Little Dolls by Ozzy Osbourne – Guitar Lesson

Step into the dark, riff-driven world of early ‘80s metal with our note-for-note guitar lesson of “Little Dolls” by Ozzy Osbourne. Taken from the iconic Diary of a Madman album, this track is a powerhouse of heavy grooves, haunting melodies, and searing solos—an essential study for any guitarist looking to blend precision with power. In this LickLibrary lesson, you’ll learn every part of the song in meticulous detail, unlocking key techniques such as power chords, hammer-ons, palm muting, and vibrato.

From thunderous rhythm parts to expressive lead lines, “Little Dolls” captures everything great about Randy Rhoads’ playing—making it a brilliant addition to your repertoire and a fantastic vehicle for strengthening your rock and metal chops. This lesson is taught by Danny Gill.

Technique Focus

Power Chords

Power chords are the bedrock of the song’s crushing rhythm parts. Rhoads uses them to build a dark, heavy groove throughout the verse and chorus sections, locking in tightly with the bass and drums to create the track’s menacing drive.

Learning benefit: Mastering power chords improves your rhythm precision and stamina. It also teaches you how to mute effectively and articulate aggressive riffs with clarity and punch—vital skills for rock and metal players.

Hammer-Ons

Rhoads adds flair and fluidity to his lead lines using hammer-ons, particularly in fast ascending phrases and melodic embellishments. These techniques allow for faster note transitions while keeping the picking hand relaxed.

Learning benefit: Practicing hammer-ons builds finger strength, control, and speed. It also helps develop a more fluid and legato approach to lead guitar playing, making your solos sound smoother and more connected.

Palm Muting

One of the core rhythm techniques in Little Dolls is palm muting. Rhoads uses it to add percussive punch and dynamic range to the verses and transitions, allowing for tight and controlled metal riffing.

Learning benefit: Developing palm muting enhances your rhythmic accuracy, helps you control note clarity under distortion, and adds expressive contrast to your rhythm playing.

Vibrato

In the solo and melodic phrases, Rhoads employs wide and expressive vibrato to sustain notes and elevate their emotional intensity. His vibrato technique is controlled and vocal-like, delivering tension and release with finesse.

Learning benefit: Improving your vibrato deepens your expressiveness as a guitarist. It gives your playing more personality, sustain, and emotion—essential qualities for memorable lead guitar work.

Why Learn This Song?

Little Dolls is a prime example of how musical storytelling, tight riffing, and emotional lead playing can come together in a single track. By mastering this song, you’ll refine a wide range of core rock and metal guitar techniques, while gaining insight into the style and approach of one of the most respected players in metal history.

Whether you're aiming to tighten up your rhythm chops or push your lead playing to a more expressive level, this lesson provides a structured, challenging, and rewarding learning experience.

About the Song and Randy Rhoads

Little Dolls features the unmistakable playing of Randy Rhoads, one of the most innovative and influential guitarists in rock and metal history. On the Diary of a Madman album, Rhoads fused classical-influenced phrasing with hard-hitting metal riffs, pushing the boundaries of what a rock guitarist could do.

In this track, Rhoads lays down ominous, chugging rhythm guitars and intricate lead work, demonstrating his command of both tone and technique. His playing influenced generations of guitarists, from Zakk Wylde and Dimebag Darrell to John Petrucci and Steve Vai. Learning Little Dolls provides a window into the unique musical mind of one of the genre’s true pioneers.

What You’ll Learn in This Lesson

Our in-depth lesson takes you through each section of Little Dolls with precision—covering the main riffs, pre-chorus transitions, and every detail of the ripping solo. Whether you’re working on rhythm tightness or exploring expressive phrasing, this lesson provides the foundation to grow as a confident and creative guitarist.

Ideal for intermediate and advanced players, the song helps you develop better control, coordination, and tone across a range of classic metal guitar techniques.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Power Chords
• Hammer-Ons
• Palm Muting
• Vibrato

Learn Little Dolls note for note with LickLibrary and channel the power, precision, and emotion of Randy Rhoads in every riff and solo.