Guitar & Bass Tabs
Rainbow
About Rainbow
Rainbow formed in 1975 when guitarist Ritchie Blackmore left Deep Purple to pursue a powerfully melodic, technically adventurous rock vision. With Ronnie James Dio joining as frontman, the band fused blues-rock grit with neoclassical flourishes, laying the groundwork for what many would later call early heavy metal. Their quick ascent—anchored by blistering guitar work and Dio's commanding vocals—turned a new corner for hard rock and opened doors for bands that merged melody with metal. The duo's work on albums like Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow (1975) and Rising (1976), followed by Long Live Rock 'n' Roll (1978), established Rainbow as a foundational influence on the genre and inspired countless players to push their instrumentation beyond simple riffs.
Today Rainbow is celebrated for bridging blues-rock roots and progressive-metal ambition, with Blackmore's searing leads and Dio's operatic vocal lines shaping the sound of modern hard rock. Their legacy lives on in the guitar-driven riffs that remain a touchstone for players learning to balance melody, aggression, and virtuosity.
🎸 Want to know what gear Rainbow used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
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Do You Close Your Eyes
Rainbow
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Stargazer
Rainbow
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Man On The Silver Mountain
Rainbow
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Self Portrait
Rainbow
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Sixteenth Century Greensleeves
Rainbow
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If You Don't Like Rock 'N' Roll
Rainbow
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Still I'm Sad
Rainbow
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A Light In The Black
Rainbow
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Run With The Wolf
Rainbow
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Kill The King
Rainbow
View Tab →Playing Style
Rainbow's guitar voice is defined by bright, melodic leads threaded through hard-hitting riffs. Blackmore's playing blends blues-inflected phrasing with rapid, neoclassical arpeggios and soaring bends, creating a dramatic, almost cinematic atmosphere. Expect prominent power chords, palm-muted rhythms, tremolo-like vibrato on sustained notes, and intricate lead lines that sit on top of big, swinging grooves. The band's material often layers twin guitar textures and big-scale transitions, rewarding precision in alternate picking, clean timing, and expressive phrasing that makes each riff feel heroic.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
Iconic gear centers on Ritchie Blackmore's guitar tone—primarily a Fender Stratocaster-driven signal into Marshall and other high-gain amps—giving Rainbow's riffs their bright, searing edge. Early setups favored amp-driven punch with minimal effects, while later performances saw tasteful use of modulation and wah to sculpt leads. A classic Rainbow rig might feature a wah pedal, a phaser for phase-shifted textures, and robust cabinet stacks to punch through the mix during epic solos.
Why Learn Rainbow Songs?
Studying Rainbow's catalog on DadRock Tabs offers a powerful blueprint for aspiring rock players: you’ll flex your power-chord rhythm, master punchy downstrokes, and develop clean, precise alternate picking while shaping expressive lead lines. Riffs like Man on the Silver Mountain and Stargazer build core rock competencies—timing, groove, and dynamic phrasing—while songs with more complex arpeggios and tempo shifts push your fretboard control. The 15 Rainbow lessons provide a structured path from mid-tempo grooves to advanced metal-inspired sequences, giving you a solid foundation in melody-driven hard rock.
Did You Know?
- 1Rainbow was formed in 1975 when guitarist Ritchie Blackmore left Deep Purple to start a new project.
- 2Their early albums, especially Rising (1976), helped define the sound of early heavy metal and neo-classical-influenced rock.
- 3The epic Stargazer riff is widely cited as a landmark moment in hard rock guitar writing.
- 4Blackmore's guitar tone and melodic leads influenced generations of players in the 80s metal scene.
10 Rainbow lesson(s) available — Start learning today!
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