"No Bone Movies" by Ozzy Osbourne: Guitar Lesson

"No Bone Movies" is a remarkable piece by Ozzy Osbourne from his seminal 1980 album "Blizzard of Ozz." This tune, perhaps less famous than "Crazy Train" or "Mr. Crowley," deserves its place in the guitar pantheon due to its distinctive character and musicianship. As Danny Gill dives deep into this piece, the focus will be on the guitar work, particularly the role of Randy Rhoads, the lead guitarist who turned heads and redefined heavy metal guitar playing.

Chord Progressions

The song is primarily built around power chords, which gives it that hard-rock vibe. The verses follow a simple but effective I-IV-V progression, often opting for the classic A5-D5-E5 chords. The chorus features a mix of A5, G5, and E5, creating a catchy loop that sticks to your ears. A bridge adds more chordal variety, with a sequence that dives into a combination of both major and minor barre chords.

Scales

The song leans on the blues pentatonic scale for the most part, but Randy doesn't hesitate to spice things up with some diatonic and harmonic minor scales in his solos and fills. The harmonic minor scale, in particular, gives that "exotic" sound which adds a unique colour to the song.

Guitar Solo Analysis

Randy Rhoads' solo in "No Bone Movies" is a short but sweet affair, full of nuances that capture his style. He kicks off the solo with a series of descending alternate picked notes, outlining the pentatonic scale. Soon after, he employs legato techniques for smoother, more fluid phrases. Just when you think you've got him figured out, he hits you with some tapped harmonics to add a unique tonal colour. And yes, a few double-stop bends make their appearance, adding that bluesy grit to the mix.

Lead Guitarist: Randy Rhoads

Randy Rhoads was a revolutionary guitarist whose blend of classical influences with hard rock made him a force to be reckoned with. What's most impressive in "No Bone Movies" is how he integrates these different styles without making it sound forced. He uses arpeggios to outline chords, lending a neo-classical touch to the overall rock framework. His alternate picking is clean and precise, and his legato lines are as smooth as silk. Rhoads was a master of harmonics, not just the natural ones, but also the artificial or "pinched" harmonics, giving him a wide palette of tones to play with.

Techniques Used

In "No Bone Movies," the guitarist employs a gamut of techniques that any budding guitarist would benefit from learning. Here's a breakdown:

1. Vibrato
2. Alternate Picking
3. Legato
4. Tapped Harmonics
5. Double-Stop Bends
6. Power Chords
7. Barre Chords
8. Arpeggios
9. Chord Progressions
10. Harmonics
11. Hammer-Ons

While "No Bone Movies" may not be the most complex of Rhoads' work with Ozzy, it's a quintessential song that captures the essence of Randy's unique style. It serves as an excellent study piece to explore his approach to melding rock, blues, and classical elements into a cohesive and electrifying package.