Classic Albums - Blizzard Of Ozz

"Blizzard of Ozz" Guitar Analysis

A true piece of rock and metal history, 1980 album Blizzard Of Ozz brought Ozzy Osbourne back from the brink of obscurity, creating the metal icon we know today. As the first of two releases to feature the late legend Randy Rhoads, Blizzard Of Ozz is also a body of work from a true guitar genius.

Having spawned the singles Crazy Train and Mr. Crowley, Blizzard Of Ozz has become one of the most iconic and pivotal hard rock albums of all time. Ozzy assembled a spectacular band for this record, and the spotlight was indeed shared with his young and talented lead guitarist, Randy Rhoads. Randy's neoclassical style, combining classical music influences with hard rock, has left an indelible mark on the world of rock guitar. His stellar performances on this album set a high bar for future rock guitarists.

Join world class guitar tutor and true Ozzy fan, Danny Gill for this incredible guitar course, covering the Randy Rhoads guitar parts from the album which changed the world, including: I Don’t Know, Steal Away (The Night) and the timeless Mr. Crowley.

Guitar Lessons Included

Guitar Lesson 1: "I Don't Know"

This track sets the tone for the album, with its aggressive opening riff played in F# minor scale. The bridge section is a clean arpeggiated part, adding an interesting contrast to the main riff. Rhoads' guitar solo in this song is complex, exploring various scales like F# minor pentatonic and F# harmonic minor. The heavy use of pinch harmonics and vibrato accentuates Randy's unique playing style.

Guitar Lesson 2: "Crazy Train"

Perhaps the most recognizable track on the album, "Crazy Train" is a testament to Rhoads' mastery of riff-making. The main riff is a simple yet catchy F# minor pattern. The pre-chorus contains power chords played with palm muting to create a driving rhythm. Rhoads' solo combines elements of F# minor and Dorian scales, highlighted by alternate picking, trills, and vibrato.

Guitar Lesson 3: "Goodbye to Romance"

This ballad showcases another side of Rhoads' playing. The main progression uses arpeggiated chords over a clean guitar tone. The solo is a beautifully crafted melody using the A major scale, with a heavy dose of sustain to provide a smooth, flowing feel.

Guitar Lesson 4: "Dee"

This is a brief acoustic piece dedicated to Randy's mother, Delores Rhoads. It's composed mostly in the key of D major, featuring finger-picking and showcasing Randy's classical guitar influence.

Guitar Lesson 5: "Suicide Solution"

This song has a hard-hitting main riff in E minor. The use of open string riffs and palm-muted power chords creates a thick and heavy rhythm. The solo is quite bluesy, employing E minor pentatonic scale with various techniques such as double-stop bends and string bending.

Guitar Lesson 6: "Mr. Crowley"

"Mr. Crowley" is notable for its eerie, haunting vibe. The main riff is a simple progression in D# minor. The highlight of the song is the extended solo section, filled with intricate phrases using D# minor and D# harmonic minor scales. Techniques such as arpeggios, hammer-ons, pull-offs, and legato are abundantly used.

Guitar Lesson 7: "No Bone Movies"

A unique track in the album, it features a fun, bluesy main riff in A major. The solo is a tasteful blend of A major pentatonic and A blues scales, with lots of vibrato and string bends.

Guitar Lesson 8: "Revelation (Mother Earth)"

This song is a perfect example of Rhoads' ability to mix heavy rock with classical influences. The intro uses arpeggiated chords in C minor. The outro solo is an epic piece of music, with a lot of fast alternate picking, sweeps, and two-handed tapping.

Guitar Lesson 9: "Steal Away (The Night)"

The album concludes with a straightforward hard rock track. The main riff uses E minor pentatonic scale. The solo is a classic Rhoads performance, featuring E minor and E Dorian scales, loaded with hammer-ons, pull-offs, and double-stops.

Guitar Techniques Used

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Double-Stop Bends
• Pinched Harmonics
• Trills
• Chord Progressions
• Arpeggios
• Harmonics
• Pull-Offs
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Two-Handed Tapping
• Sweep Picking
• Sustain
• String Bending
• Open-String Riffs
• Hammer-Ons
• Double-Stops
• Finger-Picking

With "Blizzard of Ozz", Ozzy Osbourne and Randy Rhoads created a masterpiece, which to this day remains a source of inspiration for countless guitar players.

NB: PERFORMANCE FOOTAGE NOT INCLUDED WITH THIS COURSE

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