22 Acacia Avenue by Iron Maiden – Guitar Lesson

Master one of Iron Maiden’s most ambitious and dynamic tracks with our note-for-note guitar lesson of “22 Acacia Avenue”, taken from the 1982 landmark album The Number of the Beast. This multi-section epic is packed with everything that defines Maiden’s signature sound—rapid-fire riffs, melodic lead guitar passages, intricate arrangements, and soaring dual harmonies. A perfect showcase of the band’s musical range, 22 Acacia Avenue is both a rewarding challenge and a goldmine of essential guitar techniques.

In this full-length LickLibrary guitar lesson, we break down every section of the song in detail, teaching you how to replicate every riff, run, and solo with clarity and precision. Along the way, you’ll focus on key techniques including power chords, palm muting, string bending, and vibrato, each of which plays a major role in bringing this track to life. This lesson is taught by Danny Gill.

Technique Focus

Power Chords

From the main riff to the thunderous verse and chorus sections, power chords are the foundation of the song’s heavy rhythm parts. They provide the punch and clarity that keeps the guitar tone tight and focused even through fast tempo changes and complex transitions.

Learning benefit: Practicing power chords strengthens your fretting hand and tightens your rhythm playing. They’re essential for maintaining precision under distortion and form the backbone of almost every classic metal riff.

Palm Muting

The chugging rhythm passages throughout 22 Acacia Avenue are executed with precise palm muting, especially in the verses and during transitions between sections. This technique helps create dynamic contrast, giving the riffing more clarity and percussive bite.

Learning benefit: Developing palm muting improves right-hand discipline and control, helping you play tight, articulated rhythms that cut through the mix—vital for mastering Maiden’s aggressive but clean tone.

String Bending

During the solo sections, both Smith and Murray use string bending to add drama and emotion to their phrasing. Whether hitting wide bends or subtle microtones, bending is essential for making the solos sound vocal and expressive.

Learning benefit: Working on string bending improves pitch control, finger strength, and dynamic phrasing—skills that elevate your solos from mechanical to musical.

Vibrato

You’ll hear vibrato throughout the song’s melodic solo lines, especially in the sustained notes where the guitar sings over the rhythm section. The wide, controlled vibrato used by both Maiden guitarists adds intensity and helps notes sustain with character.

Learning benefit: Mastering vibrato adds depth and feeling to your playing. It gives your solos more personality, helps you control sustain, and brings an expressive quality that separates pros from beginners.

Why Learn This Song?

22 Acacia Avenue is a complete workout for rock and metal guitarists. With its shifting time signatures, intricate dual-guitar parts, and intense emotional phrasing, the song is a deep dive into Iron Maiden’s musical complexity. It will improve your stamina, timing, and touch, giving you a stronger grasp of classic metal phrasing and arrangement.

This lesson is not just about memorizing a song—it’s about unlocking the techniques and mindset behind one of the greatest metal bands of all time. Whether you’re adding a classic to your gigging repertoire or pushing your lead and rhythm skills further, this is a lesson that delivers lasting results.

About the Song and Iron Maiden’s Guitarists

22 Acacia Avenue was penned by Adrian Smith, originally as a song for his pre-Maiden band Urchin, before being reworked with Steve Harris into a full Iron Maiden epic. The track serves as a sequel to Charlotte the Harlot and is packed with tempo changes, mood shifts, and technical playing, making it a standout on The Number of the Beast.

The song features both Adrian Smith and Dave Murray, whose twin-guitar approach became one of the most influential pairings in heavy metal. Adrian’s rhythmic precision and bluesy lead style complements Dave’s fluid, legato-heavy phrasing. Their combination of melody, aggression, and technicality helped define the sound of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal and continues to inspire guitarists worldwide.

What You’ll Learn in This Lesson

Our lesson covers every part of 22 Acacia Avenue, including the iconic main riff, the complex tempo shifts, and the epic solo sections. You’ll learn how to execute each part with confidence and style while building the skills needed to play tighter rhythms and more expressive leads. This lesson is ideal for intermediate to advanced players who want to sharpen their timing, articulation, and control while diving deep into a Maiden classic.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• String Bending
• Vibrato

Take your guitar playing to the next level by learning 22 Acacia Avenue—a perfect blend of precision, power, and melodic finesse with LickLibrary’s complete step-by-step lesson.