Sabbath Bloody Sabbath

Learn to master the iconic riffs and solos of Black Sabbath's "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" with our note-for-note guitar lesson. This track, known for its groundbreaking fusion of heavy metal and progressive rock, presents a challenging yet rewarding journey for guitar players looking to advance their skills. In this detailed guitar lesson, we break down the song's key techniques, helping you understand and apply these skills in your playing. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

The Guitar Genius Behind Sabbath Bloody Sabbath

The guitar work on “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” was crafted by the legendary Tony Iommi, the founding guitarist of Black Sabbath. Known for his innovative style and powerful riffs, Iommi is widely considered one of the most influential guitarists in rock and metal history. His use of heavy power chords, dark riffing, and melodic solos helped define the sound of heavy metal. Iommi’s mastery over his instrument shines through in this track, pushing the boundaries of traditional rock with its intricate rhythms, aggressive leads, and innovative techniques. Learning this song not only gives you a chance to dive deep into Iommi's genius but also provides a solid foundation in metal guitar techniques.

Main Techniques Explored in Sabbath Bloody Sabbath

Power Chords

Power chords are a key element throughout "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath," especially in the main riff. These chords, typically consisting of just two or three notes, offer a punchy, tight sound that is ideal for creating a heavy, aggressive rhythm. Mastering power chords allows you to play with the strong, foundational sound that drives much of hard rock and metal music. They are versatile and easy to move around the fretboard, making them essential for any guitarist.

Palm Muting

Palm muting is used to add a rhythmic, percussive quality to the power chords and riffs in the song. By lightly resting your palm on the strings near the bridge, you create a choked, muted sound that brings out the raw power of Iommi's riffing. Learning palm muting helps you control the dynamic range of your playing, creating tight, punchy rhythms that are integral to the metal genre.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

The solo section of "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" is filled with smooth, fluid hammer-ons and pull-offs, giving the lead lines a flowing, legato sound. These techniques allow you to play faster licks and transitions between notes with ease, improving your speed and articulation. Incorporating hammer-ons and pull-offs into your playing will enhance your ability to play more intricate and expressive solos.

Alternate Picking

Alternate picking, the technique of alternating between downstrokes and upstrokes, is essential in playing many of the fast riffs in this song. It helps in maintaining speed and consistency, especially in the faster sections of the song. By mastering alternate picking, you'll improve your speed and precision, making it easier to tackle fast-paced solos and complex rhythms.

Vibrato

Vibrato, the subtle bending of notes to add expression and sustain, plays a key role in Tony Iommi’s soloing style. Vibrato adds a dynamic, singing quality to sustained notes, making them more expressive and impactful. Practicing vibrato will enhance your lead guitar playing, giving your solos more depth and emotional resonance.

Slides

Slides are prominent in both the riffs and solo sections of "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath." This technique involves moving smoothly between two notes, adding a seamless, connected sound to your playing. Slides are a great way to transition between notes without the abruptness of picking, allowing for a more fluid and melodic style.

String Bending

Bending strings to reach a desired pitch is a key component of Iommi’s lead playing in this track. String bending adds emotion to solos and allows you to hit notes outside of a typical fret position. It’s a vital technique for any rock or metal guitarist looking to add character and feel to their lead playing.

Chord Progressions

"Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" also features some complex chord progressions that give the song its unique, dark atmosphere. Learning these progressions will improve your understanding of harmony and give you a broader musical vocabulary, enabling you to write and play more interesting and varied chord sequences.

Arpeggios

Arpeggios, or broken chords, appear in certain sections of the song, allowing the listener to hear each note of a chord played individually. This technique adds texture and complexity to the music, and learning it will help you break away from traditional strumming patterns, giving your playing a more sophisticated, classical feel.

Harmonics

Harmonics are used to create ringing, bell-like tones in the intro and bridge sections of the song. Mastering harmonics allows you to add ethereal, shimmering tones to your playing, expanding your sonic palette.

Guitar Techniques Used in the Sabbath Bloody Sabbath Lesson

Below is a list of the guitar techniques used in our "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" lesson:

• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Alternate Picking
• Vibrato
• Slides
• String Bending
• Chord Progressions
• Arpeggios
• Harmonics

Learning these techniques through our lesson on "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" will give you the tools you need to enhance your guitar playing and help you capture the power and creativity of Tony Iommi’s groundbreaking style. Whether you're an aspiring metal guitarist or simply a fan of classic rock, mastering these techniques will take your playing to the next level.