Diary of a Madman by Ozzy Osbourne – Guitar Lesson

Experience one of the most haunting and technically captivating songs in the heavy metal genre with our note-for-note guitar lesson of “Diary of a Madman” by Ozzy Osbourne. This intense and dynamic track, the title piece from Ozzy’s 1981 album, showcases an array of advanced guitar techniques that challenge the player musically and technically. Our in-depth LickLibrary lesson breaks down every section with precision, helping you master essential skills such as arpeggios, power chords, alternate picking, and string bending.

From the classical-inspired acoustic intro to the full-throttle metal riffs and searing lead breaks, this is a must-learn for any guitarist serious about their craft. This lesson is taught by Danny Gill.

Technique Focus

Arpeggios

The intro and many transitional sections in Diary of a Madman feature beautifully crafted arpeggios, played with a classical approach on a steel-string acoustic. These note-by-note chordal passages demand precision and control, providing a contrast to the heavier electric sections.

Learning benefit: Practicing arpeggios develops fretboard knowledge, picking accuracy, and left-hand coordination. It also improves your ability to outline chord changes in a musical and expressive way.

Power Chords

When the full band kicks in, the track is driven by heavy, saturated power chords, forming the backbone of the song’s dark and brooding riff structure. These chord shapes are a staple in rock and metal, providing a strong, aggressive sound with harmonic clarity.

Learning benefit: Power chords help you build rhythm precision, muting control, and palm-muting dynamics—all essential for tight, punchy riffing.

Alternate Picking

Rhoads’ fast melodic runs and certain rhythm figures throughout the song require tight alternate picking. Alternating between downstrokes and upstrokes ensures fluid motion across both single-note lines and more complex melodic figures.

Learning benefit: Alternate picking improves picking hand efficiency, increases speed and clarity, and allows for more accurate phrasing, especially in rapid sequences.

String Bending

Even in a song as heavy and structured as this one, Rhoads brings in expressive string bending, particularly in his solo passages. His bends are deliberate, vocal, and emotive—often used to emphasize climactic moments within the phrasing.

Learning benefit: Mastering string bending improves pitch control and musical expression, helping you to inject emotional character into your solos and melodies.

Why Learn This Song?

Diary of a Madman is more than just a metal classic—it’s a technical and musical showcase that blends classical discipline with metal aggression. By learning this song note-for-note, you’re not only replicating an iconic performance but also developing core guitar techniques that are crucial for any serious player.

This lesson is especially valuable for intermediate to advanced guitarists looking to sharpen their picking, enhance their rhythm work, and learn how to combine clean and distorted textures effectively. It’s a challenging piece, but one that will push your playing forward dramatically.

Whether you’re a fan of Randy Rhoads, Ozzy Osbourne, or simply want to master one of the most musically rich tracks in metal history, this is the lesson to dive into.

About the Song and Randy Rhoads

“Diary of a Madman” was the final studio album to feature the legendary guitarist Randy Rhoads, whose influence on metal and rock guitar cannot be overstated. Fusing classical guitar discipline with heavy metal attitude, Rhoads brought sophistication, technical prowess, and innovation to Ozzy’s music.

His work on this track is a masterclass in dynamics, melody, and aggression. Rhoads' ability to weave arpeggiated acoustic textures into heavy electric passages became one of his trademarks, influencing a generation of guitarists including Zakk Wylde, Dimebag Darrell, and countless modern metal players.

What You’ll Learn in This Lesson

Our Diary of a Madman guitar lesson guides you through every section of the song—from the fingerpicked intro and layered clean guitars to the chugging riffs and fiery solo. It’s a rich study in arrangement and tone, as well as a deep dive into advanced rhythm and lead guitar work.

By the end of this lesson, you’ll have not only replicated Randy Rhoads’ iconic performance but also built the technique and control to apply these skills across your own playing.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Arpeggios
• Power Chords
• Alternate Picking
• String Bending

Unleash your inner madman and explore the full depth of your playing ability with this explosive and intricate LickLibrary guitar lesson.