Hallowed Be Thy Name by Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden's "Hallowed Be Thy Name" is a legendary track that has captivated fans worldwide since its release on the 1982 album The Number of the Beast. This iconic song showcases intricate guitar work by Iron Maiden's revered guitarists, Dave Murray and Adrian Smith, whose styles blend seamlessly to create a sound that is both powerful and haunting. In this comprehensive guitar lesson, you'll learn to play "Hallowed Be Thy Name" note-for-note, diving into the signature techniques and stylistic nuances that define the song. Not only will you master the song's specific guitar parts, but you'll also develop valuable skills that will benefit your overall guitar playing. Andy James breaks down this classic heavy metal song in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarists

Dave Murray and Adrian Smith are known for their melodic, expressive, and technically proficient guitar playing, making them two of the most influential guitarists in the metal genre. Murray’s smooth, fluid legato style and Smith’s precise, articulate playing complement each other beautifully, allowing for harmonised melodies and dual-guitar harmonies that have become a hallmark of Iron Maiden's sound. This partnership has inspired countless guitarists to explore melodic heavy metal, with Murray and Smith’s influence extending to genres beyond metal, shaping players who seek to merge technical prowess with expressive phrasing.

Techniques Explored in This Lesson

Galloping Rhythms

The galloping rhythm is a foundational element in "Hallowed Be Thy Name." This rhythm creates a relentless, driving feel that energises the song’s verses and builds tension throughout. Mastering galloping rhythms helps guitarists develop precision in timing and alternate picking while building speed and stamina. Practicing this technique will strengthen your rhythm-hand control, essential for playing high-energy metal and rock.

Dual Guitar Harmonies

Iron Maiden is famous for their dual-guitar harmonies, and "Hallowed Be Thy Name" is no exception. This lesson will walk you through the harmonised sections in detail, teaching you how to play both parts of these intricate harmonies. Learning dual guitar harmonies will improve your ear for harmony and teach you how to complement another guitar part melodically and harmonically, a valuable skill for ensemble playing.

Vibrato

Dave Murray's signature vibrato adds expressiveness to each sustained note, allowing for more emotional resonance. This technique is key in replicating the iconic sound of Iron Maiden’s solos. Practicing vibrato will help you control the pitch and sustain of your notes, making your solos more dynamic and expressive.

Legato

In "Hallowed Be Thy Name," the use of legato passages is integral to the fluidity of the solos. Dave Murray’s legato style, which involves smooth hammer-ons and pull-offs, allows for rapid note changes without picking each note individually. Mastering legato techniques will enhance your speed and fluidity, especially in faster passages, enabling you to play faster while maintaining a smooth, connected sound.

String Bending

String bending is an essential technique for emulating the expressive sound of the guitar solos in this song. The lesson will focus on achieving accurate pitch bends, allowing you to match the emotional weight of Murray and Smith’s solos. String bending improves pitch control and adds an element of vocal-like expressiveness to your playing.

Arpeggios

"Hallowed Be Thy Name" features arpeggiated chord progressions that add depth and complexity to the sound. Learning these arpeggios will improve your finger dexterity and help you understand how to break down chords for melodic soloing. This skill is valuable for any guitarist looking to add sophistication and melodic nuance to their playing.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

The fast solos in "Hallowed Be Thy Name" require smooth transitions between notes, achieved through hammer-ons and pull-offs. These techniques will allow you to play faster and more fluidly by reducing the need for picking each note. Practicing hammer-ons and pull-offs is essential for building speed and is a fundamental skill for most rock and metal solos.

Power Chords

Power chords drive the rhythm sections of "Hallowed Be Thy Name," providing a powerful, full-bodied sound that supports the harmony. This lesson will help you master power chord transitions and finger placements, essential for building a solid rhythm foundation in rock and metal genres.

Palm Muting

Palm muting adds a percussive quality to the guitar, enhancing the rhythm sections’ intensity. Learning to control your palm muting technique allows you to add texture and dynamic range to your playing, an invaluable skill for creating contrast within a song and achieving that classic metal chugging sound.

Slides

Slides are used in "Hallowed Be Thy Name" to transition smoothly between notes and add an element of drama to the phrasing. Mastering slides will help you add expression to your playing and create seamless transitions, which is particularly useful for soloing and melodic phrasing.

Benefits of Learning These Techniques

Each technique in "Hallowed Be Thy Name" contributes to building a well-rounded skill set for any aspiring guitarist. The galloping rhythm sections and power chords will enhance your timing and rhythm-hand control, essential for both solo and ensemble playing. Mastering the vibrato, legato, and string bending techniques will make your soloing more expressive and help you connect emotionally with your audience. Meanwhile, dual-guitar harmonies and arpeggios provide a foundation in melodic playing and harmony, invaluable for players looking to perform with others or add layers to their compositions.

Guitar Techniques Used in "Hallowed Be Thy Name"

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• String Bending
• Arpeggios
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Slides
• Galloping Rhythms
• Dual Guitar Harmonies

Through this detailed lesson, guitarists will not only learn to play a classic Iron Maiden song but also gain essential skills that will elevate their overall playing ability, making "Hallowed Be Thy Name" an invaluable addition to their repertoire.