Fairies Wear Boots – Black Sabbath

Learn to Play “Fairies Wear Boots” by Black Sabbath Note-for-Note

Dive deep into one of the most iconic tracks in the heavy metal genre with Licklibrary’s Fairies Wear Boots guitar lesson. This detailed, note-for-note breakdown of the classic Black Sabbath track gives you the tools to master Tony Iommi’s signature style and the foundational guitar techniques that define the genre. With its blues-infused riffs, dynamic rhythm changes, and expressive lead playing, Fairies Wear Boots is both a celebration of early heavy metal and a must-learn for aspiring rock and metal guitarists.

Our lesson guides you through each section of the song, helping you build a solid grasp of timing, tone, technique, and musical expression. Whether you're a fan of Sabbath, looking to expand your repertoire, or want to refine essential rock guitar skills, this is the perfect lesson to challenge and grow your playing. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarist: Tony Iommi

Tony Iommi, Black Sabbath’s lead guitarist and founding member, is widely regarded as the godfather of heavy metal guitar. Despite losing the tips of two fingers in an industrial accident, Iommi developed a unique playing style that involved lower tunings and a thick, sludgy tone—pioneering the heavy metal sound. His inventive riffs, dark chord voicings, and blues-based solos have inspired generations of players. Iommi’s influence stretches far beyond Sabbath’s discography; his work laid the groundwork for countless sub-genres of metal and hard rock.

Breakdown of Techniques in “Fairies Wear Boots”

Riffs and Power Chords

The song kicks off with a hard-hitting riff built on classic power chords, showcasing the raw energy of Iommi’s rhythm playing. These sections are perfect for tightening up your timing and mastering that signature heavy, punchy tone. Learning power chords in a musical context helps players develop a better sense of chordal rhythm and stage-ready confidence.

Palm Muting

Throughout the main riffs, palm muting is used to create a percussive feel and dynamic contrast. This technique helps you control the tone and clarity of your playing, especially in distorted settings. It’s an essential skill for any rhythm guitarist in rock or metal.

Slides and Legato Runs

Lead lines in “Fairies Wear Boots” are peppered with expressive slides and smooth legato phrasing. These techniques bring fluidity to your solos and help develop fretboard awareness. Legato runs, in particular, train your fretting hand to move efficiently and melodically across the strings.

Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

Many of Iommi’s blues-inspired licks in this track incorporate classic hammer-ons and pull-offs. These fundamental techniques are key to building speed and fluidity in soloing. Practicing them sharpens finger strength and coordination.

String Bending and Vibrato

Tony’s soloing style leans heavily on string bending and expressive vibrato, giving his playing emotional weight and character. Mastering these techniques allows guitarists to inject personality into their solos and better emulate vocal phrasing.

Trills and Bluesy Bends

The solo also features fast trills and classic bluesy bends, both essential to blues-based rock guitar. These elements enhance phrasing and add excitement to lead parts. Trills improve finger independence and speed, while bluesy bends give your playing a vintage, soulful vibe.

Syncopated Rhythms

A key rhythmic feature of “Fairies Wear Boots” is its use of syncopated rhythms, especially during the riff transitions. This trains you to count more complex patterns and adds groove to your playing, helping you lock in better with drummers and rhythm sections.

Why Learn “Fairies Wear Boots”?

Learning “Fairies Wear Boots” offers guitarists more than just another song in their setlist. It's a comprehensive study in early metal riff writing, blues-rock lead phrasing, and the dynamic use of tone and rhythm. The track’s mix of chunky rhythm guitar, fluid lead work, and expressive playing make it an ideal piece to study for players looking to deepen their technique and understand the roots of heavy metal.

Playing along with this lesson will help:

• Improve your sense of timing and groove
• Strengthen your fretboard coordination
• Develop expressive soloing skills
• Explore authentic 70s metal tone and phrasing
• Understand how to structure riffs and solos within a song

With guidance from our expert tutors, you’ll not only learn the notes but understand the musical approach behind them.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Slides
• Legato
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• String Bending
• Vibrato
• Trills
• Bluesy Bends
• Syncopated Rhythms