I can't play this one fast bass part on Iron Maiden's "Phantom of the Opera

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8IuFl3sMhk

That part at 3:24. It's way too fast. It's in triplets and the notes are too close together for me to play. How do I compromise that part? I can play the rest of the song relatively well.

It's a lot easier to do triplets using a pick. Harris doesn't use one for that song, so I wouldn't advise it, but it's a way to accomplish your goal of playing the song.

Otherwise just keep practicing.

It's a lot easier to do triplets using a pick. Harris doesn't use one for that song, so I wouldn't advise it, but it's a way to accomplish your goal of playing the song.

Otherwise just keep practicing.

Saturos3091

I tried a pick and it's even harder than trying to use my fingers. I don't want that little 15-second part to keep me from covering a 7-minute song.

[QUOTE="Saturos3091"]

It's a lot easier to do triplets using a pick. Harris doesn't use one for that song, so I wouldn't advise it, but it's a way to accomplish your goal of playing the song.

Otherwise just keep practicing.

DragonRebel0908

I tried a pick and it's even harder than trying to use my fingers. I don't want that little 15-second part to keep me from covering a 7-minute song.

[QUOTE="DragonRebel0908"]

[QUOTE="Saturos3091"]

It's a lot easier to do triplets using a pick. Harris doesn't use one for that song, so I wouldn't advise it, but it's a way to accomplish your goal of playing the song.

Otherwise just keep practicing.

Saturos3091

I tried a pick and it's even harder than trying to use my fingers. I don't want that little 15-second part to keep me from covering a 7-minute song.

Can I substitute that part with something different?

Can I substitute that part with something different?

DragonRebel0908

My favorite Iron Maiden song:D.

So I can't just play an easier variation of it? It's either that or don't play the 7-minute song at all because I can't play the fast version of that part.

Steve only uses two fingers when he plays. Freebird8877

I know...that one part is just too fast for me; so can I do an easier variation of it? Like 2 notes instead of 3? That's what I do when I play "The Trooper".

[QUOTE="Freebird8877"]Steve only uses two fingers when he plays. DragonRebel0908

I know...that one part is just too fast for me; so can I do an easier variation of it? Like 2 notes instead of 3? That's what I do when I play "The Trooper".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8IuFl3sMhk

That part at 3:24. It's way too fast. It's in triplets and the notes are too close together for me to play. How do I compromise that part? I can play the rest of the song relatively well.

DragonRebel0908

WOW this songs bringing back memories!

I'd suggest not compromising it. Just play it at a slow, comfortable pace; play it over and over and over again and gradually speed up. If you make a mistake, start from the beginning. Practice practice practice. Eventually you'll get there, and it'll help your overall playing too!

[QUOTE="DragonRebel0908"]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8IuFl3sMhk

That part at 3:24. It's way too fast. It's in triplets and the notes are too close together for me to play. How do I compromise that part? I can play the rest of the song relatively well.

NaturalJoe

WOW this songs bringing back memories!

I'd suggest not compromising it. Just play it at a slow, comfortable pace; play it over and over and over again and gradually speed up. If you make a mistake, start from the beginning. Practice practice practice. Eventually you'll get there, and it'll help your overall playing too!

My fingers can't move between the two strings that fast.

My fingers can't move between the two strings that fast.

DragonRebel0908

If this is the case, then like I said, practice is the only remedy. At least in my humble opinion. I don't mean to toot my own horn, but the first song I learnt on bass was Run to The Hills. So In my mind I'm at least a capable gallop-er. Also, how many fingers do you use to gallop?

Hm... Looking at a tab for it now, I guess you could always cheat and hammer on/pull off, eg:

G: ------14--H--16-----------14--H--16-------

D:-14------------------14---------------------14

etc etc.

You could also assign your index finger to the D string and your middle finger to the G and play it in a kind of fingerpicking, broken chord style.

Personally, unless this is something you need to be able to play immediately, I'd advise you to just keep playing it the way Steve Harris does.

Good luck!

Just keep trying it until you get it, substituting something for a piece of bass by Steve Harris should be considered a sin anyway.

Just keep trying it until you get it, substituting something for a piece of bass by Steve Harris should be considered a sin anyway.

Bloodaxe726

Can I hammer-on from the second note to the third note instead of plucking both? I may be able to do that.

[QUOTE="Bloodaxe726"]

Just keep trying it until you get it, substituting something for a piece of bass by Steve Harris should be considered a sin anyway.

DragonRebel0908

Can I hammer-on from the second note to the third note instead of plucking both? I may be able to do that.

Feel free to read my post above his! :)