Tony Iommi’s guitar solo in Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid” is a rite of passage for any aspiring rock guitarist. Here in Vancouver, it’s a solo I frequently introduce to my guitar students. Why? Because it’s brilliantly constructed using primarily two accessible E minor pentatonic scale shapes, making it an excellent study piece for intermediate guitar lessons. The solo’s structure allows students to grasp solo construction without being overwhelmed by complex theory, offering a direct path to understanding and playing a classic rock solo.
While the original recording blazes at around 163 beats per minute, don’t let the tempo intimidate you. The true value of learning this solo lies in dissecting Iommi’s phrasing and pentatonic mastery, not necessarily nailing it at full speed immediately. Focus on accuracy and feel first, speed will follow.
To help my students gradually build up to tempo, I’ve created a tempo-graduated jam track. This practice tool progressively increases the speed, starting at a manageable 135 BPM and incrementally reaching the original 163 BPM. For those who prefer visual learning, a comprehensive video lesson is also available, guiding you step-by-step through the solo.
You can access the complete guitar tab for “Paranoid” via the download link provided at the end of this article. Remember, mastering this solo is a journey. Begin slowly, internalize the notes, and gradually increase your pace. Even practicing at a slower tempo like 135 BPM offers significant learning benefits.
Exploring the Pentatonic Shapes in “Paranoid”
As mentioned, the “Paranoid” solo is predominantly built from two minor pentatonic shapes in E. The solo commences in the 7th position E minor pentatonic shape. Iommi starts with a powerful bend on the root note (E) and expertly navigates within this shape before smoothly sliding down two frets to the adjacent pentatonic pattern.
Around bar five, the solo ascends back into the initial 7th position shape, demonstrating a classic pentatonic movement within the solo.
By bar eight, Iommi transitions into what’s often considered the “standard” E minor pentatonic shape in the 12th position. This is frequently the first pentatonic shape guitarists learn, making it instantly familiar and accessible.
The solo does contain some rapid passages, emphasizing the importance of starting slowly. Your initial focus should be on learning the correct notes and then mastering the rhythm. Internalize the rhythm – don’t guess or approximate. Once you can clearly “hear” the rhythm of a lick in your mind, playing it becomes significantly easier; you’re essentially playing along to the internal soundtrack in your head.
Download the complete “Paranoid” guitar solo tab in PDF format [here] (link to PDF tab). Alternatively, you can view the tab directly below. To further refine your timing and tempo, practice along with the YouTube video lesson. Learning this solo is a rewarding endeavor for any guitarist looking to delve into classic rock and improve their pentatonic vocabulary.
