"Suicide Solution" by Ozzy Osbourne: Guitar Lesson

If there was ever a piece that served as a masterclass in bluesy heavy metal riffage and expressive soloing, it's "Suicide Solution" by Ozzy Osbourne. Released in 1980 on Ozzy's debut solo album, "Blizzard of Ozz," this song stands out as a quintessential lesson in the stylings of the legendary lead guitarist, Randy Rhoads. Danny Gill breaks down this iconic song in this exclusive Lick Library lesson.

Chord Structure and Scales

The chord structure of the song mainly revolves around E, G, and A power chords, indicative of a classic rock and blues setup. There's a liberal use of E5, G5, and A5 power chords throughout the verses, creating a dark yet driving backdrop. The scales used are primarily the E minor pentatonic and E blues scales, giving the song that blend of grit and sorrow that defines blues-influenced heavy metal.

Guitar Solo Analysis

The solo in "Suicide Solution" is a masterpiece of emotional and technical guitar playing. Rhoads starts the solo with a fiery, ascending run based on the E minor pentatonic scale, immediately grabbing your attention. The phrasing here is remarkable, full of quick, articulate 16th-note patterns that break into sustained bends. He incorporates the use of arpeggios to add a more melodic layer over the minor pentatonic base, a technique he was fond of.

Randy also engages in double stop bends, providing a more expansive sound that still maintains its bluesy undertones. And let’s not forget the blistering tapped harmonics that Rhoads throws in to elevate the solo from exceptional to iconic. His use of the whammy bar for dive bombs adds a dramatic edge, creating tonal shifts that are as surprising as they are satisfying.

Randy Rhoads: The Man Behind the Strings

Randy Rhoads' impact on the heavy metal guitar world can't be overstated. Classically trained but deeply rooted in rock and blues, his approach brought a fresh virtuosity to the metal scene of the late '70s and early '80s. Rhoads had the ability to intertwine classical elements like arpeggios and harmonics seamlessly with his rock and blues background. It's evident in "Suicide Solution" that his techniques were ahead of his time; the way he blended scales and melodic ideas still stands as a testament to his genius.

Techniques Used in "Suicide Solution"

1. Vibrato
2. Alternate Picking
3. Legato
4. Tapped Harmonics
5. Double Stop Bends
6. Pinched Harmonics
7. Trills
8. Tremolo Picking
9. Chord Progressions
10. Arpeggios
11. Dive Bombs
12. Pull-offs
13. Power Chords
14. Palm Muting
15. Harmonics

In conclusion, "Suicide Solution" is more than just a heavy metal song; it’s a comprehensive lesson in guitar playing. Whether you're looking to understand chord structures, delve into complex solos, or study the nuances of a legendary guitarist like Randy Rhoads, this song has it all. It remains an enduring piece of the heavy metal canon, not just for its provocative themes and Ozzy’s haunting vocals, but for its groundbreaking guitar work that continues to inspire players to this day.