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Iron Maiden - Genghis Khan - Guitar Tab

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Iron Maiden - Genghis Khan guitar tab video
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Amp Settings

Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble6
Presence5
Master7
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Iron Maiden Heavy Metal

About Genghis Khan

Few instrumental tracks in Heavy Metal pack this much twin-guitar action into a tight runtime, and "Genghis Khan" from Iron Maiden is a sharp example of what the band could do without a vocal melody carrying the weight. Running at 120 BPM in E Standard, the track sits at a tempo that feels comfortable until you realise how precisely the two guitar parts need to lock together. The interplay between the harmony lines is the real challenge here: each part is manageable on its own, but matching the phrasing, vibrato width, and attack of a second guitar takes real discipline. Spend time isolating each voice before attempting to layer them. The galloping rhythmic feel underneath those harmonies also demands solid right-hand consistency, so use the Practice Toolbar to loop any passage slowed down until the pick attack feels even and controlled. Getting both the rhythm tightness and the melodic lines clean is what makes this one genuinely satisfying to nail.

  • The song features the classic Iron Maiden twin-guitar harmony approach, requiring you to learn two separate melodic lines that work in thirds or sixths.
  • At 120 BPM in E Standard tuning, the galloping rhythm parts demand consistent alternate or downstroke picking to keep the feel tight.
  • Because it is a full instrumental, there is no vocal guide to lean on, so precise phrasing and dynamics in the guitar parts carry the entire track.

How to Play Genghis Khan

Tuning: E Standard · Tempo: 180 BPM

Loop the hardest passage and creep the speed up from around 70 percent until it holds at 180 BPM.

Fender Stratocaster
Guitar

Fender Stratocaster

Iron Maiden's signature choice for heavy metal, the Strat's bright single-coils in neck and middle positions deliver the glassy, articulate tone that defines their melodic passages. Dave Murray and Adrian Smith pair bridge humbuckers with this platform to preserve pick dynamics and note definition rather than drowning in compressed gain.

Marshall JCM800
Amp

Marshall JCM800

The backbone of Maiden's iconic sound, the JCM800's moderate gain structure lets the power tubes sing without preamp saturation, preserving the punch and harmonic clarity that makes their riffs cut through a mix. Murray and Smith set gain moderately to maintain definition while pushing the amp into natural tube breakup.

Seymour Duncan JB
Pickup

Seymour Duncan JB

Adrian Smith's weapon of choice, the JB's balanced output drives Marshall amps into singing sustain without over-compressing dynamics, allowing his lead lines to breathe with clarity and snap. This moderate-output humbucker maintains the attack and articulation essential to Maiden's punchy, defined metal tone.

DiMarzio Super Distortion
Pickup

DiMarzio Super Distortion

Dave Murray's bridge pickup at 13k output strikes the perfect balance, hitting the Marshall hard enough for thick sustain yet retaining enough dynamics for expressive bending and harmonic control. It's hot enough to sing but not so overwound that it flattens the natural Strat character underneath.

Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive
Pedal

Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive

Murray and Smith use this clean boost to push their Marshalls harder during solos, adding aggression without relying on pedal distortion, keeping the tube amp saturation as the true tone source. The SD-1 preserves their natural playing dynamics while giving leads extra presence and cut.

ISP Decimator Noise Gate
Pedal

ISP Decimator Noise Gate

Smith occasionally employs this noise gate to manage feedback and hum from his high-output rig without sacrificing sustain, staying true to Maiden's philosophy of minimal pedal intervention. It's a practical tool for live performance that doesn't color the natural tube amp tone.

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