Chordplay - The Chords of AC/DC 

I was always glad AC DC was so popular .. It has always restored my faith in humanity.

AC/DC was my very first concert at the age of 15. 1978 - Hammersmith Odeon, Front row of the stalls, Angus trod on my hand. School was a warm fuzz to my ears in the morning, couldn't hear the teachers, didn't care! I had just seen the greatest ever rock n roll band, and it was my first gig!! RIP Malcolm.

The solo in ride on just shows how great a player Angus is. Never over playing as shred heads do but just pure taste and style.

All great riffs, especially "Shake Your Foundations" AC/DC is one of the greatest rock bands and most durable...They were very relevant and making albums for at least 40 years.

One thing to consider are the perfectly metered rests in AC/DC songs. Knowing when not to play, and for how long, is just as important to get that groove.

I agree David. Malcolm was the driving force. His chord rhythms were powerful and unmistakable. Back when I first heard them in the early 80's, It was Angus that took the spotlight with his headbanging in schoolboy uniform. Didn't realize just how much Malcolm contributed to the Aka-Daka sound LOL. That Gretsch guitar though. I remember thinking to myself, why that guitar and not a Flying V, a Les Paul or an Explorer. Something that looks cool like his brother Angus' guitar. Of course, when I was younger, looks were more important. As I got older, it was like: I get it now. It's all in the tone and how comfortable the guitar feels, and etc. Malcolm new what he was doing obviously. What a monster of a rhythm guitarist he was. R.I.P. Malcolm Young. Great lesson David. \m/

As a teenager, AC\DC rifts where the best to learn

That was exceptional ... you absolutely nailed the AC/DC guitar tones ... I mean nailed it !!! ... 40 + years of hard hitting, in your face, loud screaming guitar and not a single ballad, power ballad, or acoustic guitar to be found ... AC/DC found something that worked and those who heard it responded with resounding approval ... up the irons !!! ...

It's funny, some 30-odd years later to realize what an influence Malcolm Young and Ace Frehley had on me, not just as a greasy-faced teenager but really shaping what I loved in music for the rest of my life to come. Thank you for this video - I had to grab my guitar and play along with Ride On the second you started it...

🍺’ski I know what it is about AC/DC. The Young Brothers write iconic riffs no different than legends like Iommi, Page etc. They both wrote simple legendary riffs that’ll last for eternity. Finally somebody find me a better rock rhythm guitarist than Malcolm & also find a vibrato more wicked than Angus. Not gonna happen. Just badass music. 🤘 Rock on 🍺’ski!

Dude, thank u so much for being so cool and for doing these guys justice... and for doing Malcolm right. I’m just starting out and u are really helping me. You’re a great player! Plus, u like all the same shit I like... Star Wars, Space Invaders and most important of all... AC/DC!

I really enjoyed this - thank you! I’d never thought about Mal’s thumb-muting before and it’s a great insight. I feel you will appreciate the following: 1. Mal and Angus were heavily influenced by their older brother George who was in an earlier Australian band called The Easybeats. George told them that the 3rd in a chord had no place in rock, which goes some way to explaining their love of power chords. 2. Having said that, some of their classics do have the 3rd, such as the F# low note in the D of Highway to Hell. In fact, in the opening chords of Live Wire, you can hear Mal play the G# of the E chord if you listen carefully. 3. I had the great fortune of meeting Mal once. I shook his hand and could not get over how strong his right (strumming) hand was. Despite being only 5’ 2”, he was a beast! 4. Gretsch Jet Firebirds (Mal’s trusty guitar) have hollowed internal chambers so are much lighter than Les Pauls, in a sense making them hollow bodied guitars. Not many people realise that Pete Townshend used a Gretsch 6120 - big Chet Atkins hollow body - on “Who’s Next” and “Quadrophenia”. Many people consider these signature The Who sounding guitar tracks. Gretsch hollow bodies have a bell-like ringing to them and I’m sure you picked up on that when you cited Mal’s being influenced by Pete Townshend. (In fact I wonder if that’s why Mal used a White Falcon on the “Back in Black” tour before a guitar tech buggered it up.) You’ve got an excellent ear, and I think this video pays great tribute to a great man. Thanks!

Rick Beato did a really good video about them recently. It's all about the upbeats. Never realized it before.

Another great post and exceptionally informative lesson. You have a certain approach to your lessons which have me totally immersed. More please.

Walk all over you is a such a masterpiece.

David's enthusiasm for everything he explains, plays and demonstrates on his channel is what sets him apart from everyone else. Superb.

Easy cords with a wall of sound! Love AC/DC!

I love how the simplest stuff can rock the most and never gets old!!!!

Yes! My favorite band.

Great lesson! I think it is often overlooked now that great music has to be complicated. They have an energy and it's how they played it that made it so memorable.

Your observations are spot on brother in rock...I learned much of my rock from acdc and appreciate you sharing with the world the Genesis of true rock n roll acdc style...God Bless from NC !!!

Dave!! Spot on as usual. Great examples and great explanation of techniques. I wanted add as well the signature sound they had letting the chords Ring just to the point of barely feedback too. Such power they had!

Great video! Thanks. I’m a huge Ac/dc fan . No other band can rock like them...

First time I ever heard them was in middle school!! Great tunes to cover 👍🏼 How about R.E.O. SPEEDWAGON chord play ?? Richrath was a great player !

Awesome lesson, very informative about the subtle nature of Malcolm's technique. Thank you!

Man, I sorta can't believe I've only recently found this channel (to be fair I didn't really find any channels before 2020). But catching up on all these amazing episodes has become my favorite downtime jam. Morning coffee or night-time watching, doesn't matter. It's always like, the best kind of awesome music breakdowns and geeking out on music history content on the interwebz. AC/DC is one of those bands that you love as a kid and they only get more exciting and interesting as you grow up and realize how hard it is to play all those songs the casual listener might seem simple chord structure-wise. I agree with all the statements about Malcom, but I think everyone from Rudd's drumming, both bassists, and both Malcom and Angus all had just killer-insane meter n rhythm chops. So tight, and just so rock and roll. Sure, a lot of similar structures, but the way they serve everything, that primal heartbeat. It sounds like it should be easy but it's so, so, so hard to get even close. Thanks again for the killer content.

Man I love this..been learning guitar and just dedicating my time to get that AC-DC sound and riffing down..this is just brilliant tutorial explanation and inspiration THANKS! !

Malcolm was a genius chord arranger,like you said...really primal,simplistic....but perfect for the songs. The engine that drove AC/DC. Thank you sir!! Loudest concert I've ever heard. AC/DC Highway to Hell was my first concert in 1979. Bon passed soon after. Great show!!

You're absolutely right about Malcolm's importance to the band, when I was a kid, it was always about Angus, but now that I'm older I've learned the intricacies of his playing abilities and style, that holds everything together for the band, I really appreciated watching and "trying" to learn some of his techniques, great video!👍🤘

David Brewster - totally one of my favourite people on RU-vid. What an all round great guy, great teacher. Content worth paying for.

Another great video!!! I've received at least a half dozen speeding tickets, over the years, while listening to AC/DC!.....well done sir!!!!

Love this group of riffs man. I haven’t played Ride On in 15 years. That brought me back to my parents garage were I’d close the doors and windows in summer time so I could get extra sweaty like Angus on stage. AC/DC taught me guitar. Songs like Walk All Over You and You Shook Me All Night Long showed me the way.

This really nails the idea of the "sound" coming from the player's hands. Sure, the guitar and amp tones are important but the playing style is what makes the listener immediately say, that sounds just like AC/DC. Bravo!

Thank you that was really nice to watch. You’re understanding of what the band would play is key here. AC/DC is all about being efficient.

"Shot Down In Flames" is a killer song. Malcolm is the unsung hero of ac/dc for sure. Thank's Dave!!

I was a huge fan of AC/DC in the early days. I saw them with the immortal ‘Sharpie’, Bon Scott a couple of times. The 2nd was a big outdoor show opening for the amazing ‘Skyhooks’, Australia’s #1 act in the mid-late ‘70s. (Should’ve busted the US market, but suffered from comparisons to KISS, who they were NOTHING like). Acka-Dacka as we nicknamed them, were a kick-ass live band, & were taking over as our biggest act, when they went on a UK trip, without a lot of supervision. Then one day, the 6 O’clock news opened with the bombshell that Bon had died of the bad behaviour he’d become famous for. It was a real shock. Not that he was a guy of healthy habits, but we didn’t think he could die. We did, however, think that Ac/Dc were dead. There was no life after Bon. “Sharpie” girls were still adding ‘RIP Bon’ to their ‘Connie’ vests when we heard that Acka Dacka had replaced Scott with another scot. Then we heard “You shook me...”. Great riff, here we go... & that was the end. This screeching falsetto was nothing like ACDC! There was nothing of the sinister, growling, tone of classics like “Dirty Deeds” or the solid angry storytelling of the great “Jailbreak”. All the twisted humour, like someone down the pub telling dirty jokes, was replaced by high-pitched caterwauling which was clean & accomplished, but traded away the hard-edged narrative of Bon for a far more familiar & commercial sound. Not that our views were interesting to anybody, this new band was making piles of cash due to American interest, & are still going strong 40 years later.

Totally agree on Ride On, always stuck out to me too.

AC/DC has always been about “ Stripped down to the bare bones Rock ‘N Roll”. No filler or much fluffery added …… just in yer face balls out chords and riffs by the iconic brothers Young. R.I.P. Malcom …… Rock lost a great man , and I feel for ya Angus . Glad I got to see both generations of the Band, First with Bon , then later with Brian on vocals . But Always unmistakably AC/DC….. 😎👍

Hey David, I love these late night chords of series. And all the subtleties (tee shorts often match, and the photos behind the computer. Keep rocking brother.

Mal was definitely the ticket… I mean, I definitely wanted to play guitar like Angus when I was 11 years old but that part actually came easier. Malcolm had a super unique style and I learned a lot from him when I was younger. Plus, that band taught me to count to four over and over again, three minutes at a time. Thanks for the great lesson, Dave!

Thanks for explaining the structure of some of those chords....very helpful.

There are a lot of great riffs/chord progressions on Flick of the Switch too. But yes if you want to learn to play this is the band that'll teach you. Best band in the world!

There have been many clips of each of these two lads - Malcolm and Angus, talking about each other , and never once did either one not acknowledge the others unique talent. Whilst Angus would always praise his older brother for coming up with the driving riffs, even on songs Angus had himself written, I remember Malcolm saying on camera about Angus, some day folks will realise just how good he is. An almost unusual sibling empathy. Whilst Bon Scott's replacement in Brian has been excellent, I truly believe that despite the talents of the Young boys, without Bon, there would never have been the AC/DC we've revered since 1976.

Great lesson! Love the way you teach. Thanks!

Great job mate from Australia. Been a fan from the start when I was a boy. Malcom parts is all I play, 95% Bon era. Had a AC/DC tribute band years ago. Just jam at home by myself these days. Really enjoyed the video & you really get the utmost importance of Mal. Cheers mate

Angus said in a recent interview that every question that was asked he said Malcom did everything. 24/7 work horse.

Some great riffs to learn thank you. Great video. Big AC/DC fan from way back. Cheers

Great stuff! One of my favourite chords to play, especially live, is the open G. Always sounds great on a Les Paul 😃✌️

Great Chord Play lesson David! I read an interview with Angus once where he said he used very little over drive. He liked to generate overdrive by attacking the the strings with his right hand.

Love the way you teach Brother, keep em coming 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🎸🎸🎸

That was awesome David. Brings back some great memories. My ears are still ringing from "For Those About to Rock" tour...lol

You nailed alot of good things in this man...u are the only other guitar player I've heard say ride in is their favorite tune by acdc...I've always thought the same...there's just so many but this one is special...

You got to have some AC-DC in your life and playing. There's more to it than meets the eye. The Devils in the Detail. Great lesson.

Love the lessons David,.

AC/DC 1991 Donnington ...2 Weeks before i seen em in Basel Switzerland (Monsters of Rock Show) and i was COMPLETELEY BLOWN AWAY !! (Metallica as Second headliner ..)

Greetings from Glasgow Scotland !! we Love your lessons Dave !

Very cool to observe the songs you picked. Their guitars sounded so good back then as well. The album Highway to Hell still sounds good today! Guess Mutt Lange had a lot to do with that. You are 100% right-they had the attitude and that magical something no one else had like them! Cool lesson!!!

Nice. Let there be rock.. 🎸 Cheerz Dave.. 🎸 🇬🇧 👍 Bring it on.

That was awesome! Really enjoyed it!!

I agree whole heartedly, AC-DC Rocks! Great fairly simple riffs if you just want to rock out. I knew most of these riffs except the one from Estevez movie. Thanks killer riffs. Peace.

Love the channel! Awesome series.

Another good tutorial, Thanks man 👍🏼

Awesome video and thanks for sharing your tips 👍

Awesome, David! I knew this was due soon! Thanks!!!

Another awesome lesson

Another great vid. I was just re-watching your vids on modes and I thought it would be great if you made a lesson on modal chord progressions to get a flip side to the scales. It would really help me out and prob a bunch of other ppl too. It's been a while since I commented, but it doesn't mean I haven't been keeping up with the great lessons on this channel. Thanks David !

I think what makes AC/DC guitar so great is just the tone. They let the tone breath and the voltage rock through those tubes. It’s hard not to love their songs because the tone is just so good. But, I never cared to play their music as a drummer because my mind starts wandering (look-a dead fly!) because I didn’t feel challenged enough. I’m not sure if I could stand playing their guitars parts, but I think so, as long as the tone was good.

Thank you for your amazing lessons.Would love to see some Angus riffs :}

Very nice sound.great lesson too.you essentially sumed there sound up perfectly

Excellent!More to try!

Totally agree about D.T. Chase the Ace too - I see that as boiled down, rarified AC/DC. It exemplifies what AC/DC do best - start hot and somehow ramp it up to end absolutely barnstorming!

Ride On has always been one of my favorite ACDC songs. It seems like nobody else has ever heard it. It’s my favorite Angus playing and Bon singing recording.

@15:40 - I feel like I need to get Ponyboy, Sodapop, and Dallas together for a fight with the Soc's (so'sch's). It is that aggressive approach that comes through that can make the simple sound powerful. Great stuff Dave!

I’m a huge Phish/Dead fan and many other totally different bands. But for me, AC/DC is the purest form of rock that exists. I simply can’t stop loving that tone and that playing. I will forever regret never seeing them live.

First concert “For Those About to Rock!” 15 years old and felt like I was seeing God! “If You Want Blood...” best live album of all time!

The Solo of Hells Bells is SO AWESOME !!

Great video.. still catching as you can see.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,yes,,,,,,,,,,tnx for this,,,,,,,,,,,we all hear them and go......OK !........blues rock rules...........can't imagine life without there music...........I hope you were able to see them in concert.????......if so , what one,....I play guitar because of them...........😯......................I was lucky to see them in For Those About To Rock , Denver CO...wow,what a nite of music...................tnx,pat.

hey David that's a cool core play I did not know that Angus was a huge Townsend fan so that's a really make sense you know that makes sense thanks dude

Very good, enjoyed that

Love AC/DC. Subscribed. 👍🏼

What a lot of people out there don't realize is that AC/DC was not playing rock music in the same way as their 70s classic rock and 80s hard rock contemporaries were doing. AC/DC is really a 1950s rock band revved up. Everything Malcolm played had that 50s-ish Scotty Moore/Eddie Cochrane type of rockabilly vibe and Angus as a soloist came with it straight out of Chuck Berry's playbook. It's 1950s rock and roll played louder. Great lesson by the way.

Great lesson and tone! 🎸🎸🎸

Proves good music doesn't have to be complicated. Which is wonderful for players like me!

The 'open' chords do allow for some great natural sustain that only excites a good amp set right like we all wished every chord could ring, it is that I think. That tendency, that we guitarists often do enjoy for the natural sustain w/o all the extra distortion or overdriven gain on an amp can so often make for some great tunage. And that natural sustain of the open position chords that can be achieved had to influence many bands attempts and quest for infinite sustain on at least power chords whereby the backing rhythm chord is approaching two measures or more at times behind the bass, drums and vocals with perhaps intermittent lead licks interjected ala in line with the blues style of lead licks to finish a lyrical line off with before the next. Oh and hey concurr with the Max OD movie summary. It's both a bad flick and cool by virtue of AC/DC. Nice ChordPlay! Ride on! 😎

And!!!! They never ever used effects pedals or a wah wah! I read a book about AC/DC and they always thought that they were WAY better than anybody else! That was the attitude. And man! do they ever use the “c” word a lot!!! Lol And I love to pick up a guitar and do exactly what you opened with...”AC/DC chords”! They just feel right! They feel kick ass! Very inspiring lesson! Thanks! I’m off to play!

I love AC/DC. Just subscribed.

Loved it, as you say simple but it's all in the attitude. Here's a couple of suggestions I don't 'think' you've covered before .. Foreigner, Headpins, Tommy Shaw & Styx.

Love the lessons buddy.

thanks nice job malcomb

Great job David, right on point. Mal would have approved.

Hell Yeah David! Let’s get it up!!

Awesome!!

Love it man, you got’er licked ! Thanks for sharing this cool stuff. I have a little newer version of your Epi , same scheme. 👍🏻

Ah - The thumb - all my years of not getting the sound just right. You nailed the lesson -

They are my main influence for starting to play. My fav was “Night Prowler”. How about an advance lesson in the future Please?

Great vid.

Great vid. Awesome seeing Shake Your Foundations, a powerful song. The Who Made Who version is a more raw than the original on Fly on the Wall.

Thanks dude. You Rock

AC/DC and Malcom in particular was the main reason to pick a guitar as a teenager.