Shot In The Dark – Ozzy Osbourne

Take your playing to the next level with our in-depth note-for-note guitar lesson of "Shot In The Dark" by Ozzy Osbourne, a hard rock anthem that perfectly blends melodic hooks with powerful guitar-driven energy. At Licklibrary.com, we dive deep into every riff, lick, and solo to help you master this 1986 classic, offering detailed breakdowns and insights into the guitar techniques that define the song. Whether you're a budding intermediate player or a seasoned guitarist looking to enhance your skill set, this lesson offers invaluable practice in a wide range of techniques that will benefit your playing across multiple genres. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Song and Guitar Style

“Shot In The Dark” is one of Ozzy Osbourne’s most enduring solo tracks, released on the Ultimate Sin album. With a strong melodic sensibility and a polished production typical of mid-80s rock, the song balances catchy vocal lines with rich guitar textures and a memorable solo that blends feel and flash in equal measure. It's an excellent track to study if you're aiming to blend hard rock riffs with expressive lead playing.

The Guitarist Behind the Riffs

The guitar work on “Shot In The Dark” was performed by Jake E. Lee, one of Ozzy’s most underrated yet supremely skilled guitarists. Lee’s playing is a masterclass in melodic phrasing, vibrato control, and combining rhythm and lead fluency. Known for his work in both Ozzy's band and Badlands, Jake E. Lee’s influence is profound among players who value both technical skill and musicality. His use of dynamics and articulation makes him a unique figure in rock guitar, and studying his playing on this track offers a wealth of inspiration.

Lesson Breakdown – Techniques Covered

Power Chords and Palm Muting

The intro and verse sections are driven by tight, punchy power chords, often paired with precise palm-muting. Learning to combine these two techniques improves your rhythmic control and tightens up your right-hand discipline, a must for rock and metal styles.

Slides and Vibrato

Throughout the track, you’ll encounter melodic phrases enhanced by slides and tasteful vibrato. These techniques give your playing expression and nuance. Mastering them is essential to making your lead work feel vocal and emotional.

String Bending and Pre-Bends

The solo features extensive string bending and pre-bends, which require accurate pitch control and finger strength. These are crucial techniques for adding drama and flair to your solos.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

Legato phrases in the solo incorporate hammer-ons and pull-offs, helping you develop speed and smoothness in your playing. These are particularly beneficial for building fluid, connected lead lines.

Alternate Picking

Jake E. Lee’s rhythmic riffing and fast melodic runs are executed using alternate picking. This fundamental picking technique boosts your accuracy and speed, especially when navigating quick note changes and syncopated rhythms.

Unison and Double Stop Bends

You’ll also tackle expressive unison bends and double-stop bends. These are signature rock techniques that help give your solos a vocal, harmonised feel. Practicing them builds control, pitch accuracy, and adds emotional weight to your leads.

Trills and Tapped Harmonics

Some sections also incorporate trills and even tapped harmonics, pushing your finger independence and control. These techniques add sparkle and intensity to your phrasing.

Why You Should Learn This Song

“Shot In The Dark” is more than just a great tune—it's a masterclass in combining rhythm and lead guitar techniques seamlessly. Learning this track will improve your control, dexterity, articulation, and musical awareness. You'll gain real-world experience in applying essential techniques in a musical context, helping you sound more polished and professional. Whether you're performing live, recording, or just playing for fun, these skills are transferable and elevate your guitar game dramatically.

Guitar Techniques Used in this Lesson

• Power Chords
• Palm-Muting
• Slides
• Vibrato
• String Bending
• Pre-Bends
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Alternate Picking
• Unison Bends
• Double-Stop Bends
• Trills
• Tapped Harmonics

Unlock the power of classic 80s rock guitar and fine-tune your technique with this explosive lesson. Dive into "Shot In The Dark" today and let Licklibrary be your guide to mastering every note with clarity and confidence.