How to Play the "Back in Black" Riff

"Back in Black" is one of AC/DC's most popular songs. It combines a catchy sequence of power chords with a very fun solo. The song follows the general AC/DC style of three chords repeated, and was the first song I ever learned how to play on guitar. This tutorial will instruct you how to play this timeless classic.

Things You'll Need

  • Guitar
  • Guitar picks
  • Distortion/overdrive/metal pedal
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Listen to the song a few times. Though easy to play, it always helps to know the song frontwards and backwards before playing.

    • 2

      The main riff to this song is structured in the A-B-A-C format, where a phrase is repeated twice, with a separate phrase after.

    • 3

      The A in the A-B-A-C involves playing an E-power chord, a D-power chord, and an A-power chord. That's it.

      The E gets played once, while the D and A are played three times each.

    • 4

      The B of the A-B-A-C involves playing a descending series of notes.

      E:-3--0----------
      B:------3--0-----
      G:-----------2br-

      The "br" refers to bending and releasing the note.

    • 5

      The C of the A-B-A-C starts with the second fret of the A string and walks the low-E string from the fourth to seventh frets.

      A:--2---2---2---2---
      E:----4---5---6---7-

    • 6

      Combine Steps #3, #4 and #5 and you will be able to play the major riff from one of AC/DC's best and most popular songs.

Related Searches:

Comments

You May Also Like

Related Ads

Featured