and stage-ready feel.
Did You Know?
- 1Eddie the Head, Iron Maiden's iconic mascot, first appeared on the 1980 self-titled album cover and has since stalked stages worldwide.
- 2Bruce Dickinson is a licensed pilot and has run his own aviation ventures, reflecting the band's larger-than-life, multi-talented ethos.
- 3Iron Maiden's World Slavery Tour (1984–85) is legendary for its scale and endurance, helping redefine what a metal tour could be.
- 4Iron Maiden have sold well over 100 million records worldwide, cementing their status as one of metal's most successful and enduring acts.
76 Iron Maiden lesson(s) available — Start learning today!
Learn to Play Iron Maiden Guitar
Explore Iron Maiden guitar and bass lessons with a focus on riffs, rhythm parts, classic rock techniques, and practice-friendly video lessons.
Start Here
Begin with the most recognizable riffs and rhythm parts before moving into harder songs.
Techniques
Practice power chords, timing, picking control, bends, vibrato, and classic rock phrasing.
Next Step
Use the lessons below to build a practice path from easier songs to more advanced parts.
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