Ozzy Osbourne - Flying High Again - Main Riff

About "Flying High Again" by Ozzy Osbourne

Ozzy Osbourne’s classic track "Flying High Again" from the iconic 1981 album "Diary of a Madman" is an essential lesson for guitarists eager to master hard rock guitar techniques. Noted for its driving riff and expressive guitar solo, this song epitomises the creativity and technical prowess synonymous with the early heavy metal genre. At LickLibrary, we break down the main riff and provide a focused guitar lesson, delving deeply into the precise playing methods used in the solo, helping you refine your guitar skills step-by-step. Danny Gill breaks down this classic riff in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Guitar Techniques Explored in "Flying High Again"

Vibrato

Vibrato is a pivotal technique prominently featured in the solo of "Flying High Again," giving notes their distinctive, expressive sound. Learning vibrato not only enhances your emotional playing but also develops greater finger strength and precision, elevating your overall technique and control.

String Bending

The solo extensively utilises string bending, a technique that allows guitarists to add character and emotional intensity to their solos. Mastering bends improves pitch accuracy, finger strength, and the ability to expressively communicate musical ideas.

Hammer-ons and Pull-offs (Legato)

Legato phrasing, including hammer-ons and pull-offs, provides smooth, fluid melodic lines, creating a seamless sound characteristic of rock guitar solos. Developing legato technique increases finger dexterity and promotes speed and fluidity, significantly benefiting any guitar player’s skill set.

Alternate Picking

Alternate picking ensures efficiency and accuracy during fast passages and intricate rhythmic sections. By incorporating alternate picking into your playing, you enhance synchronisation between both hands, improving rhythmic timing and articulation, crucial for executing challenging solos such as found in "Flying High Again."

Tapped Harmonics

Randy Rhoads employed tapped harmonics in his playing, a technique delivering clear, bell-like harmonic notes by lightly tapping the fretboard. Mastery of tapped harmonics expands your tonal palette, allowing for creative embellishments and increased expression in your solos.

Palm Muting

Palm muting delivers the tight rhythmic punch that characterises much of the song's driving riff. This technique allows guitarists to control dynamics and create clarity within heavier passages, essential for rhythmic precision and defining a solid groove.

Slides

Slides add effortless movement between notes, contributing to the smooth transition and melodic fluidity present in the solo. Practicing slides improves your fretboard navigation, allowing smoother melodic expression and increasing comfort and confidence while playing.

Pinched Harmonics

"Flying High Again" features Randy Rhoads’ signature use of pinched harmonics, a technique that introduces a high-pitched squeal. This advanced technique, when mastered, enables guitarists to dramatically enhance their sonic palette, bringing distinctive personality and excitement to solos.

About Randy Rhoads – Guitarist on "Flying High Again"

Randy Rhoads, the guitarist featured on "Flying High Again," was a monumental figure in heavy metal guitar playing. His innovative style blended classical influences with aggressive rock guitar techniques, profoundly impacting the genre and influencing countless guitarists worldwide. Known for his meticulously composed solos, precise technique, and melodic sophistication, Rhoads left an indelible legacy in guitar history, evident in songs like "Flying High Again."

Why Learn "Flying High Again"?

Learning "Flying High Again" equips guitarists with essential rock and metal guitar skills. The diverse set of techniques demonstrated in Randy Rhoads’ solos and riffs offers practical experience applicable across many musical styles. Mastering this song provides guitarists not only with technical ability but also deeper musical expression, inspired by one of rock guitar's greatest legends.

Guitar Techniques Covered in This Lesson:

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato (Hammer-ons and Pull-offs)
• Tapped Harmonics
• Pinched Harmonics
• Palm Muting
• Slides
• String Bending

By dedicating time to the techniques highlighted in this lesson, guitarists of all levels will significantly enhance their technical prowess, musical expressiveness, and understanding of classic rock guitar playing.