Master AC/DC’s Iconic Anthem: Step-by-Step Guide to Rocking ‘For Those About To Rock’ on Guitar!

Have you ever wondered how to play the intro to “For Those About to Rock” by AC/DC? If so, then you’re in luck. As a guitar teacher, I’ve helped plenty of students break this down into manageable parts. Here’s how you can learn to play this iconic rock anthem. Laying the groundwork, it’s important to remember that when learning guitar songs, there isn’t always one right way—different sources may show different methods, and even live shows will vary. Always opt for the approach that feels and sounds good to you.

The intro to “For Those About to Rock” kicks off with an instantly recognizable, staccato guitar part—something start-stop rhythmic that AC/DC is known for. Start by setting your guitar on the bridge position pickup but with lower volume, so it’s not too distorted; this makes the tone cleaner, particularly for beginners. The first step is to place your middle finger on the third string (G) and the ring finger on the first string (E) at the 11th fret. We’ll also play the second string (B), but leave it open.

Pluck these strings together with your thumb, first finger, and ring finger, noting that every time your fingers bounce back, it stops the strings from vibrating, which gives it that staccato sound. The focus here is to ensure each finger is plucking each string with equal volume—particularly because we’ll shortly move fingers around and that first string E note is essential to be heard clearly.

As you get comfortable here, learn to mute the top three strings by laying the pad of your thumb over them. This technique is crucial, especially if you’re playing at a loud volume, as it prevents the strings from vibrating, avoiding unwanted noise.

Now let’s focus on the accent pattern or rhythm of this piece. This involves accenting or stressing a particular note and then playing two relatively quieter notes. This pattern repeats four times in a row and ends with a sequence of accent, play one note, accent, play one note.

To understand this better, think of it like the dialogue in a play—some lines require more emphasis (accents), while others (the two quieter notes) provide context. To get the hang of this, I recommend listening to the song a few times so you can familiarize yourself with the pattern in your head and then try to play it.

Once you master this initial accent pattern, you’ll start moving your fingers on the first string, by moving to the 10th fret and then to the 14th and 12th frets. This shift can feel a bit tricky if you’ve never done it before, so patience is key.

After you’ve familiarized yourself with the intro part, you can move on to the rhythm and the chord parts. The key here is to select which type of chords suit you best, whether it’s the more traditional open chords or the more streamlined power chords. The song opens with a B power chord and then transitions into a drop from G to F sharp to E. You can play this on open chords (G, F#, E) or as power chords, depending on your preference.

As you progress through the song, make sure to pay attention to the rhythm and various parts of the song structure—verse, chorus, bridge, and so forth. The rhythm will change somewhat as you learn more of the song, but that’s the fun in learning guitar songs.

Remember, when playing guitar, your ultimate goal should always be to have fun and stay positive. If a certain method or chord doesn’t sound right, change it up, and try a different approach. After all, learning to play guitar is a journey, not a destination. So enjoy the journey and keep rocking!
Today, I’ll break down “For Those About to Rock” by AC/DC – focusing on the rhythm parts of the song and simplifying some sections to make more sense for you. This guide will help you overlay different parts without getting too entangled in complex tablature.

As we dig into this iconic rock anthem, remember we start with the characteristic intro. Set your guitar on the bridge position pickup and lower the volume; this is to ensure a less distorted and cleaner tone. The first step is to place your middle finger on the third string (G) and the ring finger on the first string (E) at the 11th fret.

The second string (B) is also played but left open. Pluck these strings together, ensuring that every time when your fingers bounce back, you stop the strings from vibrating. This creates a staccato effect. It’s crucial that each finger plucks each string with equal volume because we’ll soon be moving fingers on the first string.

Also, strategically position the pad part of your thumb to mute the top three strings. This prevents them from vibrating and generating unwanted noise, especially when playing at a louder volume.

The next stage involves learning the accent pattern in this piece: accenting a particular note, then playing two relatively quieter notes. Visualize it as ‘accent, two notes, accent, two notes’ repeating four times, then ending with ‘accent, one note, accent, one note’.

As you progress, you shift to the 10th fret on the first string and continue the same pattern. You’ll then proceed to the 14th fret of the first string to play two significant notes, and move swiftly to the 12th fret. Using different combinations of fingers in this process is acceptable as long as it triggers the desired effect.

Once you’re done with the intro part, we dive into the rhythm and the chord parts. The song commences with a B power chord, followed by dropping from G to F sharp to E. You can choose to play these on open chords (G, F#, E), or as power chords according to your preference.

As the song develops, observe the rhythm and its evolution in coordination with different parts of the song structure like the verse, chorus, bridge, etc. There’s one new chord added – you go from B power chord but shift your fingers to create this new chord.

In the verse, there’s a particular playful lick which I play from the fifth string then to the fourth string, adding vibrato for effect. This can also be played with a combination of fourth fret and second fret, making it sound like a power chord.

One of the key instructions I can offer you is the importance of adapting to personal preferences while learning chords. The two primary ways to think about it could materialize as G power chord then E power chord, or moving from A power chord to G power chord and then to E. At the end of the day, it’s about what feels more comfortable and sounds better to you.

There’s another pattern to be mindful of, referred to as the stand-up and be counted part, which includes sliding from B power chord back and forth, followed by strumming D and A.

In the solo section, a rhythm pattern switches between an A chord, G and D. You can choose to skip the first finger on G if that’s a more natural fit for you. The rhythm is relatively repetitive, which makes it easy to master.

An essential feature of this song is the double-timed outro, which consists of the same rhythm parts that you’ve practiced earlier, but with an increased tempo.

Ultimately, the idea is to stay positive, have fun, and keep the song recognizable. It’s okay to play it a little different to make it easier for you. Once comfortable, you may want to switch to the original way of playing. Remember, it’s about progress and not perfection. This journey of learning guitar is the destination. Strum with confidence, and let the rock spirit guide you!
Today, I’ll guide you through AC/DC’s iconic “For Those About to Rock,” demonstrating some rhythm parts of the song and sharing a few different ways of playing them. I’m a big believer that you should play in a way that makes sense and sounds good to you.

Let’s begin with the signature intro. I’m using my bridge position pickup and cutting back on the volume to give me a cleaner sound. This catchy intro involves playing the 11th fret of the first and third strings while keeping the second string open.

Start by using your middle finger on the third string at the 11th fret and your ring finger on the first string at the 11th fret. We’ll be plucking these strings with thumb, pointer finger, and ring finger, respectively. The goal is to pause between each pluck, creating a staccato effect. It’s crucial to keep a balance in volume as we pick each string. For extra control, mute the top three strings by positioning your hand’s pad part on them.

Now, focus on the unique accent pattern, where a note is highlighted followed by two quieter ones. In your mind, it should feel like ‘accent, two notes, accent, two notes’ occurring four times, ending with ‘accent, one note, accent, one note’.

As you master that pattern, start moving to the 10th fret on the first string and continue. The next movement is to the 14th fret of the first string, playing an important quick note and another one on the 12th fret. Play the entire pattern again, and you’ve nailed the intro!

Lesson two involves the rhythm and the chord parts. After the intro, we kick in with a B power chord, followed by a drop from G to F sharp to E. It’s up to you if you’d prefer to play these on open chords (G, F#, E), or as power chords.

Soon, a second chord is added in where we go from the B power chord but taking the finger off to create the slightly different sound. Now, combine these chords with the intro. Playing the B power chord and the slide upwards with a pause creates a groovy part of the song. After, you add in D and A to complete the sequence.

During the verse, there’s a playful lick, quickly transitioning between different strings. Two options—play on the fifth and fourth string using the 7th and 5th frets or form a chord out of it using the second and fourth frets.

For the section, ‘stand up and be counted,’ it’s about smoothly transitioning between the B power chord and the double D and A. Then, move to E power chord and back to A creating a distinct rhythmic pattern. There is a similar rhythm pattern for the solo section as well, moving between A, G, and D power chords.

The outro of the song involves all rhythm parts you’ve learned, doubling the tempo for an intense rock finish.

I believe in playing what sounds best to you. If a certain method or chord doesn’t sound right, change it up. Learning to play is a journey, not a destination. This iconic rock anthem by AC/DC offers various techniques, beats, and rhythm patterns that chart your progress in the world of rock guitar. Whether practicing the staccato in the intro, strumming those power chords, or perfecting that playful lick, every step helps in making you a better player.

Keep strumming, keep experimenting, and most importantly, keep having fun!

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To further expand your mastery, there are fantastic resources on chords and progressions. Click here to explore that domain. Also, if you are interested in perfecting your scales and soloing, you can find useful lessons here. Keep on rocking!