Learn to Play "Rat Salad" by Black Sabbath
Explore the raw, high-octane guitar work of Tony Iommi with LickLibrary’s in-depth lesson on “Rat Salad” by Black Sabbath. This instrumental track from their seminal 1970 album Paranoid showcases not only the power and precision of Iommi’s playing but also highlights many of the foundational techniques every rock and metal guitarist should master. Our note-for-note breakdown dives deep into the mechanics of this riff-driven classic, giving you the skills and insights to replicate its energy and nuance. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.
About the Song & the Guitarist
“Rat Salad” stands as one of the most riff-packed and rhythmically dynamic instrumental tracks in Black Sabbath’s early catalogue. While often overshadowed by the band's more radio-friendly hits, it’s a brilliant example of how much can be said with guitar and drums alone.
The guitar work is delivered by Tony Iommi, one of the most influential guitarists in rock and heavy metal history. Known for his dark riffs, unorthodox technique (due in part to a factory accident that led him to create custom finger prosthetics), and pioneering use of down-tuned guitars, Iommi’s playing helped define the sonic blueprint of heavy metal. His phrasing, tone, and rhythmic sense in “Rat Salad” show his ability to blend blues roots with heavy rock aggression—making him a guitarist every serious player should study.
Guitar Techniques Featured in This Lesson
Our lesson on “Rat Salad” focuses on several essential guitar techniques that will not only allow you to play this song accurately but also improve your overall playing fluency and expression. Here are the key techniques covered:
Alternate Picking
Iommi’s rapid-fire riffs are built on alternate picking, a fundamental technique for playing fast passages cleanly and efficiently. Mastering alternate picking improves your speed, accuracy, and rhythmic consistency across strings.
String Bending
One of the expressive tools Iommi uses in this track is string bending. This technique adds vocal-like phrasing and emotional nuance to solos and riffs. Learning to control bends will enhance your ability to convey emotion through your playing.
Hammer-ons and Pull-offs
The lesson also explores hammer-ons and pull-offs—essential legato techniques used to create fluid, connected note runs. These techniques increase speed and give your phrasing a smoother, more natural sound.
Slides
Slides are a subtle yet powerful technique in “Rat Salad.” They create seamless transitions between notes and add a bluesy, expressive flavour to your playing. Slides also help build finger strength and accuracy across the fretboard.
Vibrato
Iommi’s use of vibrato gives sustained notes a rich, vocal quality. Mastering vibrato helps you bring more life and personality to your solos by making notes sing, rather than simply sound.
Palm Muting
To give the riff work its heavy, punchy rhythm, the lesson covers palm muting. This technique involves resting the picking hand on the strings near the bridge to mute them slightly, creating a percussive, chugging tone. It’s a cornerstone of metal rhythm guitar.
Trills
You’ll also learn trills—a rapid alternation between two notes using hammer-ons and pull-offs. Trills are excellent for building finger independence and speed, while also adding a dynamic flair to your solos.
Why Learning “Rat Salad” Is Great for Guitarists
Working through this lesson offers a well-rounded development path for both rhythm and lead guitar skills. You'll build speed and timing with alternate picking, increase your control and expression with vibrato and bends, and gain fluency in legato playing through hammer-ons, pull-offs, and trills. Because “Rat Salad” is an instrumental, the guitar takes centre stage, giving you the perfect platform to focus solely on your technique and musical interpretation.
Moreover, this lesson offers insights into how one of rock's most iconic guitarists constructed riffs and solos that are both technically compelling and musically satisfying. Whether you're aiming to improve your lead chops or sharpen your rhythm playing, “Rat Salad” provides a powerful workout.
Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson
About The Tutor
Tutor Profile
Danny Gill
Danny Gill is, without a doubt, the most loved tutor by our community. With an incredible array of DVDs and web lessons for LickLibrary covering a wide variety of topics all of which he covers with incredible detail, it's no wonder he carries as much respect as he does. As...