Paranoid by Black Sabbath

When it comes to heavy metal classics, few songs stand out like "Paranoid" by Black Sabbath. This iconic track, released in 1970, helped shape the sound of heavy metal and hard rock for generations to come. In this LickLibrary lesson, we take you through every note and technique used in "Paranoid," breaking down the song's powerful riffs, solos, and intricate details to help you master it just like Tony Iommi himself. Whether you’re an intermediate guitarist looking to expand your technique or a seasoned player wanting to sharpen your skills, this lesson will help you improve essential guitar techniques while exploring one of metal’s most influential songs. Danny Gill breaks down this iconic song in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarist: Tony Iommi

"Paranoid" features the legendary guitar work of Tony Iommi, Black Sabbath’s lead guitarist and primary riff architect. Known for his dark, heavy tone and innovative techniques, Iommi’s playing style has been a cornerstone in defining the metal genre. Despite having lost the tips of two of his fingers in an industrial accident, Iommi adapted his playing to use lighter strings and lower tunings, resulting in a distinctive sound that became synonymous with Black Sabbath. His influence on rock and metal guitarists cannot be overstated, and learning "Paranoid" is a great way to understand the genius behind Iommi’s riff-driven approach.

Breaking Down the Techniques in "Paranoid"

Power Chords

The iconic riff that drives "Paranoid" is built around power chords, a staple technique in rock and metal guitar playing. Power chords provide a thick, powerful sound with minimal harmonic complexity, making them perfect for heavy distortion. In this lesson, you'll learn how to execute power chords efficiently, with emphasis on clarity and precision, allowing you to nail the fast-paced energy of the song’s main riff.

Benefits: Mastering power chords strengthens your rhythm playing and improves your ability to move quickly between chord shapes, which is essential for playing fast-paced rock and metal songs.

Palm Muting

Palm muting plays a crucial role in adding percussive tightness to the rhythm parts in "Paranoid." By lightly resting the palm of your picking hand on the strings near the bridge, you can achieve the chugging sound that gives the riffs their driving intensity. This technique is especially effective in the song's verses, where the tight rhythm complements the song’s aggressive feel.

Benefits: Learning palm muting will enhance your rhythm control and give you the ability to create dynamic contrast within your playing, making your riffs sound tighter and more professional.

String Bending

The song’s solos and leads prominently feature string bending, a technique where the player bends a note to reach a higher pitch. In "Paranoid," Tony Iommi uses bends to add emotion and expressiveness to his solos, creating a soaring, melodic quality that cuts through the mix.

Benefits: Mastering string bending improves finger strength and pitch control, allowing you to add more expression to your solos and leads.

Vibrato

In the solo sections, vibrato is used extensively to add depth and sustain to the bent notes. Vibrato involves slightly bending a note up and down in a rhythmic manner, which gives the note a richer, more dynamic sound.

Benefits: Vibrato is a fundamental technique for adding personality to your playing. Learning to control your vibrato will help you improve sustain and give your notes more life and energy.

Alternate Picking

The fast, driving tempo of "Paranoid" relies heavily on alternate picking, where the player alternates between downstrokes and upstrokes to pick each note. This is especially important during the song’s faster passages and leads, helping to maintain speed and precision.

Benefits: Practicing alternate picking helps build speed, accuracy, and endurance in your picking hand, which is essential for playing fast rock and metal songs.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

The solo section also incorporates hammer-ons and pull-offs, two legato techniques that allow for smooth transitions between notes. In these parts, Iommi uses these techniques to create fluid lines that sound connected and expressive.

Benefits: Learning hammer-ons and pull-offs will improve your legato playing, making your solos sound more fluid and effortless.

Slides

Slides are another expressive technique found in "Paranoid," especially in transitions between different parts of the solo. By sliding between notes, Iommi creates a seamless connection between different sections of the song, adding to the overall fluidity of his playing.

Benefits: Slides help you move smoothly between notes and positions, making your playing sound more cohesive and professional.

Double-Stops

Throughout the song’s lead sections, Iommi employs double-stops, where two notes are played simultaneously. This technique adds a fuller sound to the leads and helps the solo stand out against the backdrop of the rhythm section.

Benefits: Learning double-stops enhances your ability to play harmonised leads and adds a layer of complexity to your soloing.

Conclusion

By learning to play "Paranoid" note for note, you’ll not only master one of the most iconic riffs in rock history, but also develop a wide range of essential guitar techniques. Each technique covered in this lesson—whether it's the power chords that drive the rhythm or the expressive bends in the solo—will add to your skill set and make you a more versatile player. Tony Iommi’s legendary style is packed with powerful yet accessible techniques, making "Paranoid" a great song for guitarists looking to develop their rock and metal chops.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

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