Hell Ain't a Bad Place To Be by AC/DC

The Licklibrary guitar lesson for "Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be" by AC/DC offers a note-for-note breakdown of this hard-hitting, classic rock anthem. Known for its punchy, riff-driven structure, the song is packed with timeless guitar techniques that every aspiring rock guitarist should master. By diving into this song, you'll not only play an AC/DC classic but also gain valuable skills that can be applied to a wide variety of rock and blues-based playing. Stuart Bull breaks down this iconic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Angus and Malcolm Young: The Power Behind the Guitar

AC/DC’s guitar sound is synonymous with the legendary brothers Angus Young and Malcolm Young. Angus Young, with his fiery leads and energetic stage presence, is one of rock’s most iconic lead guitarists. His playing style incorporates blues-based licks, aggressive picking, and high-energy solos, making him a true master of rock guitar. On the rhythm side, Malcolm Young was the driving force behind the band’s signature sound, laying down tight, rhythmic riffs with precision. His approach to riffing is direct and powerful, relying on strong rhythmic foundations, giving AC/DC their unmistakable groove. Studying their techniques will give any guitarist a deeper understanding of how rhythm and lead guitars can work together seamlessly to create powerful rock music.

Song Breakdown and Techniques

Power Chords and Open-String Riffs

The main riff of "Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be" is built on power chords, one of the fundamental elements of rock guitar. Power chords are perfect for adding a heavy, full sound while remaining simple and easy to execute. The use of open-string riffs adds dynamics and a more expansive sound to the riff. By mastering these techniques, you'll develop the ability to create your own powerful riffs and maintain tight rhythmic accuracy, especially in fast-paced rock songs.

String Bending and Bluesy Bends

Throughout the song, string bending and bluesy bends are used to add expressiveness to both rhythm and lead parts. String bending is an essential technique for bringing emotion into your solos, as it allows you to "speak" with your instrument by raising the pitch of a note. Angus Young’s use of bends in this track is subtle but effective, giving his lead lines a vocal-like quality. Learning how to bend accurately will improve your intonation and help you play more expressively.

Alternate Picking

The song's rhythm parts demand a strong foundation in alternate picking. This technique involves alternating between downstrokes and upstrokes to pick notes, which is crucial for achieving the speed and precision required in many AC/DC tracks. Practicing alternate picking will allow you to play faster, cleaner, and more rhythmically consistent, especially when playing complex rock riffs.

Slides and Vibrato

In both rhythm and lead parts, slides play an important role in transitioning between notes smoothly. Vibrato is another key technique in the song, where you subtly vary the pitch of a note to add sustain and depth. Vibrato is essential in rock and blues for enhancing the emotional impact of your playing. Together, these techniques help you develop a more fluid, dynamic style, enabling you to move between notes with ease and deliver powerful, expressive lead lines.

Palm Muting

Malcolm Young’s tight and punchy rhythm style is built on palm muting. By lightly resting the edge of your picking hand on the strings while picking, you can control the resonance of the notes, creating a percussive, muted sound. This technique adds articulation and rhythmic clarity, helping you lock into the groove more effectively, which is crucial in a song like "Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be."

Pull-Offs and Hammer-Ons

The lead parts also incorporate pull-offs and hammer-ons, two legato techniques that make playing faster phrases much easier. These techniques allow you to articulate multiple notes with a single pick stroke, creating smooth, fluid runs. By learning hammer-ons and pull-offs, you’ll develop the ability to play faster, more intricate phrases with less effort, while also improving the smoothness of your playing.

Double Stops

AC/DC's riffs often make use of double stops, where two notes are played simultaneously. Double stops add a thicker, fuller sound to riffs and solos and are a staple in classic rock and blues guitar. Angus Young frequently uses double stops to add power to his lead work, and mastering them will allow you to bring a similar sense of energy and complexity to your own playing.

Guitar Techniques in "Hell Ain't a Bad Place To Be"

Here’s a breakdown of the key guitar techniques used in this lesson:

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Pull-Offs
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Slides
• Hammer-Ons
• String Bending
• Bluesy Bends
• Double Stops
• Open-String Riffs

By mastering the techniques in this lesson, you'll not only learn how to play "Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be" like a pro, but you'll also expand your overall guitar skill set, enabling you to play more confidently across a wide range of rock and blues styles.