Hole in the Sky – Black Sabbath

Hole in the Sky by Black Sabbath is a prime example of the powerful, riff-driven hard rock that shaped heavy metal history. Featuring the iconic guitar work of Tony Iommi, this track delivers crushing riffs, searing solos, and a masterclass in essential rock and metal techniques. In this note-for-note guitar lesson from Licklibrary.com, you’ll learn how to play the entire song with precision while focusing on key techniques that will elevate your playing.

Below, we’ll break down the core techniques used in the song, describe their benefits, and explain how mastering these elements can improve your playing beyond this single song. Richard Shaw breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

The Power of Tony Iommi’s Guitar Work

Tony Iommi is one of the most influential guitarists in rock and metal history. Known for his innovative use of riffs, unique phrasing, and his ability to combine melody with brute force, Iommi’s playing style set the foundation for heavy metal as a genre. His signature sound blends thick power chords, blues-inspired solos, and dark, heavy tones—all of which are prominently featured in "Hole in the Sky."

Despite the challenges presented by his partial loss of fingertips, Iommi adapted his technique to create new ways of playing, inspiring generations of guitarists. His emphasis on inventive riff creation and fluid lead work makes him a perfect guitarist to study for anyone interested in rock or metal guitar.

Song Breakdown and Techniques

Opening Riff – Syncopated Power Chords and Palm Muting

The song kicks off with a powerful, syncopated riff built on power chords and palm muting. This combination creates a driving, percussive rhythm that locks in with the bass and drums for maximum impact.

Benefits: Learning this section will improve your ability to create tight, rhythmically interesting riffs and enhance your palm-muting precision.

Main Riff – Alternate Picking and String Bending

The main riff showcases alternate picking combined with tasteful string bending, adding a bluesy touch to the hard rock vibe. This is a great opportunity to refine your picking hand accuracy while working on expressive note control.

Benefits: Mastering alternate picking will improve your picking speed and accuracy, while working on string bending enhances your musical expression and intonation.

Verse Section – Slides and Double Stops

In the verse, slides and double stops bring a raw, gritty texture to the riff. These techniques are essential for creating fluid transitions between chords and adding depth to your rhythm playing.

Benefits: Practicing slides improves your fretboard navigation, while double stops expand your rhythmic and harmonic vocabulary.

Solo – Vibrato, Hammer-Ons, and Pull-Offs

The solo in "Hole in the Sky" is packed with expressive vibrato, smooth hammer-ons, and pull-offs. Tony Iommi’s lead style blends fast runs with soulful phrasing, making it both challenging and rewarding to learn.

Benefits: Incorporating vibrato into your playing adds emotion and sustain to your notes, while hammer-ons and pull-offs help develop your legato technique for fluid, connected phrases.

Outro – Galloping Rhythms and Pick Slides

The outro riff uses galloping rhythms, giving the song a sense of relentless energy and drive. Adding in some dramatic pick slides, this section leaves a lasting impression on listeners.

Benefits: Working on galloping rhythms will greatly enhance your timing and rhythmic stamina, while pick slides are a fun way to add a touch of flair to your playing.

Why Learn "Hole in the Sky"?

Learning "Hole in the Sky" is an opportunity to dive deep into essential rock and metal techniques while studying the style of a guitar legend. Each section of the song is designed to challenge and improve different aspects of your playing, from rhythm precision and alternate picking to expressive lead phrasing. By the time you’ve mastered this track, your overall technique and confidence will have grown significantly.

Key Techniques Used in "Hole in the Sky"

Here’s a list of the key guitar techniques covered in this lesson. Click on each link to explore more about the technique:

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Slides
• Double Stops
• String Bending
• Pick Slides
• Galloping Rhythms

If you’re ready to take your guitar playing to the next level, this lesson on Hole in the Sky will give you all the tools you need to rock with confidence and style!