AC/DC - Shoot to Thrill - Guitar Tab

Back In Black

1980 5:18

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About Shoot to Thrill

Few rock openings hit as hard as the lurching, syncopated drum and guitar intro to "Shoot to Thrill," and learning to lock into that feel is your first real challenge here. The main riff sits in E minor and leans heavily on open-position power chords, but the rhythm is where most players stumble: AC/DC play behind the beat with a swagger that is easy to hear and surprisingly hard to replicate. Malcolm Young's relentless down-picked rhythm work is the engine of the song, demanding tight palm muting and a relaxed but firm picking arm. Angus's lead lines call for smooth pentatonic phrasing and controlled vibrato rather than speed. Use the Practice Toolbar to loop the intro riff slowed down until the syncopated accents feel natural in your hand before bringing it back up to tempo. Getting the muted chugging sections to breathe properly is what separates a convincing take from a stiff one.

• The main riff is built on E minor open-position power chords, with the challenge lying in the behind-the-beat rhythmic feel rather than chord complexity.
• Malcolm Young's rhythm part requires strict down-picking with controlled palm muting, making right-hand endurance a key thing to practise.
• Angus Young's lead work focuses on pentatonic phrasing with expressive vibrato, prioritising feel and note choice over fast technique.