Flying High Again by Ozzy Osbourne – Guitar Lesson

Take your guitar skills to soaring new heights with our note-for-note guitar lesson of “Flying High Again” by Ozzy Osbourne. Released in 1981 on the Diary of a Madman album, this track is a hard rock anthem loaded with powerful riffs, melodic solos, and one of Randy Rhoads’ most iconic performances. The song strikes a balance between technical flair and raw energy, making it a must-learn for any guitarist looking to sharpen their rhythm and lead skills.

Our LickLibrary guitar lesson covers every detail of the song, focusing on key techniques including power chords, string bending, pull-offs, and vibrato. You’ll not only learn how to play each part with precision but also gain a deeper understanding of how these techniques combine to create one of the most beloved riffs and solos in Ozzy’s catalogue. This lesson is taught by Danny Gill.

Technique Focus

Power Chords

The song’s opening riff and chorus are built on thick, driving power chords that give the track its heavy foundation. These chords are executed with tight rhythmic precision, giving the riff its punchy, anthemic feel.

Learning benefit: Mastering power chords strengthens your rhythm playing and muting control. It teaches you to play with more impact and clarity, especially under high-gain tones.

String Bending

Rhoads’ solos are filled with expressive string bends, many of which mimic vocal phrasing to create soaring melodic peaks. These bends are executed with precision and emotion, helping the solo stand out as one of the most memorable in Ozzy’s discography.

Learning benefit: Practicing string bending improves your pitch accuracy and expressive control. It’s essential for making your lead lines feel vocal and emotional.

Pull-Offs

Pull-offs are used throughout the solo and fill phrases to create fluid, legato-style runs. These help maintain momentum in faster passages and allow for seamless transitions between notes without the need for constant picking.

Learning benefit: Working on pull-offs develops finger independence and speed, making your lead playing smoother and more efficient.

Vibrato

Rhoads’ vibrato technique is another key element of his expressive style. In Flying High Again, vibrato is used to add character to sustained notes, especially during the solo, giving them more emotion and sustain.

Learning benefit: Developing vibrato enhances your tone, helps notes sing out more clearly, and makes your solos sound more polished and professional.

Why Learn This Song?

Flying High Again is the perfect blend of rhythm and lead guitar mastery. It offers players a comprehensive workout in tone, timing, articulation, and phrasing. Every section of the song provides an opportunity to strengthen essential rock guitar techniques while learning from one of the most respected guitarists in the genre.

Learning this song gives you more than just another track under your fingers—it’s an invitation to understand how to craft great rock guitar parts that connect with listeners. Whether you’re gigging, recording, or just playing for fun, the skills developed through this lesson will carry over into every aspect of your playing.

About the Song and Randy Rhoads

“Flying High Again” is one of the most energetic and instantly recognizable tracks from Diary of a Madman, and it perfectly captures Randy Rhoads’ signature style. Rhoads was a trailblazing guitarist who brought classical sensibilities and exceptional technique to the world of heavy metal. His guitar work on this track ranges from hard-hitting, hook-laden riffs to tastefully crafted lead lines that blend melody with power.

Rhoads’ influence on rock and metal guitar is immeasurable. His innovations in phrasing, tone, and technique continue to inspire players such as Zakk Wylde, Paul Gilbert, and Nuno Bettencourt. By studying Flying High Again, guitarists can tap into the foundation of modern metal guitar and gain a real-world application of essential rock techniques.

What You’ll Learn in This Lesson

Our lesson breaks down Flying High Again section by section, including the main riffs, the explosive chorus, and the expressive solo. You’ll also learn how to lock in with the rhythm, execute fast pull-offs and bends cleanly, and add vibrato to make your phrases sing.

Perfect for intermediate to advanced players, this lesson is ideal for anyone looking to combine aggressive rhythm playing with expressive, melodic lead guitar work.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Power Chords
• String Bending
• Pull-Offs
• Vibrato

Master Flying High Again with this complete LickLibrary lesson and unlock the tools to bring Randy Rhoads’ high-flying style into your own guitar playing.