Iron Man — One String Guitar Tab
Black Sabbath
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Practice Tips
- 1Start slow — use the 0.5x speed option
- 2Focus on one note at a time
- 3Keep your fretting hand relaxed
Similar Melodies
About This Melody
Iron Man by Black Sabbath is one of the most legendary guitar riffs in the history of heavy metal. Released in 1970 on the album Paranoid, the song's slow, heavy opening riff is instantly recognizable — even people who have never listened to metal know this melody. Tony Iommi's original riff defined an entire genre, and the best part is that its core can be played on a single string. This version uses the 5th (A) string and frets 2 through 10, making it one of the easiest ways to play something that sounds massive and powerful on guitar.
How to Play
- This melody uses just the 5th string (A string) of your guitar. The fret sequence is: 2, 5, 5, 7, 7, 10, 9, 10, 9, 10, 5, 5, 7, 7.
- Start on fret 2 — this is the iconic opening note. Let it ring out with weight before moving on.
- Jump to fret 5 and play it twice, then move to fret 7 and play it twice. These doubled notes create the heavy, stomping feel of the riff.
- Climb to fret 10, then play the signature wobble: 10, 9, 10, 9, 10. Alternate between frets 9 and 10 evenly — this is the most recognizable part of the riff.
- Drop back down to fret 5 (played twice), then fret 7 (played twice) to close the phrase.
- The riff has a slow, deliberate feel. The original tempo is around 76 BPM — it's meant to sound heavy, not fast. Start even slower and focus on giving each note its full weight. Think of each note as a heavy footstep.
Common Mistakes
Playing too fast — Iron Man is a slow, heavy riff and rushing it kills the feel. Let each note breathe. Losing precision on the 9–10 wobble — the alternation between frets 9 and 10 should be even and controlled, not sloppy. Practice this section on its own until each note is clean. Not giving the opening note (fret 2) enough weight — this single note sets the mood for the entire riff, so let it ring. Confusing the doubled notes — frets 5 and 7 are each played twice in sequence. Missing one of the repetitions changes the rhythm completely.