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AC/DC - Rock 'n' Roll Train - Guitar Lesson

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Key E major
AC/DC - Rock 'n' Roll Train guitar lesson video
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Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble6
Presence5
Master7
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Roll back the gain slightly and pick near the neck for a warmer, more open crunch.
Black Ice album cover
Black Ice
2008 4:20
Listen on Spotify
AC/DC Hard Rock 2008 E major
Capo Advisor 0 E major · Original key

About Rock 'n' Roll Train

Tuned down a half step to Eb Standard, "Rock 'n' Roll Train" sits in E major and rolls at a steady 120 BPM, giving it that locked-in, locomotive groove that AC/DC built their name on. The opening riff is the heart of the song: a chunky, palm-muted power chord figure that you need to keep tight and even, letting the rhythm breathe without rushing the beat. Getting that controlled, chugging attack right takes more patience than you might expect, so use the Practice Toolbar to loop the intro riff slowed down until your picking hand is completely consistent. Angus's lead work sits on top of that rhythmic foundation with his usual pentatonic vocabulary, but the real challenge here is matching his tone and phrasing rather than just hitting the right notes. Malcolm's rhythm guitar is the engine of the track: every chord change has to land clean and confident within a hard rock feel that allows zero sloppiness. Nail the rhythm part first before layering in the lead lines.

  • The song is played in Eb Standard tuning, so drop all six strings down a half step before you start.
  • The signature riff relies on tight palm muting at 120 BPM, making consistent right-hand control the main technical demand.
  • Prioritise locking in the rhythm guitar part first, as the power chord changes drive the entire feel of the track.

How to Play Rock 'n' Roll Train

Tuning: Eb Standard · Key: E major · Tempo: 120 BPM

It is played in Eb standard, a half step down, so tune down before you start or every position and bend will sit a half step sharp against the recording.

Use the section loop to isolate a passage, drop the speed below 100%, and set the metronome to 120 BPM to build it up to tempo.

Gibson SG Standard
Guitar

Gibson SG Standard

Angus Young's 1968 Gibson SG Standard is the foundation of AC/DC's signature tone, its lightweight mahogany body and full upper-fret access enabling his aggressive, fluid lead work. Stock Gibson humbuckers push Marshall Plexi amps into natural tube saturation, giving him the perfect balance of dynamics and crunch without relying on effects.

Marshall Plexi (1959 Super Lead)
Amp

Marshall Plexi (1959 Super Lead)

The Marshall 1959 Super Lead cranked to full volume is where Angus Young's power comes from, with no master volume control forcing the power tubes to compress and break up naturally. This thick, harmonically rich overdrive defines AC/DC's raw, unprocessed rock tone straight from guitar to amp.

Marshall JTM45
Amp

Marshall JTM45

Angus Young uses the Marshall JTM45 as his primary amp for achieving natural tube saturation at high volumes, where the amp's power tubes generate organic overdrive without any pedal assistance. This minimalist, direct approach captures AC/DC's core sound: pure, uncolored guitar and amp interaction.

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