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Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” drummer, Bill Ward
Transcription by Marc Atkinson
On 01st Dec 2024
This month, in honor of the legendary Bill Ward, I’ve transcribed the classic song “War Pigs” from Black Sabbath’s iconic second album, Paranoid. This song showcases Ward as a true pioneer of metal drumming. From beginning to end, it’s a powerhouse track that highlights some of his finest drumming. To improve readability, I notated the opening in 12/8 instead of a slow 4; however, it can be felt either way. Don’t worry about strictly playing the dotted 16th and 32nd notes; instead, try rounding them out or “swinging” them. In the following section, pay special attention to Ward’s distinctive hi-hat work. He combines an open/close motion with his foot and strikes with his right hand, creating a fuller, fatter sound. Throughout the song’s heavy-hitting sections, you can clearly sense Ward’s jazz influence in his fills, alongside the hard-rock intensity reminiscent of John Bonham. “War Pigs” marks a turning point in music […]
December 2024 Issue