Bark At The Moon (Riff) – Ozzy Osbourne

Master the Iconic Riff from "Bark At The Moon"

Ozzy Osbourne’s "Bark At The Moon" is one of the most legendary tracks in heavy metal history, featuring a high-energy riff that combines speed, precision, and aggressive articulation. The song, released in 1983 as the title track of Ozzy’s third solo album, showcases the incredible guitar work of Jake E. Lee. This lesson will take you through the key techniques used in the "Bark At The Moon" riff, breaking down each element to help you master the song while building essential guitar skills. Andy James breaks down this classic riff in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About Jake E. Lee and His Influence

The driving force behind the guitar work on "Bark At The Moon" is Jake E. Lee, a virtuoso known for his blend of technical ability and melodic phrasing. After taking over from Randy Rhoads, Lee brought a fresh, aggressive style to Ozzy’s music, combining intricate alternate picking, powerful string bending, and precise vibrato. His playing on this track heavily influenced later guitarists in the metal and hard rock genres, making him one of the defining players of the 1980s.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

Alternate Picking

This riff is built on alternate picking, a technique that improves picking accuracy, speed, and efficiency. Mastering this technique ensures you can maintain consistent timing and attack when playing fast passages. Learning alternate picking enhances your ability to execute rapid-fire riffs and intricate lead lines with precision.

Palm Muting

Throughout the riff, palm muting is used to create a percussive, chugging sound that adds weight and definition. This technique is crucial for giving riffs a tight, articulate feel, making them sound more aggressive and controlled. Developing solid palm muting skills is essential for playing metal and rock guitar with power and clarity.

Power Chords

The riff makes use of power chords, which are a staple of rock and metal music. These chords, consisting of the root and the fifth, provide a thick and punchy sound that is fundamental to creating high-energy riffs. Learning power chords will help you play countless rock and metal songs while strengthening your fretboard hand coordination.

String Bending

One of the defining features of Jake E. Lee’s playing is his expressive string bending. In this riff, bends add character and aggression to the melody. Proper bending technique is vital for achieving accurate pitch and expressive phrasing. Developing this skill will enhance your lead playing and allow you to inject more emotion into your solos.

Pinched Harmonics

Jake E. Lee frequently employs pinched harmonics, creating those signature squealing notes that cut through the mix. This technique involves striking the string with the pick and thumb simultaneously to produce harmonic overtones. Mastering pinched harmonics will add an explosive, high-gain bite to your playing.

Slides

To connect notes seamlessly, the riff includes slides, which enhance fluidity and add a smooth, legato quality to the phrasing. Slides are essential for transitioning between notes effortlessly, helping to develop your fretboard navigation and dynamic expression.

Unison Bends

The song also incorporates unison bends, where two notes are played simultaneously while bending one to match the other. This creates a rich, singing quality that is commonly used in classic rock and metal. Practicing unison bends strengthens finger control and intonation.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

Below is a list of techniques covered in this lesson. Click the links to explore each technique in more detail:

• Alternate Picking
• Palm Muting
• Power Chords
• String Bending
• Pinched Harmonics
• Slides
• Unison Bends

By learning these techniques through "Bark At The Moon", you'll build a strong foundation in rock and metal guitar playing. Whether you're a beginner looking to improve or an experienced player wanting to tighten your technique, this lesson will help you master the aggressive style that defines Ozzy Osbourne’s classic sound!