About this recording
Blizzard of Ozz · 1980 · Original album studio recording
Playing level: expert · Theory level: beginner
Compare E natural minor with E harmonic minor. Listen for the pull from D♯ into E in the repeated figures.
The scales at a glance
Compare the notes
Learn these shapes, then see how they help explain each solo below. Some are extra ideas for your own practice.
| Scale | Notes | Intervals | Use in this study |
|---|---|---|---|
| E Harmonic Minor | E · F♯ · G · A · B · C · D♯ | 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭6 · 7 | Listening guide |
| E Natural Minor | E · F♯ · G · A · B · C · D | 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭6 · ♭7 | Practice idea |
| E Minor Pentatonic | E · G · A · B · D | 1 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭7 | Practice idea |
Solo breakdown
Main solo
Guitar: Randy Rhoads
Where is this solo?
Randy Rhoads’s featured electric solo in the later heavy section. The quiet opening arrangement is separate.
E Harmonic Minor
Listening guide
E harmonic minor raises D to D♯. The original theory lesson uses this collection to explain the solo’s trill sequence.
E · F♯ · G · A · B · C · D♯
◎ Outlined dots = E, the home note.
Standard tuning (teaching setup) · frets 12–15 · high string 1 at top · toward nut →
These dots show where the scale notes are. They do not show the order of the solo.
Read the note positions
- String 1, fret 12: E, interval 1, root
- String 1, fret 14: F♯, interval 2
- String 1, fret 15: G, interval ♭3
- String 2, fret 12: B, interval 5
- String 2, fret 13: C, interval ♭6
- String 3, fret 12: G, interval ♭3
- String 3, fret 14: A, interval 4
- String 4, fret 13: D♯, interval 7
- String 4, fret 14: E, interval 1, root
- String 5, fret 12: A, interval 4
- String 5, fret 14: B, interval 5
- String 5, fret 15: C, interval ♭6
- String 6, fret 12: E, interval 1, root
- String 6, fret 14: F♯, interval 2
- String 6, fret 15: G, interval ♭3
More about these scales
E Harmonic Minor Listening guide
E harmonic minor raises D to D♯. The original theory lesson uses this collection to explain the solo’s trill sequence.
E · F♯ · G · A · B · C · D♯
E Natural Minor Practice idea
E natural minor has D instead. Compare that single change slowly before joining the repeated groups.
E · F♯ · G · A · B · C · D
E Minor Pentatonic Practice idea
E minor pentatonic is a smaller practice map. It helps you find the home notes without claiming the solo is entirely pentatonic.
E · G · A · B · D
How the chords shape the solo
Chords and note choices
Listen for the landing note
Listening idea A trill is a quick alternation between two notes. The notes still need to fit the nearby chord. D♯ sits one fret below E and can create a clear pull towards that home note.
Technique tips
Technique and phrasing
- legato: Legato means joining notes smoothly. A hammer-on sounds a higher note with your fretting finger; a pull-off sounds a lower one. Match their volume to the picked note. Practice suggestion
Practice ideas
Try the ideas yourself
Original practice suggestions; these are not the recorded solo.
Try this slowly
Pick D♯ and hammer onto E on the same string. Let E ring, then repeat the pair slowly. Build an even sound before shortening the gap between the notes.
Check: You can keep a steady pulse and hear the final note clearly.
A simple practice plan
Put the study into practice
- Listen to the chosen solo and identify its beginning and ending.
- Find the root notes: the notes the scale is named after. Say their names, then play them.
- Add one new note, or aim for a note from the chord. Make a short phrase of your own.
- Listen to the solo again. Can you hear where the phrase comes to rest?
Updated 2026-11-10
This analysis may contain errors or inaccuracies.