"Evil Woman (Don't Play Your Games With Me)" by Black Sabbath

Introduction

"Evil Woman (Don't Play Your Games With Me)" is a track from Black Sabbath's self-titled debut album, released in 1970. This song showcases the band's signature heavy blues-rock sound, driven by Tony Iommi's iconic guitar work. In this lesson, we'll delve into the guitar chords used, guitar scales, and provide a thorough analysis of the guitar solo. We'll also discuss Tony Iommi's playing style and techniques employed in this song.

Guitar Chords Used

The primary chords used in "Evil Woman" are derived from the blues and rock vocabulary, giving the song its heavy and gritty feel. Here are the main chords:

• E Major (E)
• D Major (D)
• A Major (A)
• G Major (G)

These chords form the backbone of the song's structure, providing a solid foundation for the riffs and solos.

Guitar Scales

Tony Iommi predominantly uses the E minor pentatonic scale for his solos and riffs in this song. The E minor pentatonic scale is a staple in rock and blues music, offering a rich palette of notes for creating soulful and powerful solos.

Guitar Solo Analysis

The guitar solo in "Evil Woman" is a prime example of Tony Iommi's skilful blending of bluesy bends and melodic phrasing. Let's break down the solo:

1. Intro Lick: The solo kicks off with a classic blues lick in the E minor pentatonic scale, using slides to transition smoothly between notes.
2. Bluesy Bends: Iommi employs several bluesy bends, adding expression and emotion to his playing. These bends are crucial for achieving the song's raw, emotive feel.
3. Vibrato: Throughout the solo, Iommi uses vibrato to sustain notes and add depth. This technique is essential for bringing life to sustained notes and making them sing.
4. Alternate Picking: The fast runs in the solo showcase Iommi's proficiency with alternate picking, ensuring precision and speed.
5. Double Stops: Iommi incorporates double stops to create harmony and add a thicker texture to the solo. This technique is particularly effective in rock solos.
6. String Bending: The solo features several instances of string bending, which add a vocal-like quality to the guitar lines.

Tony Iommi's Playing Style

Tony Iommi is renowned for his innovative approach to heavy rock guitar playing. Despite losing the tips of two fingers in an industrial accident, Iommi adapted by using lighter gauge strings and creating custom-made plastic covers for his fingers. This unique setup contributed to his distinctive sound and playing style.

Iommi's playing in "Evil Woman" is characterised by:

• Power Chords: He makes extensive use of power chords, which are essential for achieving the song's heavy and aggressive tone.
• Riffs and Rhythms: Iommi's riffing is tight and rhythmic, often incorporating palm muting to create a percussive effect.
• Melodic Phrasing: His solos are not just fast but also melodically rich, often weaving in and out of the pentatonic scale to create memorable hooks.

Guitar Techniques Used

In "Evil Woman (Don't Play Your Games With Me)," Tony Iommi employs a variety of guitar techniques to achieve his signature sound. Here are the techniques used in this song:

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Slides
• Bluesy Bends
• Double Stops
• String Bending
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting

By mastering these techniques, you can capture the essence of Tony Iommi's playing in "Evil Woman" and bring a piece of rock history to life in your own performances.