This Back in Black guitar lesson will teach you one of the most iconic rock riffs of all time. AC/DC’s “Back in Black” is the perfect song for intermediate players who want to nail that classic hard rock sound. The main riff looks simple on paper, but getting that punchy, tight rhythm that made AC/DC famous takes some serious practice.
What makes this song so much fun to play is how it grooves. Malcolm Young’s rhythm guitar work drives the entire track, and once you get that chunky, percussive attack down, you’ll understand why AC/DC became legends. The chord progression isn’t complicated, but the timing and attitude make all the difference.
The Story Behind Back in Black
“Back in Black” was recorded in 1980 at Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas, marking AC/DC’s first album with new vocalist Brian Johnson after the tragic loss of Bon Scott. The band was determined to create their biggest statement yet, and this title track became exactly that.
Malcolm Young crafted the main riff on his trusty 1963 Gretsch Jet, plugged into a Marshall stack cranked just enough to get that signature crunch without too much saturation. The recording setup was surprisingly simple – no fancy effects, just pure guitar tone and tight playing. Producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange helped shape the sound, but the raw power came from the band’s relentless groove.
The album “Back in Black” became one of the best-selling albums in music history, and this title track perfectly captures why AC/DC’s approach works so well. Sometimes the simplest ideas, executed flawlessly, create the most lasting impact.
What You’ll Learn
- The main riff using E, D, and A power chords
- Malcolm Young’s signature chunky rhythm technique
- Palm muting for that tight, percussive attack
- The bridge section chord changes
- Proper down-picking technique for maximum power
- How to get that classic AC/DC tone
Chord Progression Breakdown
The main riff centers around E5, D5, and A5 power chords, but the magic is in how you play them. You’ll start with the E5 power chord on the 7th fret, but don’t just strum it – you need that percussive, chunky attack that Malcolm Young perfected.
For the E5, place your first finger on the 7th fret of the A string and your third finger on the 9th fret of the D string. Keep your palm resting lightly on the strings near the bridge for palm muting. The D5 follows the same shape moved down to the 5th and 7th frets, then the A5 uses the open A string with your second finger on the 2nd fret of the D string.
The trickiest part isn’t the chord changes themselves, but getting the timing right. Each chord hits with precision, and you need to mute between the hits to get that staccato effect. Don’t let the chords ring out too much – control is everything here.
During the bridge section, you’ll encounter some different voicings. The progression moves through some fuller chord shapes that require clean fingering transitions. Practice moving between these shapes slowly at first, making sure each note rings clearly.
Strumming Pattern & Rhythm
The rhythm in “Back in Black” is all about the down-picking technique. AC/DC rarely uses alternate picking for their rhythm parts – it’s almost all downstrokes, which gives you that heavy, driving attack that defines their sound.
Start with a simple down-down-up-down pattern, but focus more on the palm muting and the spaces between the hits. The groove comes from what you don’t play as much as what you do play. Those little gaps and muted hits create the percussive quality that makes this riff so infectious.
Practice with a metronome set around 92 BPM to start. The original tempo is a bit faster, but get the feel locked in first. Your right hand should stay relaxed – tension will kill the groove. Think of your picking hand like a drummer’s hand hitting a snare drum.
Pay attention to the dynamics too. Not every hit should be the same volume. The main chord hits can be stronger, while the little connecting notes and muted hits can be quieter. This creates a much more musical rhythm part.
Tips for Playing This Song
Focus on your palm muting technique first. Rest the side of your picking hand lightly on the strings right where they cross the bridge. Too much pressure kills the notes completely, too little lets them ring out too much. Find that sweet spot where you get a chunky, controlled sound.
Don’t rush the chord changes. Beginning players often speed up during the transitions between E5, D5, and A5. Use a metronome and really focus on keeping steady time. The power of this riff comes from being rock-solid rhythmically, not from playing fast.
Work on your down-picking endurance. Playing all downstrokes for an entire song is more physically demanding than alternate picking. Start with shorter practice sessions and build up your stamina gradually. Your forearm might get tired at first, but this technique is essential for authentic AC/DC tone.
Listen to your amp settings. You want some crunch and compression, but not too much distortion. AC/DC’s tone is more about midrange growl than heavy saturation. If you’re using too much gain, the palm-muted sections will get muddy and lose their punch.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The biggest mistake I see students make with this song is overthinking it. The chord progression is straightforward, so don’t try to make it more complicated than it needs to be. Focus on playing each chord cleanly and in time rather than worrying about fancy techniques.
Another common issue is inconsistent palm muting. Some players mute too heavily throughout the entire song, making everything sound the same. You need to vary your palm muting intensity – heavier during the chunky rhythm parts, lighter during the more open sections.
Many guitarists also struggle with the bridge section because they haven’t practiced the chord transitions enough. Those changes need to be smooth and automatic, so spend extra time working on just that section before trying to play the whole song through.
Getting the Right Tone
Your tone makes a huge difference with this song. If you’re using a practice amp, try setting your gain around 6, mids at 7, bass at 5, and treble at 6. These are starting points – every amp is different, but you want that midrange punch without too much low-end muddiness.
If you have a tube amp, even better. AC/DC’s sound comes from cranked tube amps, and while you might not be able to get the volume they use, you can capture some of that natural compression and warmth. Even a small tube amp will get you closer to their sound than a high-gain digital setup.
For effects, less is more. AC/DC doesn’t use much beyond the natural distortion from their amps. Maybe a tiny bit of reverb, but nothing fancy. The power comes from the playing, not the effects.
“Back in Black” proves that sometimes the most effective guitar parts are also the most straightforward ones. Once you get this riff down solid, you’ll have a better understanding of how rhythm guitar can drive an entire song. Take your time with the palm muting and down-picking technique, and don’t forget to practice along with the video lesson to really nail the feel.