AC/DC - Moneytalks - Guitar Lesson

The Razors Edge

1990 3:46

Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Music

About Moneytalks

Written by Malcolm and Angus Young, "Moneytalks" from The Razors Edge (1990) is a sharp lesson in what makes AC/DC tick: a locked-in, mid-tempo groove built on a deceptively simple guitar riff that sits right in the pocket. The trick is not speed but feel. Malcolm's rhythm work here is a clinic in tight, percussive down-picking, and matching that attack and consistency is harder than it looks. Angus layers over the top with a tone that cuts without being busy, so every note choice counts. Playing in B major keeps things nicely crunchy in the lower register, which rewards a guitar with a bit of natural warmth in the mids. If the main riff feels sloppy at full tempo, use the Practice Toolbar to loop it slowed down and focus on keeping your pick attack even across every chord. Once the groove locks, the whole song falls into place.

• The signature riff relies on tight, percussive down-picking, so stamina and pick control are the primary technique challenges here.
• Playing in B major sits the riff in a punchy low-to-mid register, rewarding a naturally warm guitar tone rather than pure treble bite.
• Looping the chord-change transitions slowed down is the fastest way to clean up any hesitation in the rhythm part before running it at full speed.