AC/DC - Back In Black Pt.2 - Solo - Guitar Lesson

Back In Black

1980 4:16

Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Music

About Back In Black Pt.2 - Solo

The solo in "Back In Black" is one of the clearest examples of Angus Young's philosophy: every note earns its place. It sits in E minor and leans heavily on pentatonic vocabulary, but what makes it demanding is the phrasing. Angus bends hard, often pushing strings a full step or further, and the vibrato on held notes needs to be wide and controlled rather than nervous or tight. Getting that swagger into the bends is where most players struggle, and it takes more slow repetition than it looks like it should. Use the Practice Toolbar to loop each phrase slowed down until the pitch of every bend lands consistently before you bring the tempo back up. AC/DC kept the arrangement around the solo lean, which means any hesitation or weak attack is completely exposed. Focus on committing to each phrase with full pick attack, because tentative playing kills the feel of this one faster than wrong notes do.

• The solo is built almost entirely on the E minor pentatonic scale, making scale position knowledge a prerequisite before tackling the bends and runs.
• Wide, controlled string bends of a full step or more are central to the solo's feel, so a string gauge and setup that supports firm bending is recommended.
• Practising each lick at 50 to 60 percent speed with the Practice Toolbar before pushing to full tempo will help lock in accurate bend pitch and vibrato width.