"Aces High" by Iron Maiden: Guitar Lesson

Overview

Ah, "Aces High" by Iron Maiden—this is a track that never fails to get the adrenaline pumping. Released in 1984 as part of the "Powerslave" album, this song is a quintessential representation of Iron Maiden's high-octane brand of metal. The masterful dual guitar work by Dave Murray and Adrian Smith on this track provides a blueprint for ambitious guitarists eager to delve into the world of heavy metal. Sam Bell jumps into the trenches and dissects what makes this song a rite of passage for metal guitarists.

Chords and Scales

The song starts with a bang, launching straight into power chords rooted in E and D, and you'll hear a lot of chugging away at palm-muted E5 power chords throughout. This provides a strong foundational bedrock for the lead elements to soar. In terms of scales, the song heavily features the E Minor Pentatonic and the E Natural Minor scale, along with occasional flirtations with the Harmonic Minor scale. The use of these scales adds a sense of urgency and a touch of exoticism that aligns with the song's battle-aircraft theme.

Lead Guitar Work

Murray and Smith's roles in this song exemplify the seamless chemistry between rhythm and lead guitar that Iron Maiden is famous for. While one is laying down powerful chords, the other is often diving into exhilarating solos. There's also the iconic dual-guitar harmonies that have become an Iron Maiden staple. The leads are chock full of rapid alternate picking and legato runs. The solos are an effective blend of melody and technical prowess—often kicking off with a catchy melodic phrase, followed by a series of scorching runs down the fretboard. There's a lot of string bending and vibrato, adding emotion to the mechanistic precision of the rapid-fire notes.

Solo Analysis

The solos in "Aces High" are a lesson in pacing and dynamics. Starting with simple, repetitive phrases allows the listener's ear to latch on before the guitarist takes off into a blistering sequence of scales and arpeggios. You'll find both sweep picking and alternate picking deployed in quick succession. This gives the solo a sort of "narrative arc," which is crucial for making technical wizardry resonate with listeners. The use of tapped harmonics at the peak of the solo adds a "spacey" element, providing a brief respite before plunging back into the fast-paced runs.

Techniques Utilised

To give you a comprehensive list, the song employs the following guitar techniques:

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Tapped Harmonics
• Chord Progressions
• Arpeggios
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Sweep Picking
• Hammer-Ons
• String Bending
• Dual-Guitar Harmonies

Conclusion

To sum it up, "Aces High" is a masterclass in the possibilities of guitar work within the realm of heavy metal. From the judicious use of scales and modes to the intricacies of lead techniques, the song provides a fertile ground for guitarists to learn and grow. With its perfect blend of melody, technique, and unabashed metal ethos, this Iron Maiden classic continues to serve as an essential study for guitarists keen on exploring the limits of the instrument within the context of heavy metal.