Bark at the Moon – Ozzy Osbourne

Learn to master the electrifying riffs, blazing solos, and signature guitar techniques of Ozzy Osbourne's Bark at the Moon with Licklibrary’s note-for-note guitar lesson. This track, famous for its rapid-fire lead lines and hard-hitting rhythms, is a staple for any rock guitarist looking to refine their skills. Our in-depth lesson will break down each section of the song while focusing on the crucial techniques that make Jake E. Lee’s playing so powerful and unique. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarist – Jake E. Lee’s Impact on Rock Guitar

Jake E. Lee, who took over guitar duties after the departure of Randy Rhoads, brought a fresh, aggressive, and melodic style to Ozzy Osbourne’s music. His playing on Bark at the Moon is a masterclass in precision, combining neo-classical influences with blues-infused hard rock. His use of fast alternate picking, dramatic vibrato, and intricate legato runs set a new standard for metal guitarists of the 1980s. Lee’s phrasing and unique approach to soloing continue to inspire modern guitarists across rock and metal genres.

Techniques Covered in the Lesson

Alternate Picking

A defining feature of Bark at the Moon is the rapid alternate-picked runs found in both the main riff and the solo. Alternate picking involves striking the string in a strict down-up motion, ensuring accuracy at high speeds. Mastering this technique will improve your overall picking efficiency, allowing for greater speed and clarity in your playing.

Legato Runs

Jake E. Lee’s lead lines are filled with legato phrases that use hammer-ons and pull-offs to create smooth, flowing melodies. Legato playing minimises picking effort, helping guitarists develop fluidity and speed while reducing hand fatigue.

Tapped Harmonics

Lee employs tapped harmonics to create eerie, bell-like tones in his solos. This technique involves lightly tapping the fretboard above the natural harmonics, producing a unique chime-like sound that can add color and expression to your lead playing.

Pinched Harmonics

Throughout Bark at the Moon, Lee uses pinched harmonics to add aggression to his tone. By striking the string with both the pick and the side of the thumb, players can create a high-pitched squeal, giving their notes a sharp and cutting edge.

Double-Stop Bends

The solo features expressive double-stop bends, where two strings are bent simultaneously to create harmonised tension. This technique adds richness to lead playing, giving solos a more vocal-like quality.

Unison Bends

Jake E. Lee frequently uses unison bends to add intensity to his licks. Unison bends involve bending one string up to match the pitch of an adjacent string, creating a powerful and dramatic sound.

Power Chords and Palm Muting

The main riff of Bark at the Moon relies heavily on power chords combined with palm-muted downstrokes to achieve its tight, aggressive rhythm. This combination is essential for rock and metal rhythm playing, helping to develop precision and dynamic control.

Tremolo Picking

Fast tremolo-picked passages appear throughout the song, particularly in the solo sections. Tremolo picking involves rapid picking of a single note, creating an intense and aggressive effect that enhances the energy of a lead passage.

Whammy Bar Tricks and Dive Bombs

Lee’s soloing often incorporates whammy bar tricks and dive bombs to add an expressive and wild element to his playing. These techniques allow guitarists to create dramatic pitch shifts, adding excitement and flair to solos.

Arpeggios and Sweep Picking

Jake E. Lee includes arpeggios in his solo sections, utilising sweep picking for smooth, fast note transitions. Mastering arpeggios helps improve fretboard knowledge and builds speed while maintaining clarity in lead playing.

List of Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Tapped Harmonics
• Pinched Harmonics
• Double-Stop Bends
• Unison Bends
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Tremolo Picking
• Whammy Bar Tricks
• Dive Bombs
• Arpeggios
• Sweep Picking

By mastering these techniques with Licklibrary’s detailed lesson, you'll develop a deeper understanding of Jake E. Lee’s playing style and significantly improve your overall guitar skills. Bark at the Moon is not just an iconic rock song—it’s a technical workout that challenges and refines your ability as a guitarist.