The Number of the Beast by Iron Maiden – Guitar Lesson

Step into the legendary world of British heavy metal with our note-for-note guitar lesson of “The Number of the Beast” by Iron Maiden. This groundbreaking track, released in 1982 as the title track from the band’s third studio album, marked a turning point in heavy metal history. With its dramatic intro, thunderous riffs, and explosive solos, The Number of the Beast is not only a fan favourite but also a masterclass in tight rhythm playing and expressive lead guitar work.

Our LickLibrary lesson breaks down every section of the song with precision, teaching you exactly how to replicate the riffs and solos as performed by Iron Maiden’s iconic guitarists. This lesson focuses on essential techniques such as power chords, palm muting, string bending, and alternate picking, giving you the technical foundation to deliver the song with accuracy, tone, and attitude. This lesson is taught by Danny Gill.

Technique Focus

Power Chords

The song’s hard-hitting verses and choruses rely on aggressive power chords to drive the rhythm. These chords provide the heavy, focused tone that underpins the song’s riff-based structure, especially in the intro and chorus progressions.

Learning benefit: Practicing power chords improves your rhythm accuracy and strength, especially under distortion. It’s a fundamental skill for any guitarist wanting to master rock and metal rhythm playing.

Palm Muting

Iron Maiden’s galloping rhythms and tight chugs in the verse sections use palm muting to create tension and dynamic control. This technique gives the riffs a tight, percussive edge while maintaining note definition at high speed.

Learning benefit: Mastering palm muting sharpens your right-hand control and helps you develop clean articulation in fast, distorted passages. It’s key to locking in with the rhythm section and delivering tight, aggressive riffs.

String Bending

String bending is used in both the lead melodies and solos to bring out expressive, vocal-like phrasing. Rhoads-inspired and full of attitude, these bends are often wide and deliberate, requiring precision and strength.

Learning benefit: Working on string bending improves your pitch accuracy and finger control. It teaches you how to emote through your guitar playing, bringing character and feel to your leads.

Alternate Picking

One of the most essential techniques for executing Maiden’s faster passages is alternate picking. It’s used in riffs and runs throughout the track, particularly in the pre-chorus and solo lines that require speed and clarity.

Learning benefit: Practicing alternate picking develops your picking hand coordination and efficiency. It allows you to play fast passages cleanly and consistently, making it a core technique for metal and shred players alike.

Why Learn This Song?

The Number of the Beast isn’t just a classic—it’s a blueprint for heavy metal guitar playing. Learning this track will help you build essential techniques, improve your timing and phrasing, and give you a greater appreciation for how composition and technical execution go hand-in-hand.

Whether you're preparing for a live performance, developing a classic metal setlist, or simply improving your skills through iconic songs, this lesson will challenge and inspire you. Dive into the world of Iron Maiden and come away with a sharper, stronger, and more expressive approach to guitar playing.

About the Song and the Guitarists

“The Number of the Beast” features the signature twin-guitar attack of Dave Murray and Adrian Smith, whose playing defined the golden era of Iron Maiden. Murray’s fluid, legato-rich soloing is perfectly balanced by Smith’s bluesy, structured phrasing, creating a dynamic interplay that has inspired guitarists across generations.

This track was one of the first to fully showcase the band’s new frontman Bruce Dickinson, alongside their evolving sound—heavier, faster, and more melodic. For guitarists, it’s a perfect representation of early '80s metal guitar at its best. Learning this song provides insight into Iron Maiden’s compositional approach, tone crafting, and technique, making it a must-learn for any metal guitarist.

What You’ll Learn in This Lesson

In this full breakdown of The Number of the Beast, you’ll learn every riff, transition, and solo from start to finish. The lesson covers all rhythm and lead guitar parts, including the harmonised sections and expressive solo phrasing. You’ll develop greater control over articulation, timing, and dynamics, while building speed and precision through structured exercises and real-world application of metal guitar fundamentals.

This lesson is ideal for intermediate to advanced guitarists who are looking to enhance their rhythm tightness and lead phrasing, all while learning one of the most iconic songs in metal history.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• String Bending
• Alternate Picking

Experience the energy, power, and precision of The Number of the Beast and master one of Iron Maiden’s most defining tracks with this complete LickLibrary guitar lesson.