AC/DC - Whole Lotta Rosie - Guitar Tab

Let There Be Rock

1977 5:25

Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Music

About Whole Lotta Rosie

Few hard rock riffs announce themselves as immediately as the opening of "Whole Lotta Rosie." The main riff sits in A minor and is built almost entirely on power chords and a driving, syncopated rhythm that demands tight right-hand control. Getting that choppy, percussive feel right is the real challenge here: the notes themselves are not complicated, but locking in the rhythm while keeping the attack consistent is harder than it looks. The verse and chorus sections also push you to move quickly between positions on the lower strings, so clean muting between chord stabs matters a great deal. AC/DC rhythmically hits these chords with a behind-the-beat swagger that gives the song its swagger, and rushing it kills the feel entirely. Use the Practice Toolbar to loop the main riff slowed down until the syncopation sits naturally in your picking hand before bringing it back up to speed. Focus on the attack and the silence between notes as much as the notes themselves.

• The main riff is built on power chords in A minor, and nailing the syncopated rhythm pattern is more important than finger placement.
• Palm muting and precise right-hand muting between chord stabs are essential to capturing the riff's tight, punchy character.
• Use the Practice Toolbar to loop the opening riff at reduced speed, focusing on consistent pick attack and rhythmic accuracy before increasing tempo.