"Flash of the Blade" by Iron Maiden: Guitar Lesson

Chords & Scales

Firstly, let's delve into the chord structure. The song operates mainly in the E Minor scale, which provides ample room for heavy riffing and melodic soloing. In terms of guitar chords, you can expect to see basic power chords (E5, A5, D5) along with their octave variations.

When it comes to scales, the song heavily relies on the E Minor Pentatonic and the E Natural Minor scales. You will notice a series of rapid, descending scale runs that infuse the song with its frenetic energy. The scales create a platform for the song's fiery mood while establishing a bedrock for the solos.

Guitar Solo Analysis

Ah, the solos—the stuff of legend. The lead work here is classic Maiden, a collaboration between Dave Murray and Adrian Smith. Murray's style is fluid, full of legato runs and melodic contours, whereas Smith tends to be more staccato, bringing in a bluesier texture.

The first solo starts off with a tasteful minor pentatonic lick that goes into a series of string bends, pulling you right into its spell. As we move further, you'll notice the utilisation of tapped harmonics to add a chime-like, ethereal quality. The switch between Murray and Smith is hardly noticeable due to their remarkable musical chemistry, but if you listen closely, you can hear Smith's signature alternate picking following Murray's melodic lead.

The second solo is a dive deeper into the harmonic minor scale. This gives the solo a somewhat neoclassical feel, a sort of Yngwie Malmsteen meets Iron Maiden. Again, legato rules the stage here with a sprinkle of pull-offs and hammer-ons. A hallmark of this solo is the use of unison bends that accentuate the overall texture of the song.

Lead Guitarists

Now, a few words on the geniuses behind the frets—Dave Murray and Adrian Smith. Murray, a stalwart of Iron Maiden, is known for his liquid-smooth playing style. He loves the Minor Pentatonic and the Natural Minor scales, and you can hear this in the flowing, melodic sections of the song.

Adrian Smith brings a different flavour, a blues-infused, hard-rock touch that perfectly complements Murray. His alternate picking technique adds a snappy quality to the overall texture. The two guitarists showcase their unique styles while perfectly harmonising with each other, especially in the dual-guitar harmonies that Maiden is famous for.

Techniques Used in "Flash of the Blade"

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Tapped Harmonics
• Unison Bends
• Power Chords
• Pull-offs
• Hammer-ons
• Chord Progressions
• Dual-Guitar Harmonies

So there it is—the epitome of Maiden’s electrifying riffage, powerful solos, and of course, their signature dual-guitar harmonies. If you're looking to up your game in heavy metal guitar, "Flash of the Blade" serves as a great study in how to merge melody with ferocity. After all, what could be better than dissecting a masterpiece to understand its inner workings? Sam Bell shows you every single note to this underrated track.