About this recording
Piece of Mind · 1983 · Original album studio recording
Playing level: advanced · Theory level: beginner
These lead breaks need separate home notes. Start with the E minor map for the first, then compare A minor for the second.
The scales at a glance
Compare the notes
Learn these shapes, then see how they help explain each solo below. Some are extra ideas for your own practice.
| Scale | Notes | Intervals | Use in this study |
|---|---|---|---|
| E Minor Pentatonic | E · G · A · B · D | 1 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭7 | Listening guide |
| A Minor Pentatonic | A · C · D · E · G | 1 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭7 | Listening guide |
Solo breakdown
First solo
Guitar: Adrian Smith
Where is this solo?
The first individual guitar solo in the instrumental break, before the second player takes over.
Start with E minor pentatonic for the first solo. Follow its short phrases before moving to the next player.
E Minor Pentatonic
Listening guide
Use E minor pentatonic as a listening guide for Adrian Smith’s first lead break.
E · G · A · B · D
◎ Outlined dots = E, the home note.
Standard tuning (teaching setup) · frets 12–15 · high string 1 at top · toward nut →
These dots show where the scale notes are. They do not show the order of the solo.
Read the note positions
- String 1, fret 12: E, interval 1, root
- String 1, fret 15: G, interval ♭3
- String 2, fret 12: B, interval 5
- String 2, fret 15: D, interval ♭7
- String 3, fret 12: G, interval ♭3
- String 3, fret 14: A, interval 4
- String 4, fret 12: D, interval ♭7
- String 4, fret 14: E, interval 1, root
- String 5, fret 12: A, interval 4
- String 5, fret 14: B, interval 5
- String 6, fret 12: E, interval 1, root
- String 6, fret 15: G, interval ♭3
More about these scales
E Minor Pentatonic Listening guide
Use E minor pentatonic as a listening guide for Adrian Smith’s first lead break.
E · G · A · B · D
How the chords shape the solo
Chords and note choices
Listen for the landing note
Listening idea E, G and B belong to E minor. Find E in this map, then listen for a phrase that returns to it. Open Second solo separately to compare the A minor reference.
Technique tips
Technique and phrasing
- legato: Legato means joining notes smoothly. A hammer-on sounds a higher note with your fretting finger; a pull-off sounds a lower one. Match their volume to the picked note. Practice suggestion
Practice ideas
Try the ideas yourself
Original practice suggestions; these are not the recorded solo.
Try this slowly
Make a three-note phrase from E Minor Pentatonic and finish on E. Repeat it with a longer final E. Then open Second solo when you are ready to compare its different home note.
Check: You can keep a steady pulse and hear the final note clearly.
Solo breakdown
Second solo
Guitar: Dave Murray
Where is this solo?
The second individual guitar solo, after the first lead break and before the band returns to the shared melody.
Switch the home note to A for this listening guide of the second solo. Keep it separate from the first solo’s E minor shape.
A Minor Pentatonic
Listening guide
Switch the home note to A for a suggested map of Dave Murray’s following break.
A · C · D · E · G
◎ Outlined dots = A, the home note.
Standard tuning (teaching setup) · frets 5–8 · high string 1 at top · toward nut →
These dots show where the scale notes are. They do not show the order of the solo.
Read the note positions
- String 1, fret 5: A, interval 1, root
- String 1, fret 8: C, interval ♭3
- String 2, fret 5: E, interval 5
- String 2, fret 8: G, interval ♭7
- String 3, fret 5: C, interval ♭3
- String 3, fret 7: D, interval 4
- String 4, fret 5: G, interval ♭7
- String 4, fret 7: A, interval 1, root
- String 5, fret 5: D, interval 4
- String 5, fret 7: E, interval 5
- String 6, fret 5: A, interval 1, root
- String 6, fret 8: C, interval ♭3
More about these scales
A Minor Pentatonic Listening guide
Switch the home note to A for a suggested map of Dave Murray’s following break.
A · C · D · E · G
How the chords shape the solo
Chords and note choices
Listen for the landing note
Listening idea A, C and E belong to A minor. Find A in this map before following a fast phrase. This solo has its own reference; the first solo’s E label does not carry over automatically.
Technique tips
Technique and phrasing
- legato: Legato means joining notes smoothly. A hammer-on sounds a higher note with your fretting finger; a pull-off sounds a lower one. Match their volume to the picked note. Practice suggestion
Practice ideas
Try the ideas yourself
Original practice suggestions; these are not the recorded solo.
Try this slowly
In A Minor Pentatonic, choose two nearby notes and answer them with a held A. Keep a beat of silence before repeating. Compare the feeling of home with the E ending in First solo.
Check: You can keep a steady pulse and hear the final note clearly.
A simple practice plan
Put the study into practice
- Listen to the chosen solo and identify its beginning and ending.
- Find the root notes: the notes the scale is named after. Say their names, then play them.
- Add one new note, or aim for a note from the chord. Make a short phrase of your own.
- Listen to the solo again. Can you hear where the phrase comes to rest?
Updated 2026-11-10
This analysis may contain errors or inaccuracies.