"Lonely is the Word" by Black Sabbath: Guitar Lesson

Song Overview

"Lonely is the Word" is a lesser-known gem by the legendary Black Sabbath, coming off their 1980 album, "Heaven and Hell." The guitarist, Tony Iommi, showcases an amalgamation of powerful riffs, moving chord progressions, and a guitar solo that remains highly emotional yet technical. Danny Gill digs into this piece, dissecting its core components to understand what makes it a must-study track for guitarists of all levels.

Chord Progressions

The song is mostly in A Minor, which lends itself well to the bluesy and sorrowful mood. The verse predominantly uses the chords of A minor, G, and F. There's a wonderful tension built through these progressions, creating an open canvas for the vocals and allowing the guitar work to weave intricate details.

Scales

Tony Iommi relies heavily on the A Minor Pentatonic scale but frequently adds notes from the A Natural Minor and A Dorian scales for flavour. These extra tones—often the major 6th from the Dorian or the 2nd from Natural Minor—add a different colour to the pentatonic foundation. The blues scale also makes an appearance, especially in the solo sections.

Guitar Solo Analysis

The solo of "Lonely is the Word" is a masterclass in emotional storytelling. Iommi starts off slow, sticking close to the A Minor Pentatonic, almost crying out the initial notes. As the solo progresses, it picks up steam. The use of hammer-ons and pull-offs lends a fluid, legato quality to the solo, making it feel like a seamless line of thought. What's most striking is how the solo moves through different regions of the fretboard. It starts in the root position but swiftly shifts to higher octaves, using slides and position changes to create a sense of ascent.

Iommi employs a range of bending techniques—from slow bends that are just a half-step, to more aggressive full-step bends. These bends, often followed by a vibrato, give an emotive quality to the solo, as if he's making the guitar weep.

Tony Iommi's Contribution

Tony Iommi is often considered one of the pioneers of heavy metal guitar. His playing on this track exemplifies his diverse range—incorporating blues, rock, and classical elements. While it may lack the insane speed of modern shredders, Iommi's solo in "Lonely is the Word" is dense in emotional and technical depth. His use of multiple scales, combined with an eclectic selection of guitar techniques, contributes to the song's emotional impact. It's no mere showcase of technical prowess but a poignant expression of the song's theme of isolation and longing.

Techniques Used in "Lonely is the Word"

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Slides
• String Bending
• Sustain
• Chord Progressions

This comprehensive list of techniques makes "Lonely is the Word" a perfect study piece for intermediate and advanced players. For those who appreciate the expressive power of guitar, it serves as an enduring example of how a master craftsman like Tony Iommi can make a stringed piece of wood sing, cry, and articulate the deepest corners of human emotion.