Dio - Rainbow In The Dark - Guitar Lesson

Holy Diver

1983 4:17

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About Rainbow In The Dark

Few Heavy Metal songs lean so heavily on a keyboard riff, yet "Rainbow In The Dark" is absolutely worth studying on guitar because Vivian Campbell's rhythm work and lead playing give the track its real bite. The song sits in F# minor at a steady 120 BPM in E Standard tuning, which keeps things accessible while still demanding tight, aggressive picking to match the momentum. The main challenge for most players is locking the rhythm guitar in with that driving synth line without letting the groove drag or rush. Campbell's lead tone is thick and sustaining, so pay attention to your pickup selection and gain staging if you want to get close. The solo section moves quickly through the minor tonality and rewards players who have their pentatonic and natural minor shapes well connected across the neck. Use the Practice Toolbar to loop the solo slowed down until the position shifts feel automatic, then bring it back up to tempo with Dio's original track.

• The song is in F# minor at 120 BPM in E Standard tuning, making it a solid tempo challenge for rhythm guitar players building their picking endurance.
• The signature melody is carried by keyboards, so guitarists should focus on Vivian Campbell's rhythm chugging and his lead lines to find the real guitar content.
• Practising the solo slowly with the Practice Toolbar is especially useful here, as the minor-scale runs move quickly and contain several position shifts.