Dive into one of rock’s most recognizable and powerful riffs with this lesson on Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man.” It’s incredible how often this riff is played incorrectly, considering its legendary status. This guide focuses on the definitive version from Sabbath’s seminal second album, Paranoid, ensuring you learn to play it the right way. Forget the lesser re-recordings; we’re going straight to the source for an authentic experience.
To truly understand the nuances of this riff, let’s look at Tony Iommi himself discussing and demonstrating it. This insightful footage clarifies the long-debated technique he uses for the introduction’s signature bend.
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Interestingly, while Iommi explains the behind-the-nut bending technique, some older live footage from the 70s suggests a different approach. In these performances, he appears to bend the open E string by manipulating the tailpiece of his SG with his picking hand. While later live renditions definitely showcase the behind-the-nut bending, perhaps this is due to his shift away from SGs with floating tailpieces. The original recording method remains a fascinating point of guitar technique discussion, sparking curiosity among guitar enthusiasts.
Observe this live performance from a 1970s German TV show and analyze Iommi’s bending technique during the intro and outro licks.
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Now, let’s get down to playing. Below is the guitar tab for the main “Iron Man” riff, along with the subsequent riffs that comprise the song’s structure. Pay close attention to the verse, where Iommi subtly modifies the main riff, utilizing single notes in a lower register. While a full solo transcription is beyond the scope of this lesson, experienced guitarists should find it relatively straightforward to decipher by ear. The first solo primarily centers around the C Minor pentatonic scale in the 9th position, while the outro soloing incorporates the B minor pentatonic scale.
For a printable and detailed version of the tab, download the high-quality PDF here.
Download a high-quality PDF of the tab here.
Iron Man Guitar Tab Page 1: Learn the intro and main riff notation for Black Sabbath's iconic song, perfect for guitar players.
Iron Man Guitar Tab Page 2: Continue learning the verse and chorus sections with this detailed guitar notation for Black Sabbath's classic.
Mastering the “Iron Man” riff is a rite of passage for any rock guitarist. By understanding the nuances of Tony Iommi’s technique and utilizing these tabs, you’ll be well on your way to playing this iconic track with accuracy and power. Download the PDF tab and start practicing today!
