Play Paranoid: GUITAR

Paranoid Guitar Intro by Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath is one of the most iconic bands in rock history, and their song “Paranoid” is one of the most famous. The guitar intro to this track is instantly recognizable and represents a challenge for guitarists of all levels.

This intro is built on several guitar playing techniques, such as the Hammer, grace notes, and back and forth playing of the pick. In this article, we'll explore each of these techniques in detail to help you master the legendary intro to “Paranoid” on guitar.

Paranoid Guitar Intro from Black Sabbath: The Games of Tony Iommi

The Guitarist's Disability Black Sabbath, Tony Iommi is one of the best-known features of his musical career. Indeed, in 1969, while playing in the group Earth (which would become Black Sabbath), he lost the tips of two fingers of his right hand in a work accident in a metallurgical factory.

This accident could have ended his musical career, but Tony Iommi decided to persevere and adapted his playing style to continue playing guitar despite his disability. He began by creating artificial fingertips by using pieces of plastic bottles and attaching them to his fingers with glue. He also lowered the height of his guitar's strings to make it easier to press down on the strings.

Paranoid Guitar Intro by Black Sabbath: Down Tuning

His handicap gave birth to a real down-tuning technique that has become a trademark. Instead of playing in standard tuning, where the strings are conventionally tuned, Iommi developed a lower tuning for his guitar. This allowed him to play heavier, darker riffs, with a “fatter” and more powerful sound.

Iommi also played an important role in the development of heavy metal, using more powerful guitar amps and adding distortion to create a harsher, more aggressive sound. His down-tuning technique influenced many guitarists in the metal genre, who adopted this technique to produce a heavier, darker sound.

Working with these new conditions, Tony Iommi created a unique and recognizable sound, characterized by heavy, powerful riffs and melodic solos that have influenced many guitarists since then. His guitar playing technique, combined with his creativity and sense of melody, helped establish Black Sabbath as one of the most influential rock bands of all time.

Tony Iommi's disability is an example of determination and perseverance in the face of adversity. He knew how to turn an obstacle into an opportunity to create something new and different, and left an indelible mark on the history of rock music.

Paranoid Guitar Intro by Black Sabbath: Hammer Guitar

In Paranoid's riff, Hammer's technique is essential in producing the song's signature sound. Using their finger like a small hammer, the guitarist strikes the strings quickly to produce crisp, precise notes. This creates an effect of speed and power which is essential to giving the riff its driving rhythm.

It is important to practice this Hammer technique carefully, as it can be difficult for guitar beginners. The key is to keep your hand relaxed and strike the strings accurately. With practice, you will be able to master this technique and play the Paranoid riff with confidence and ease.

Paranoid Guitar Intro from Black Sabbath: Back and forth play

Back-and-forth pick playing is a very common and important technique for guitarists, especially for fast-paced styles of music like rock and metal. This technique involves alternating up and down movements with the pick to play notes more efficiently and quickly. It also helps minimize external movements to the strings, which can be useful to avoid interference with other strings and improve sound quality.

In the Paranoid riff, this technique is optimized to play notes quickly and while maintaining rhythmic stability. However, it is important to point out that everyone may have a different preference when it comes to pick playing, and the back and forth technique is not suitable for everyone. It is therefore important to find the technique that suits you best!