AC/DC - You Shook Me All Night Long - Guitar Lesson

Bonfire

1980 3:30

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About You Shook Me All Night Long

Few riffs in Hard Rock are as immediately recognisable as the opening figure here, and learning to play it well comes down to two things: getting the phrasing right and keeping it loose. AC/DC recorded this in Eb Standard, so tune all six strings down a half step before you start. The riff itself sits in G major and leans heavily on a repeating chord-and-single-note pattern that looks straightforward on paper but demands a relaxed picking hand. At 120 BPM it never rushes, which actually makes it harder to hide sloppy timing. The chorus power chords need a firm strumming attack with clean muting between hits, and the lead fills require a smooth transition between rhythm and lead positions. Use the Practice Toolbar to loop the verse riff slowed down until the pick-hand rhythm feels natural before bringing it up to tempo. The solo is approachable for intermediate players but benefits from the same looping-it-slowed-down treatment, especially the bending phrases in the upper register.

• The song is recorded in Eb Standard tuning, so every string is tuned down one half step from standard E, giving the riff a slightly heavier, looser feel.
• The signature opening riff combines a G5 chord stab with a descending single-note line, requiring quick, accurate transitions between rhythm and lead technique.
• At 120 BPM the tempo is moderate but unforgiving of rhythmic drag, making tight palm muting and consistent pick attack the main challenges to practise.