Practice Studio

Ozzy Osbourne - No More Tears - Guitar Lesson

Sections · Loop · Speed · Metronome

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Speed Control

Speed
100%

Tools

BPM
Key E minor
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Amp Settings

Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble6
Presence5
Master7
AI tone preset

AI-selected preset based on genre and era — adjust the knobs to taste.

Roll back the gain slightly and pick near the neck for a warmer, more open crunch.

No More Tears (Expanded Edition) album cover
No More Tears (Expanded Edition)
1991 7:25
Capo Advisor 0 E minor · Original key

About No More Tears


Few heavy-rock tracks from 1991 demand as much patience from a guitarist as "No More Tears." The song stretches past ten minutes, and holding the groove together through those long sections requires a steady right hand and real stamina. The main riff sits in E minor and leans on a low, churning feel, so keeping your palm mute controlled and consistent is the first thing to nail. There are also slower, atmospheric passages that contrast sharply with the heavier moments, meaning you need to shift gears cleanly rather than just playing everything at the same intensity. Ozzy Osbourne built a career on songs that reward close listening, and this one is no different: small rhythmic details in the riff make a big difference to how it feels. Use the Practice Toolbar to loop those transitional sections slowed down until the dynamic shifts feel natural rather than forced.

  • The song is built around a brooding E minor riff that relies heavily on controlled palm muting to get the right heavy, low-end tone.
  • At over ten minutes long, it is one of the more endurance-testing songs in Ozzy's catalog for a rhythm guitarist to play all the way through.
  • The dynamic shifts between the heavy riff sections and the quieter passages are the main technique challenge, requiring deliberate control of your picking attack.

How to Play No More Tears

Tuning: Eb Standard · Key: E minor · Tempo: 91 BPM

It is played in Eb standard, a half step down, so tune down before you start or every position and bend will sit a half step sharp against the recording.

Use the section loop to isolate a passage, drop the speed below 100%, and set the metronome to 91 BPM to build it up to tempo.

Gibson Les Paul Standard
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Standard

Slash's Les Paul Standard on 'Ordinary Man' delivers Ozzy's signature thick, warm sustain through its mahogany body and set neck. The guitar's natural resonance cuts through a cranked Marshall while maintaining the heavy, blues-rooted tone that defines modern Ozzy records.

Gibson Les Paul Custom
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Custom

Randy Rhoads and Zakk Wylde both relied on the Les Paul Custom's thick mahogany construction and PAF-style humbuckers for sustained, focused leads that pierce through Marshall saturation. The Custom's weight and warmth became sonic anchors for Ozzy's most iconic guitar tones across decades.

Marshall JCM800
Amp

Marshall JCM800

Zakk Wylde dimed the JCM800 2203 for maximum crunch and tight low-end response, making it the backbone of modern Ozzy heaviness. The amp's aggressive gain structure and natural breakup at volume deliver the roaring, sustained tone perfect for pinch harmonics and heavy riffing.

Marshall Plexi (1959 Super Lead)
Amp

Marshall Plexi (1959 Super Lead)

Randy Rhoads' modified 1959 Super Lead Plexi delivered natural tube saturation with a tight, focused midrange that allowed his fast runs and solos to cut through with clarity. The Plexi's simple, responsive design meant tone came directly from his fingers and Les Paul into the amp.

EMG 81
Pickup

EMG 81

Zakk Wylde's bridge position EMG 81 provides high output and compressed sustain essential for heavy riffing and pinch harmonics that define modern Ozzy songs. The active humbucker's tight low-end response couples perfectly with a dimed Marshall JCM800 for maximum aggression.

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
Pedal

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah

Randy Rhoads and Zakk Wylde both used the Cry Baby wah to add expressive texture to leads without cluttering their core Marshall-driven tone. The wah's responsive sweep enhanced their solos while remaining secondary to the raw tube amp saturation that defines Ozzy's sound.

Play with Backing Track

Play with Backing Track

Solo (Backing Track)

Solo (Backing Track)