ANGUS YOUNG's 18 Greatest Guitar Techniques!

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*correction: You Shook Me All Nite Long is played with a standard C chord, not a Cadd9. Thanks to all those who brought this to my attention. www.the-art-of-... to visit our lesson site.

[@TheArtofGuitar]

If you want to learn how to play guitar from me, be sure to check out my entire lessons program at www.the-art-of-guitar.com. 👍🎸🎸

[@GrayD_Fox]

You don’t know what underrated means

[@willdenham]

Is that SG you're playing have a wide or thin neck? I can't tell. I am SG curious.

[@JimiJam24]

Man I`m a 52 year old picker, all my life, grew up with Angus. Thought I`d just see what you were pushing and found myself loving the whole video! Bravo! And again, I knew 90% of this already, its just that YOU kept me entertained while doing the video! My grandkids WILL be show and made to watch this one with you my friend! Thank you!

[@TheArtofGuitar]

+JUNGLE JIM Awesome. Glad you enjoyed it my friend.

[@geoffwarren2993]

You are a great guitar teacher. Hands down. I've played lead for over 45 years. Tried teaching others. Very difficult to teach people what I know. You however - seem to be able to do it very smoothly and sensibly. My Top kudos to you - You are an amazingly good guitar teacher! Cheers!

[@positivelySlime]

This is one of the best guitar videos I have ever seen. Love how casual it is. No frills, not a lot of talk - just a little bag of tricks and some simple explanations to get you on the right path.

[@freezerpizzas8858]

that SG is beautiful

[@THEKILLER-uc3vp]

@@starlinyn9292 you are even more beautiful

[@antoniodepadova8453]

All SGs are beautiful

[@floydofnova2743]

@@antoniodepadova8453 More than Les Paul's in my opinion.

[@Spider-Man_2099_]

im am beautiful

[@acdcandledzeppelin5125]

Hey

[@kgmessier]

Impress your friends! Get more chicks! Use timestamp bookmarks! 1. Chord Choices (0:31) 2. Syncopated Rhythms (5:13) 3. Staccato Picking (6:39) 4. Multi-String Bends (7:53) 5. Lead Motifs: First Example (9:25) 6. Extreme Vibrato (11:36) 7. Vibrato Noise (12:54) 8. Staccato Rhythms (13:53) 9. Travis Picking (15:55) 10. Extreme Slides (17:30) 11. Lead Motifs: Second Example (18:25) 12. Unison Bends (20:00) 13. "Thunderstruck Thingy" (20:59) 14. Double Pull-Offs (23:00) 15. Minor-to-Major Pentatonic Soloing (24:42) 16. 1/4-Scoop Bends (26:09) 17. Double-String Tremolo Picking (27:18) 18. Bend Stacking (28:43)

[@farazzza4344]

Keith Messier tnks boi

[@declanl2167]

Thx dude

[@carlosmalleum7733]

Do you sell chest expanders as well 😉

[@AG-vk5or]

What a good dude. Thanks :)

[@adamyoung11yearsago35]

NOICE

[@remnantroyal160]

Badass song. Simple but tricky if you want to hear the incredible tones that really make this classic pull you into its groove. God i love this song. Angus , you find gold under your fingers , pure gold

[@remnantroyal160]

The song im refering to, not to confuse......You shook me all night long.

[@GoDrex]

Angus is so underrated. His vibrato and phrasing is incredibly difficult to emulate.

[@snaxandviolence]

Absolutely agree with you. His playing is clean as hell too. Really awesome solos

[@lukas45167]

he isnt “underated” tf he is one of the most influental and popular guitarists

[@yomuthabyotch]

@@lukas45167 what do ppl actually think they're saying when they (mis)use "underrated"? just as annoying as misusing "literally."

[@denemathis5879]

He plays with such confidence...I know he took the lil e off his guitar to get a clean run on thunderstruck but now it's muscle memory and I haven't never heard him miss a note and plus the song is picked every note yes he might throw up the horns and start hammer ons and pull offs but after he picks every note...and most of AC-DC rythem parts was played by his brother Malcolm...Malcolm really set the tone and rythem and let his lil brother play lead and get more recognition...it's not a AC/DC concert if Angus don't do his Chuck Berry headbanging walk and never messes up...it's crazy and he's still rocking...

[@kennethpogue718]

Sounds so simple but then when you dive into it and try nail down that style, fuggetaboutit haha

[@TheGhost5600]

356 dislikes? Is that a misprint? This guy gave a great lesson. What more do you want?

[@RolloZx]

You'll find malc is probably behind most of their riffs.... and he is a truly world class rhythm guitarist

[@funkyzero]

Huge Angus fan all around here, but I've always insisted Malcom was "the sound" behind everything. You could hear an Angus solo track and it might take a second to identify it on some of the lesser known stuff. If you hear a Malcom Young riff, it's instantly unmistakable regardless.

[@calvin3230]

funkyzero angus himself said malcom was the better guitarist.

[@bobbijean8045]

Heavy rhythm, older brother definitely a Great rhythm guitarist!

[@patronus1776]

Malcolm was AC/DC. He wrote the riffs. He led the band.

[@PatrickJWenzel]

Absolutely on point. The most concise and technically correct video of Angus's playing style that I have ever seen, backed up with a very palatable instructional technique. Great job!

[@talex001]

I have not been playing that long and many told me AC / DC was easy, sure some of the chords are but I have found on many of their songs their touch is not heavy at all they have a really light touch to make it sound right and their muting is superb - there is a lot more to it than the chords.

[@leokimvideo]

Great basic breakdown of some of Angus's tricks. What surprises me with many ACDC songs is via isolated track pulldowns what I thought was Angus playing is actually Malcolm. There's a very tight bond between the two players even in solos. And it's almost like an illusion because everyone looks at Angus not realising parts can be done by Malcolm. When your awesome rhythm guitarist can snap into solo mode thats a neat trick to have up your sleeve.

[@teresathomley3703]

You mean "I teach it on the website." You are a modest person, Michael.

[@emdubbau6238]

Malcolm Young is the greatest Rhythm Guitarist of all time... and the true heart beat of AC/DC's fat guitar sound. WOuld love to see a VID covering him.

[@razeroforion4959]

rip malcolm....

[@antonboras8343]

Jacob Molyneux Is there any software to do this? Would like to try it myself :)

[@MisterSwagify]

The thing with Mal is that his technique's just heavy gauge strings and picking harder than you could even imagine.

[@georgeb9285]

No guys , he’s not at all

[@Legomanfred]

Great video. It's always nice to "pull back the curtain", and find out how "the wizard" performs his "magic". 👍😊💗

[@blackfender100]

I have been playing Angus chords for years.I love them.

[@bigshuff]

Thank you some really interesting techniques demonstrated here, giving me a lot to learn and work on, and your so right feeling is everything. I'm 60 now and never done a live gig before but I'm determined to one day do an AC/DC cover set before my life is through.

[@nickn1316]

Keep practising improving and persevering and you will achieve your dream Never give up and your dream will come true - keep the faith 🤗🤗🤗🎶🎸🎶

[@MS-Patriot2]

Where are you located? I’m up for it.

[@franckauger9490]

That's good vibes !!

[@EduFirenze]

absolutely loved how you were going over Angus techniques in a respectful way. Saw so many videos where people approach him as just another pentatonic guy and miss the point completely.

[@dathandsometroll1852]

When I tried what you meant in the extreme vibrato segment, something that I think anyone who is trying any of Angus' techniques should know, is that sometimes he bends his strings down when you would expect him to bend them up. This I found made the vibrato a LOT easier.

[@thecman26]

That red is deep and beautiful! What really helps is that Angis is incredibly talented!

[@Lefty16jd]

Stevie Ray Vaughan is the most raw natural guitarist ever in my opinion. He takes a lot a different quirks from different styles of playing and threw them into his Blues. Wish I could have met him.

[@realcdnthreetles]

Sure, but what does this video have to do with SRV?

[@thenowherestairs]

Yes. Yes.

[@alfonsobonzo3782]

Sure this video says it’s about Angus Young?

[@metalkid8106]

0:40 Chord Choices 5:17 Syncopated Rhythms 6:46 Staccato Picking 8:02 Multi String Bends 9:32 Lead Motifs First Example 11:44 Extreme Vibrato 13:12 Vibrato Noise 13:59 Staccato Picking 16:00 Travis Picking 17:34 Extreme Slides 18:28 Lead Motifs Second Example 20:04 Unison Bends 21:02 Thunder Struck Thingy 23:02 Double Pull-Offs 24:46 Minor to Major Pentatonic Soloing 26:14 1/4 Scoop Bends 27:21 Double-String Tremolo Picking 28:45 Bend Stacking

[@licksnkicks1166]

I just had a detailed look at Angus playing You shook me all night long! I always thought on the intro part they played an ACDC G to full C but Angus just moves his middle finger over to the C. A lot less technical then I thought. Exactly the way you explained it! Just learning this spurred me on to learn the solo! Thx so much! I am play the whole song but not up to speed yet!

[@markthomas3411]

You are so cool. I really appreciate your sense of wanted to teach and wanting to get across how its done. That means so much to me. You're very personable. Just watching you makes me want to watch you and learn. Thanks Mike.

[@SaxJockey]

Excellent, I am familiar with a lot of these techniques but I did not know many of their names. Great to see them being stacked and combined. Great playing 👍.

[@mauricerobillard612]

Same here as well. He has a the gift of teaching

[@battlecatsgo]

You're a good teacher, very concise and you make it easy to understand. Thanks for your video!

[@stephengreen8986]

I remember seeing Angus when he had recently come to England from Australia when Bon Scott was the frontman and my favourite guitarist was Kossoff from Free. He had some powerful blues licks that sounded stunning in a small venue.

[@paulkelso6690]

Great video mate it's not easy to get those tricks considering Angus was only 15 when he started playing like that he was outstanding! I'm still learning from him and have been for 25 + years.

[@justrockon426]

i guess i figured most of those by ear. over time and practicing. Angus has a nice way of playing that makes the AC/DC songs sound like 'tough rock'. nice of you to share.

[@IMe7x]

You are really digging in this stuff, one note aside Malcolm is a great guitarist too but he doesn't get the respect that he deserve, and nice video as always !

[@alansutton5861]

Mal....superb rhythym....

[@mattgilbert7347]

Yeah, if you talk to any music industry pro who knows rhythm guitar, Malcolm is regarded as one of the best blues-rock guitarists around. He's very unwell atm, it's quite sad.

[@farazzza4344]

May Malcolm rest in peace

[@bayukebab3248]

At first I thought you are just an arrogant guitarist/teacher, and after a few months watching I knew I am wrong. You are such a generous and friendly friend who has a lot to tell. Thank you so much.

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Why did you think I was an arrogant guitar teacher?

[@bayukebab3248]

@@TheArtofGuitar bacause based on the way your movements while talking. It is my bad. Judging too early even without saying out. Sorry for that bad thought about you in my mind previously. Now I made up my mind again, you are being yourself and I love it. Keep it going! (Sorry for my bad english)

[@daves4645]

From a guy who's been listening intently to Angus since the 70s, you nailed it.

[@92beebo]

This is gold. All well explained, and it sounds just as the original.

[@YourFellowRNRSisterFan98]

I love Angus! And we need a Black Sabbath technique video also! I'm 19 and grew up listening to AC/DC and Black Sabbath and Ronnie James Dio!

[@Squishy_Seal]

He is a beast in guitar!

[@turkeymanmcgee8231]

Dio 😍😍

[@FabPatricio09]

Also, on the G chord. He didn't use the pink finger on the higher G. Its just 3x003x . The 1st string is also muted.

[@FuryVoxx77]

THIS IS SOME THE MOST CLEAR AND CONCISE GUITAR TECHNIQUE TEACHING I HAVE EVER SEEN !!! GREAT JOB :)

[@jimsy5530]

Stumbled across this video randomly, and expected a quick compilation of clips - got an entire basics of rock course in half an hour. Really interesting, thanks!

[@bojangles6444]

Played since I was 12 I am 40. Finally know how to play the chords properly. Play a lot of these songs by ear, but something was off. Been playing too many strings all this time. Thanks!

[@beforethunder4987]

The whole time I'm watching this, I found myself going yeah, he does this in this song or he does this in that song...great teaching and explanation for anyone that has heard an AC/DC song. Great lesson and thank you.

[@saxmidiman]

This is really strange...today I was playing, and many of the techniques you are mentioning here were coming into play. Then I happened to stumble on this video...perfect timing. Your explanations are very easy to absorb for me, which I cannot say happens often. Thanks for your efforts and aid. Peace!

[@sbennettyt]

This just reinforces two important things I already learned. 1) Thirds sound like crap when playing with distortion. Never use 3rds with distortion. 2) Adding a 5th on the bottom of a power chord is awesome! Fat and grungy.

[@peterschmidt9942]

Cool video - there's some great techniques in there. Just remember, Angus was a huge Chuck Berry fan, so he basically thinks "What would chuck do" when he's playing.

[@didds8869]

Peter Schmidt You can hear the Chuck Berry influence really obviously in those first few albums

[@mattgilbert7347]

Respect to Malcolm as well. Freakin great rhythm player. He makes his bro sound good by providing him with a rock-solid backbeat.

[@d3w4yn3]

The fading vibrato, sometimes, is actually the sound of the other side of the string (between your finger and the nut, as opposed to between your finger and the bridge). It almost sounds like a complimentary harmonic.

[@spencerfristad2407]

Angus young is my favorite guitar player I been playing guitar for 21 years I still get influenced by him he is such a special player and he always will be to me Ac/dc is the best band ever

[@michaelhogan738]

Wow! Thanks, man! I'm an old guy (60), and have been playing since I was 17! You are getting the "real" basics conveyed! If I had a heart for teaching, I would maybe do what you're doing. A suggestion for teaching a specific guitar style: Southern Rock, e.g. Forrest Richard "Dickey" Betts.

[@refl3ktor]

patient and very well executed techniques. i use them all. great video! You are an excellent explainer! Thank you!

[@andyp5743]

Found this video by mistake, really glad I watched it. Some great tips and ideas to work on for someone at my kind of "intermediate" / "improver" level. Really clear insights into the 5 shape chords too. Thanks!

[@pomod]

Hey man, nice break down of playing Angus' playing style/vocab. Some classic Angus-isms - that exaggerated vibrato for sure, and some other things that I can't believe Ive missed all these years, - those 'scoop' bends, yeah he does those a lot come to think of it.

[@licksnkicks1166]

Absolutely what the doctor ordered. Just a really great Angus lesson. Thanks. Subbed your channel. Looking forward to learning more!

[@markjanke5849]

licks n kicks ad AC/DC has

[@comic4relief]

licks n kicks No offence, but I'd rather hear Angus explain.

[@enriquegarcia5809]

licksrosendo picaporte

[@darren9194]

@@comic4relief Go watch his video then

[@L.A.W.Studios]

First time ever tuning in. I like how you play an example first, then go into what makes it all happen. FYI, Bassist/Guitarist for 35+ yrs ..bought Powerage from the 'cutout bin' ..HA! One of the best ..ever!

[@ruffinogold5440]

Man , I would have flipped if the internet existed when I was young . Back in the day , we just figured stuff out somehow . My boys play ( I got three ) and the rate at which they learn is much quicker than years ago , thanks to videos like this . Very cool . Keep up the good work

[@autocrow]

Good lesson! I love Angus's style. He can make the pentatonic sound amazing with his excellent technique. I want to incorporate his style into my all around playing. I notice he likes to use 4th's as well. Real bluesy rock playing. Possibly the best at doing so.

[@MrSprocket2u]

This guy is brilliant !!!! .... he knows his stuff :)

[@97warlock]

Ive played guitar from Creedance to Slipknot and have been playing since 85 ....And ..... have been surfing these guitar vids for hours ......And ....... this one has been the most entertaining & cool.

[@RobCastro]

This is the best video on Angus Young's technique I've seen. Packs a lot of great stuff. Just subscribed. Thanks.

[@steuibi68]

Hello your lesson for playing my favorite musicien and andersted the technique for playing the style as very great for my🎸👍😉😁thank you, salut from france😉

[@jonathanbrooks9159]

Fantastic video. I love your honesty; I circular pick too and always felt "weird" doing it, when everyone else seems to alternate pick every note.

[@Mephilis78]

The first, about the unique chord voicings, I actually remember noticing some of these when I was a kid watching the Family Jewels bix set. It was like an epiphany, my parents looked at me like I was crazy when stood up and yelled "Holy crap, that's not a normal G chord!". Dad is a drummer,he had no clue what I was talking about lol

[@shanesearle5131]

thankyou so much for your time really enjoyed it get lesson cheers searley

[@Rob_1776]

Angus Young And Malcolm for that matter! Are some of the greatest guitarists ever!

[@davidallen527]

Very nice! Ready to go over that again. That was nice. Appreciate it

[@007graeham]

Wasn't intending to watch the whole vid but I did. If this lesson were a book, it would be called a page-turner - i.e. keeps us remaining enthralled, not wanting to miss anything and needing to know what's coming next.

[@puppycat65481]

love your teaching style.........Thanks very much.

[@wildnmild]

Awesome Lesson! you are so knowledgeable about all these players you include in in each technique you show. excellent Lesson. thank you for being so informative and easy to understand without being boring. Well done!

[@nazmoking3171]

Been playing a long time but I still learned some things from your video here that I think will be relevant for me so very well done and thank you!

[@accidentals_hacks]

good stuff. I used to always play a major/minor chord. the "5" chord sounds so much more visceral.

[@dr.rickmarshall6697]

Great lesson excellent instruction very comprehensible and easy to understand from beginner to advanced I’ll give you two thumbs up 👍

[@allanjim3]

Great Tips! After watching sooo many Angus performances and interviews, the one thing I know for sure is Angus (and Malcom as well) were constantly watching and imitating groundbreaking guitarists. First they’d practice until they could play it precisely like the artist, THEN they’d ‘mess about with it’ giving it an entirely new sound and ‘feel’. It was now part of Acca Dacca’s signature sound!!

[@CFarnwide]

Great video! These little nuances are what make artists like Angus instantly recognizable. Very few have that individually distinct sound.

[@stephenasbridge878]

Wow. There’s loads in this to work on. Thank you for sharing this.

[@MoStBlEsSeD]

Angus is a beast his brothers rythym chops are insane as well

[@nige99]

Great lesson , Highway is played using the D/F# but you can play it with your pinky on the B string and just dab your second finger through to the G on the third fret E see Marty Schwartz lesson on it

[@s4lroachclip]

cool lesson i like to see guitarist counting properly, as a former drummer myself. I am fully converted to guitar now

[@williamhurrelbrink3324]

First, I LOVE this video. Second, I’d like to see the outtakes. Or the unedited version.

[@runnershigh7573]

Very good.... well explained.. Thank you

[@lolobuggah2670]

This video should really be called the techniques of Malcolm and Angus Young. A nice addition would have been Angus's awesome pick scrape which he uses generously. Also, please say the word "root" like "boot" not like "foot". Thanks!

[@Clemshortzy]

Malcolm said in an interview that he got a lot of his rhythm patterns from the automated printing machine in the print shops he worked in after he left school. They would constantly churning machines bashed out irregular but repeated rhythms that got stuck in his head. The best example I can think of are the main chords for Long Way To The Top - it basically an automated stacker going around.

[@charlie236]

"Suddenly it punches you in the face... which is nice"

[@rogerweafer2179]

Another AMAZINGLY FUN and informative lesson,Thank you sir!

[@hoofhearted7445]

Absolutely a classic giutar lesson video. ty so much

[@grahamcox8385]

I learned master of puppets from this dudes tutorial video, after months of trying to play it properly I watched this guy for 10 minutes and was playing it way easier and better, awesome teacher and really humble musician 🎸😊🇦🇺😎👍

[@sidewaysrain7609]

Yes for the record Angus is not the only guitarist that use these Technics nor did he invent them!

[@kennethflnes947]

Thanks for sharing! Kenneth, Norway🇳🇴😊

[@rodneybrimer1712]

Great video. Very well explained. I'm a beginner and this was helpful!

[@catgotwasted2]

You rock G. I don't really listen to anybody 'big' except with friends. I like your style man, you verified a lot of what I have learned on the guitar myself. You explained it brilliantly and I now have a couple extra power chords to play with. I recommend the unknown edition of 'Counterpoint' by Walter piston for good reference to the knowledge you might have been kept away from (Treatise of music by Richard Strauss and Hector Berlioz.) Thanks man, I really enjoyed your film.

[@bdwitt66]

Thank you for getting Thunderstruck right. I get so annoyed when people don't pick the entire thing.

[@mr.breakfast_3theoneandonl25]

I've been playing for six years now and just watched this video to see how much I've picked up from Angus since he was one of my main influences while learning guitar. Turns out that everything he mentions in this video I do in both my lead and rhythm playing, literally every single technique

[@isaacjohnson.]

Really great lesson, with lots of details! Love it. Thank you.

[@ClassofEighty2]

I always learn something from your posts. Thanks.

[@mapearce1]

Angus is a total guitar-god! I try some of his technique, but am of limited skill and cannot confuse myself as I try to get a real handle on open-g tuning. PS - I am an old fart.... nice video

[@angus9165]

6:11 that kind of reminds me of “for those about to rock (we salute you)”

[@kewward3741]

I actually got lessons on guitar from the legend himself Angus Young in 1982...Good memories...God bless

[@ElChevelle]

I just discovered you, subscribed, paid for your awesomeness and now run into you all over the internet. All within a week! I bow before your awesomeness!!!

[@cavallifabrizio4692]

thanx for improve my thunderstruck leack, now its very slow, but sounds the REAL leack thunderstruck, you r helpfully

[@burthill3653]

Great video. The X3X033 chord is called Csus2 since the 3rd has been replaced by the 2nd. Just like in a sus4 chord when the 3rd has been replaced by the 4th.

[@cnkolorz]

I love the sound of SG's You serve them well. Super good video , thanks for sharing!

[@DiabolicHarlequin]

Great Video, great teacher! Thx for your work and rock on! Greetings from Austria

[@mrdajve]

Learned a lot from this simple but effective lesson - thanks! Also your tone sounds great - what's the set-up? - thanks in advance.