Highway To Hell by AC/DC

If you're looking to dive deep into the iconic riffs of rock ‘n’ roll, our note-for-note guitar lesson of “Highway To Hell” by AC/DC is the perfect place to start. This track is not only a staple in the world of rock but also an excellent example of rhythm guitar mastery, which can elevate your playing across all genres. This song, driven by simple yet powerful guitar parts, teaches players the art of playing with precision, feel, and energy—key components for any aspiring guitarist. Stuart Bull breaks down this iconic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarists: Angus and Malcolm Young

"Highway To Hell" features the brilliant guitar work of Angus Young and his brother, Malcolm Young, both of whom played pivotal roles in shaping AC/DC’s signature sound. Angus Young, known for his electrifying lead guitar work, brings raw energy to every performance. His fast and aggressive style, combined with his ability to blend blues with hard rock, has made him an icon for lead guitarists worldwide. Malcolm, on the other hand, was the engine behind AC/DC's rhythm guitar sections. His tight, clean, and driving riffs provided the foundation for many of the band's biggest hits. Together, the Young brothers created a guitar interplay that is essential for any guitarist looking to master rhythm and lead dynamics in rock music.

Techniques Covered in “Highway To Hell”

This song offers a solid blend of foundational guitar techniques that will build your overall skills and introduce you to new ways of playing. Let's break down the core techniques you’ll focus on in this lesson and how they benefit you as a player.

1. Power Chords

Power chords are a cornerstone of rock music, and “Highway To Hell” makes extensive use of them. These chords are simple but incredibly effective in delivering the punch and drive that define the song. By mastering power chords, you'll develop a tighter sense of timing and rhythm while learning how to move smoothly across the fretboard.

2. Palm Muting

Palm muting is used in several sections of “Highway To Hell” to control the dynamics of the song, adding texture and contrast to the rhythm guitar parts. By practicing palm muting, you’ll learn how to create a more percussive and tight sound, which is crucial for playing in rhythm-heavy genres like rock and metal.

3. Open-String Riffs

One of the song’s key rhythmic elements is the use of open-string riffs, which create a full and rich sound while maintaining simplicity. Learning to incorporate open strings into your playing adds depth to your riffs and opens up new possibilities for creating a thicker tone without the need for complex fretting.

4. String Bending

Angus Young's solos are famous for their expressive use of string bending, a technique that adds emotion and intensity to lead lines. Mastering string bending will not only improve your soloing but also help you develop a better sense of pitch and control, which are essential skills for any lead guitarist.

5. Slides

The fluidity of the guitar parts in “Highway To Hell” comes from the clever use of slides between power chords and single notes. Slides allow you to transition smoothly across the fretboard, adding flow and continuity to your playing. As you practice slides, you’ll develop greater accuracy and coordination between your fretting and picking hands.

6. Syncopated Rhythms

The song’s rhythm pattern features syncopation, which gives it a slightly offbeat and driving feel. Learning to play syncopated rhythms tightens your timing and rhythm skills, which is beneficial not only for rock but for any genre requiring groove and feel.

7. Alternate Picking

While the rhythm sections may not appear fast at first glance, maintaining consistency and precision requires solid alternate picking. Practicing this technique will improve your picking speed and efficiency, making it easier to tackle more complex riffs and solos in the future.

Benefits of Learning “Highway To Hell”

Learning to play “Highway To Hell” is more than just mastering a classic rock anthem. Each of the techniques used in this song—whether it’s power chords, palm muting, or syncopated rhythms—are foundational skills that can be applied across countless other songs and genres. Here are some key benefits you’ll gain from this lesson:

• Improved timing and rhythm: The driving nature of the song's riffs helps you build a better sense of timing, which is crucial for any guitarist, especially those playing in a band setting.
• Mastering dynamics: By focusing on palm muting and string bending, you'll learn how to control the intensity and emotion in your playing.
• Fretboard fluency: Techniques like slides and alternate picking will improve your fretboard navigation, allowing you to move between notes and chords more seamlessly.
• Expressiveness: String bending and slides are two techniques that add expressiveness to your playing, helping you to make simple lines sound more emotional and dynamic.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

Here is a list of the guitar techniques used throughout the lesson on “Highway To Hell”:

• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Open-String Riffs
• String Bending
• Slides
• Syncopated Rhythms
• Alternate Picking

By focusing on these techniques, you’ll enhance your overall guitar playing ability and build a strong foundation for learning other classic rock songs. Jump into our lesson and start mastering "Highway To Hell" today!