playing tips for Thunderstruck and Back in Black

[JohnP]

Thunderstruck!

This is ETSG and this has to be right! (for the benefit of the hordes of aspiring musicians that use this site as a resource )

”Contrary to popular belief, Young does not play "Thunderstruck"'s main riff with one hand. Instead, he picks every note. Additionally in all AC/DC live videos, Angus can clearly be viewed picking every note. The one-handed tapping technique can only be seen in the "Thunderstruck" music video. The opening riff oscillitates between B major and e minor.” (Wikipedia)

The only way I can make it sound like the original is by picking the notes. Practice is required to keep pace.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6af5-s7_mns]ACDC - Thunderstruck - YouTube[/ame]

 

[thinkgreen]

On a tv interview Angus said, when he first wrote thunderstruk he just used hammer ons and pull offs. And then he started to addpicking to it.

Me I pick the open string and hammer the fretted note. I've tryed always, but my picking isn't fast enough.

 

[JohnP]

The tempo is a bit challenging and I think this is one aspect that makes this piece interesting.
Try different picks and explore the difference in picking near the bridge (firm attack) and up on the fretboard (soft attack)…then practice…
I finally got thunderstruck!

 

[javamagic]

Have you tried wearing a schoolboy outfit?

 

[JohnP]

He he, school uniforms was never my thing. I'm more into witch hats and broomsticks.

Thunderstruck!

 

[Susihukkanen]

Playing tips from Angus, at 4:53.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDyxeDNM2Gs]Angus Young guitar lesson (Part 2) - YouTube[/ame]

 

[frankd]

Myself never even tried it seen a couple guys om you tube do decent
jobs of it both picked it here is SG man.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VLOPHFKXGw"]AC/DC - Thunderstruck Cover - YouTube[/ame]
and while i havent attempted it ever. it does sound like alternate picking to me
too.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkk2TlRc428[/ame]

 

[JohnP]

Yeah, those where all informative clips.

I really enjoyed watching the interview with Angus. He’s such a fine player and he’s got his classy signature tone, sitting on a couch in a Hotel room! His playing style is very tight with a crisp attack that squeezes all the “bite” out of his SG. And he moves his body to the music, delivering each note with feeling. The SG looks big in his arms, almost like he is clinching on to it. Love it.

Also, check out his hybrid picking technique on Stiff Upper Lip about 4:00.

 

[Alex_SG]

Unusual to see him playing an SG Jr. instead of his "signature" Standard... Very good clip though...

 

[dbb]

Interesting.

It does sound like alternate picking with some pull-offs to the open string after the note is picked and fretted, but the open string is then picked again before the next fretted notes. I'm going to have to try it out.

Nice lick, Angus!

 

[JohnP]

Yes, every note is picked (and every second note is an open b). It’s done by ”alternate picking” (meaning every second stroke down, every second stroke up.)

This means that the open b is always picked in the same direction – either up or down – your call.

One can try both ways and see if it makes a difference…no big difference to me…oh my, just realize that I don’t know in what direction Angus picks the open b… maybe someone can analyze the clips...or maybe Angus checks in on ETSG on a regular basis and posts an answer soon….

 

[frankd]

Interesting.

It does sound like alternate picking with some pull-offs to the open string after the note is picked and fretted, but the open string is then picked again before the next fretted notes. I'm going to have to try it out.

Nice lick, Angus!

go for it two alternate picking tunes in the past 6-8 months were
enoughj for me they drive me batcrap CRAZY getting them right!

 

[nbeersiii]

Thunderstruck was one of the first songs I ever learned to play. I started playing about the same time the album came out. I used to think he just hammered and pull offed without picking to play it. He does live I think but on the album he picks the B string. They actually taped down his other strings so only the B would ring out and it would sound as clean as possible. I read an interview with angus and the album producer and thats what they said. I wish I could remeber where I read that but I did.

 

[King]

To my belief (having learnt this from my guitar tutor who is the lead guitarist in a highly acclaimed uk based acdc tribute) angus picks then pulls off (so finger on b3 pick, pull off, finger on b5 pick, pull off). The song was originally done without picking but picking was added to lower the risk of errors (I think).
(Sorry for necro post by the way- just wanted to clear it up somewhat)
-King