Black Sabbath - Symptom of the Universe Guitar Cover w/Tab

[@Mayhem136695]

Finally, someone who plays this correctly. There are so many people that fuck this up, it's not even funny. Nice cover man!

[@Phil_Trujeque]

+B. Sheldon --- Thanks for the compliment brother. And yeah, I used to think the same thing in the per-internet days when I'd see dudes playing this song (or other Sabbath songs) in open E...

[@Iamhavingastromk]

Damn that main riff is so heavy, sick tone

[@Phil_Trujeque]

Thanks brother!

[@TheTonyShowShow]

In case anyone is confused by C# standard, try this Db Gb B E Ab Db hope I helped someone :)

[@urkoolUncle]

You hit it, brother !! Agree with Herbert; too many THINK they play it accurately but do not.

[@Phil_Trujeque]

Thanks man... these comments inspire me to put up some more Sabbath vids! Cheers!

[@timothyjerry1177]

Almost robotic like timing man. Fantasticly playing 👏🏻🎼🎼🤘🏻

[@Phil_Trujeque]

Wow! I forgot this video existed -- I really need to redo this... especially with adding the Outro solo. Thanks for the compliment!

[@zeppelin1996]

This is one of the few Sabbath songs in C# that you can actually play in standard.

[@sutiszorny8039]

Exactly. It's even better to play it in standard E. You can go full thrash metal mode with those 0-0s.

[@reach1898]

Well done! First thrash metal song ever!

[@Phil_Trujeque]

Artist: Black Sabbath Album: Sabotage - 1975 Song: Symptom of the Universe This is Sabbath's 6th studio album.

[@davewillis4861]

or you can play it in standard tuning in the key of E minor if you don't want to detune

[@guitaristssuck8979]

...and then there's the solo riff

[@hdanilewich2]

Thanks for this awesome video - I spent some time searching for the right way to play this song, and you got it! You are a true hero for sharing this knowledge! It's easy to see that the notes on your tab are perfect! Keep on rocking! ;-)

[@Phil_Trujeque]

wow man, such a cool thing to say. thanks for the compliment!

[@JawTooth]

Cool, one of the best songs ever

[@Phil_Trujeque]

yeah, one of the sickest riffs to boot...

[@JawTooth]

Phil T I just got new strings on my guitar and I'm going to make a video with part of this song in it. I hadnt played it in ten years and had to clean mold off of it and get a new strap.

[@Phil_Trujeque]

+Jaw Tooth hahaha... have fun with it brother, that's what it's all about!

[@JawTooth]

Phil T Yes!

[@DarthEcoli]

If you don't feel like tuning down to C#, you can play it in E standard since it's play a step and a half up anyway. I play it both ways, but I gotta admit C# sounds way better. The outro is easier in E too. Also, I was hoping you were gonna nail the solo.

[@Phil_Trujeque]

I'll post another video of me playing the outro piece... it's basically Iommi riffing on his jazzy, Django-style licks... should be fun!

[@DarthEcoli]

@@Phil_Trujeque Yop. The outro is really fun and melodic. I actually learned it before the rest of the song. Again, you could easily do it on an acoustic left in E, to which I think is easier. I'd be keen to hear your take on it. :)

[@Phil_Trujeque]

@@DarthEcoli... yeah... that's how I learned to play the outro piece as well: F#m7 to B. I've already started tracking the drums for the outro (very time-consuming process) --- so expect a new video soon... I'll record the rhythm and solo takes on my acoustic, for authenticity.

[@OJ2010OJ]

Oh, man....you are way too COOL! Nobody else plays like this on KZbin! Keep uploading, please,,,,

[@grievousangel09]

Thanks for playing this in C#! Hate looking for lessons/covers and finding them in standard tuning when they're originally not.

[@sutiszorny8039]

Bro, it's not incorrect to play it in E.

[@Paul_Warren_Wolfe]

Just want to say thanks for this. I was looking for a lesson to get that Rhythm Figure III right... now I got it!

[@khillo1001]

I dont think this guy is actually playing, he's moving his left hand only, the guitar is toooo stable!

[@Phil_Trujeque]

Dr. Khalil Abbas That’s very observant of you to notice these subtleties. I’ll be sure to correct these issues in my next cover. Thanks for the compliment! 🤪

[@Phil_Trujeque]

Back then for solos, he used a Treble Booster (kinda like an overdrive pedal), but on this track, you can hear that he's heavily drenched in Reverb and Echo. The Echo is what almost gives the guitar that chaotic sound during this solo at 4:03, which is what I think you're taling about. Just use an Echo or Delay pedal and set the Level just a little past 50% or at 1 - 2 o'clock - then mess with the Delay so you can get the proper setting. Good luck!

[@woodsy2069]

great lesson, thanks for the tabs.

[@Phil_Trujeque]

woodsy2069... It's my *absolute* pleasure! Thanks for the compliment!

[@Phil_Trujeque]

Anytime! I'm glad I could help! Your comment made it worth my time to post this video. Thanks man!

[@jf6868]

Great lesson man, thank you!

[@Paul_Warren_Wolfe]

It's close enough!

[@Phil_Trujeque]

Hey Mr DuckDong. I use Elixir Light-Heavy's (10-52's) on the Genesis guitar. The scale length is about the same as your SG at 24.75". On the other Sabbath recordings I have here, I used Ernie Ball 9's on both guitars. The Standard-tuned guitar was an '86 SG and the C# tuned was an '86 Ibanez Artist. To me, 9's for C# sounded sick as hell... but that's back then when I was *shredding* and didn't even care to switch to heavier gauge strings, I just knew I liked how they felt when they were loose.

[@Metalmachinecrush]

Dude, as regards to you comment on vibrato on the chords,..i do it too man,...its a habbit i cant drop but Iommi did it too to make one guitar sound bigger,....you make it sound fat. Well done.

[@blacksabbath666420]

awesome cover! spot on tabs

[@conjering]

That tone comes from a cranked Park amp 100 watts

[@Phil_Trujeque]

On my Sabbath covers, during one of the songs (or maybe a few), I think it's the Warning cover, you can hear me hit the shit out of my Low E, and it goes sharp just how you explained, and I always set up my guitars for dead-on intonation. That's just the nature of tuning low. I don't really care if that happens, it is what it is and it bothered me for a long time, but I just lived with it.

[@Flare4roach]

Beautiful

[@Glamosapien]

for me its preferance i learnt a lot on c# or even drop C to be even heavier but i came back to playin in standard to get some sharpness in my personal tone and i can use 2 guitars in gigs

[@PunchboxRockers]

Nice playing man!

[@Phil_Trujeque]

@stigmatic79 - I promise you, if you keep practicing the part you're asking about, you'll get it. Being a beginner, lots of things seem difficult because your hands/fingers aren't used to doing them. But like I said, just keep practicing that part over and over (stop when your hand starts to hurt), and you'll get it - I promise you! Good luck bud!

[@Phil_Trujeque]

Thanks bud, I appreciate the compliments!

[@Phil_Trujeque]

Yeah, I hear ya! I guess the majority of guitar players who post themselves playing Sabbath riffs aren't really fans of Sabbath as much as I am. But then again, I'm the kind of nut that hears every little nuance in people's playing and tries to reproduce accordingly. Thanks either way bud! Appreciate the comment!

[@Phil_Trujeque]

@OJ2010OJ --- Thanks OJ... I really appreciate your comment.... very cool of you!

[@IAlbert93I]

Great job man!

[@Ry4nUrzS]

Aff finalmente que eu acho uma tablatura da parte acustica aí quando vou abrir tá toda bugada a tab

[@Phil_Trujeque]

Gh0st ... LOL ... sim, parece estar com defeito no modo móvel. vou consertar assim que puder.

[@MrStarlight1980]

perfect i always like your videos!

[@Stonedpimpin76]

It never really bothered me to have to tune a bit flat as long as it sounded good, it was just odd and I wondered if it was just me. I also liked 46-9 in C# but it was just a little too spongey feeling after using the 52s for so long. I still use 46-9 for standard tuning and Eb. Thanks for ur input and awesome videos BTW.

[@Phil_Trujeque]

@ColdHeartedMan1980 ---- Thanks Mr Cold Heart! Really appreciate it!

[@Phil_Trujeque]

@PinkPanda65--- Thanks Pink Panda! I appreciate the ups!

[@Phil_Trujeque]

I use 52's on the Geni because I like the feel of thicker strings so it's all a matter of preference to me, but using lighter gauge strings for C# tuning or lower STILL sounds sick. 7 String guitars sound too polished for my taste. When you're using a lot of distortion, string gauge doesn't really matter at all, but when you use lighter strings for C# or lower tuning, you can totally hear the difference - on recording, you can hear how loose they sound.

[@Phil_Trujeque]

Yes you can, but most 'purists' like to hear all of Iommi's riffs played in C# Standard tuning... it just gives it that awesome growl. For instance, playing Sweet Leaf in standard tuning in the key of A sounds kind of nice and clean, whereas playing it in the Iommi tuning -- in the C position... just puts more hair on the song. In the grand scheme of things, it's all a matter of preference anyway! Play the guitar however makes you play better!

[@Phil_Trujeque]

Tal vez podría transcribir el solo de la guitarra, si realmente quisiera - pero eso significaría que tendría que sentarme y aprenderlo todo de nuevo, y realmente no quiero hacer eso, además de que me llevaría para siempre

[@Phil_Trujeque]

That's right. From High to Low.

[@Phil_Trujeque]

@TheSterlingSound --- I've never ever heard of the tone pot being diconnected entirely. Back in those days, the guitar players who played at high volume were used to rolling back on the tone pot to eliminate unwanted feedback. Can you tell me where you found this information? I've been a huge IOmmi fan for years and I'm curious as to why I've never heard this.

[@Phil_Trujeque]

Hey bud, it's been a while --- I'm going directly into my computer using the Line 6 GuitarPort - and I'm using one of the Marshall amp models with no effects.

[@Phil_Trujeque]

@TheD28boy --- if you pan the sound all the way to the left, you'll hear my guitar more. However, I'll take that as a compliment! Pretty cool thing to say brother - thanks!

[@Phil_Trujeque]

No problem bud, caveat emptor - I may have that part wrong though...

[@cactusdemar]

How do you get that sound? At the begining i just cant make it sound like the original song

[@Phil_Trujeque]

The trick here, was that I turned down the tone pot on my guitar --- I had it sitting somewhere between 2 and 5... I've noticed that all the guitars I've played that had humbuckers, have different sweet-spots... and the sweet-spot on the guitar I'm using in this video, is roughly at 3... So... guitar with humbuckers > tone pot at around 3 > amp with a bunch of gain [not metal distortion]! That's pretty much it! Oh... and don't forget to slack-tune your strings down!

[@Phil_Trujeque]

Thanks bud! The chords used are Am7 and D, played in the V position (on the 5th fret). You can check out the tab I posted at --- trujeque.com/Symptom_Lesson.htm

[@blacksabbatho]

all right, so the original tunning is from the high to the low string C G E B F C? ( don^t have the number symbol)

[@Phil_Trujeque]

@stigmatic79 --- well, I've been playing for like 25 years now, but I think I started learning Sabbath when I was maybe... 5 years into playing. If you have any questions, feel free to ask! I can give you online lessons free of charge!

[@DrumGuitarDude]

How did tony get that sound when he plays the solo? ive been thinking of that since i heard the solo for the first time! .. help please!

[@Phil_Trujeque]

C# Standard Low to Hi: C# - F# - B - E - G# - C#

[@Phil_Trujeque]

@IAlbert93I ---- Thanks bro!

[@Danlos]

solo digo q no he visto un video donde toquen el solo al100

[@mtoesperto]

you can, but then again, it wouldn't sound as heavy as it should, as the tight strings have a different feeling to it.

[@OneTrueVikingbard]

very good. for the acoustic part, which chords are you playing arpeggios for?

[@MrStarlight1980]

hi great playig man,what for a amp using you? Perfect Iommi Tone!

[@ozzmossis78]

damn so heavy sound man

[@Stonedpimpin76]

What gauge strings do you use and what scale? I use 52-10 in C# on my 24 3/4 SG. I always have to tune my low C# a bit flat for it to sound right even though my intonation is dead on. It looks like you are using a lighter gauge string. People always tell me to try bigger strings but thats BS cuz Iommi uses a 42 in C# and he doesnt have any problems.

[@polacorp]

where is this version of the song with that increadible outro? in what cd??

[@leob4403]

Yeah it's there on my Sabotage CD

[@zuff73]

Great job, thanks! Could you tell me what scale is he using in the solo? Is it a blues scale in D? Thanks!

[@Phil_Trujeque]

zuff73.... Thanks for the compliment bud, I really appreciate it! You *can* use the Blues scale... but the majority of this solo is in Eb and F Pentatonic Minor... (D and C if in standard a440 tuning). If you want to keep the same feel, learn those little Iommi'isms... He has very unique 'isms, like rapid-fire trills, bends and fast vibrato. But yeah, keep the solos in Pentatonic Minor and you should be good!

[@zuff73]

Great, thanks! Since you are here, and you're very kind: what scale the rhytm fig. 3 is? I suspect is a Phrygian in A, but I'm not sure...I'm asking you this to try to understand why he choose one mode instead of another. Thanks again!

[@Phil_Trujeque]

zuff73 ... Iommi loves those dark modes --- the Phrygian, minor scale, the Blues scale... listen to the intro riff for Into the Void --- minor Blues Scale in C#... such a sick riff... You can hear one of those Iommi-ism's in his picking hand for Rhy Fig3. His picking is sharp and aggressive. He stabs the strings with the pick as opposed to strumming. I can hear the pick *clink* the string on lots of his riffs. He has a strong fretting hand too. I think his signature comes from his has fast vibratos, dissonant bends and fast trills. H also has those crazy bend-trills! Huh? Oh, and not to mention that he used those thin-ass strings... Iommi lives those dark riffs - he uses the Phrygian so tastefully here. But he's at home around the pentatonic minor - the majority of the solos I've learned from Iommi have been minor scales... but the minor scale isn't his only love... just listen to the acoustic Outro to this song... he's playing so tastefully over Am to D major.

[@zuff73]

Ok, thanks a lot! Nice to find a real fan! (Me too, I've been in London on 31/1/2017 just because I missed the Birmingham tickets...). Iommi rules!

[@Phil_Trujeque]

Forgot to mention that you're correct, Rhy Fig3 is Phrygian

[@davewillis4861]

technically its in E phrygian dominant but its in E

[@DrumGuitarDude]

Alright then What pedal should i use?

[@Phil_Trujeque]

Hahahaha.... right on brother - check back for my next Sabbath cover, I'll punt a dog... or something!

[@DrumGuitarDude]

I mean yeah i know that it is echo or delay. Buy what brand and all that? Name...you know..

[@Danlos]

el solo????

[@GioDez91]

how is the complete tuning C#?

[@TheD28boy]

Difficult to tell what you are actually playing as it really just sounds like listening to the record!

[@davidg8616]

you can play this on standart...

[@samdehnad6407]

You had me until the absent solo and just rhythm to the Spanish part... What happened? If you can play the chords you should be able to play the solos...

[@Phil_Trujeque]

Sam Dehnad... My intention was to track this song similar to how I did my *Into the Void* video - first the rhythm, then add the solos - I just never got around to adding the solo guitars. Oh well... can’t win ‘em all!

[@allvideosareprivate1048]

FAKE

[@Phil_Trujeque]

best times with Brody the Brat - I’ll take that as a pretty big compliment! Thanks!