The Basic Riff and Tuning

Back in Black by AC/DC is built on a single, repeating riff that you can learn in one practice session. The song uses standard tuning, so if your guitar is already tuned to E-A-D-G-B-E, you are ready to start. The entire riff sits on the low E string and uses only four frets, making it one of the most beginner-friendly rock songs to learn.

The riff plays the same pattern over and over: fret 5, fret 7, fret 5, fret 7, then fret 5, fret 7, fret 5, fret 8. Each note gets one beat, and the whole sequence repeats every four beats. Play it slowly at first—around 60 beats per minute—and focus on hitting the frets cleanly without buzzing or muting the string accidentally. Once the finger positions feel natural, you can gradually speed up to match the original recording, which sits around 120 beats per minute.

Key Takeaways

  • The main riff uses only the low E string and four frets (5, 7, 8), so you do not need to switch strings or learn complex fingerings.
  • Play each note with a downstroke, keeping a steady rhythm and letting each note ring clearly before moving to the next fret.
  • Start at a slow tempo and use a metronome to build speed gradually—rushing the timing is the most common mistake beginners make.
  • The song repeats the same riff throughout most of the track, so once you nail the pattern, you have learned the core of the song.

Finger Placement and Picking Technique

Use your index finger for fret 5 and fret 7, and your middle finger for fret 8. This keeps your hand in one position and lets you move between the three frets without stretching. Rest your thumb on the back of the neck for stability, and keep your wrist straight rather than bent—a bent wrist tires your hand quickly and makes it harder to hit the frets accurately.

Pick each note with a downstroke using a standard guitar pick held between your thumb and index finger. The pick should strike the string at a slight angle, not flat against it. Press down firmly enough that the note sounds clear, but not so hard that you dig into the string and create unwanted noise. The goal is a clean, punchy tone that matches the original recording.

Building Speed Without Losing Accuracy

A metronome is essential for learning this riff at the right pace. Set it to 60 beats per minute and play the pattern five times through without stopping. Once you can do that cleanly, increase the tempo by 5 beats per minute and repeat. This gradual approach takes longer than trying to jump straight to full speed, but it trains your fingers to move accurately at higher tempos instead of developing sloppy habits you will have to unlearn later.

If you stumble at a particular tempo, drop back down 10 beats per minute and spend two or three minutes there before trying to move up again. Muscle memory builds through repetition at a speed where you can play without mistakes—not by pushing yourself to play faster than your fingers can handle. Most players reach full speed within a week of daily 15-minute practice sessions.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The most frequent error is muting the string with your fretting hand while moving between frets. This happens when your fingers press down too hard or stay in contact with the string as you shift positions. The fix is to lift your fingers completely off the fretboard between notes, then place them back down cleanly on the next fret. This takes a fraction of a second and prevents the dead, muted sound that breaks the riff's rhythm.

Another common problem is playing the notes unevenly—some faster, some slower—which makes the riff sound sloppy even if you are hitting the right frets. A metronome forces you to stay locked to a steady beat. If you find yourself rushing ahead of the metronome, consciously slow down and listen to the click before you play each note. Rushing usually means you are playing faster than you can control, so drop the tempo back down.

Adding Rhythm and Dynamics

Once you can play the riff cleanly at full speed, add slight variations in how hard you pick each note. The original recording emphasizes the first note of each four-note group with a harder downstroke, then plays the remaining notes slightly softer. This creates a sense of groove and makes the riff sound more like the record instead of a mechanical repetition of the same volume.

You can also experiment with muting the string briefly between notes by relaxing your fretting hand just enough to stop the note from ringing, but not so much that you lose contact with the fretboard. This technique, called palm muting, adds a percussive quality to the riff and is used in the original song. Start without it, and once the basic riff feels solid, try adding light muting to the second and fourth notes of each group.

Playing Along with the Recording

After you can play the riff at full speed without mistakes, play along with the original AC/DC recording. This trains your ear to match the exact tone and timing of the song. Start the recording and play only the intro riff section—the first 30 seconds or so—until you feel locked in with the drums and bass. Then stop and take a break.

Playing along is harder than playing alone because you cannot slow down or pause if you make a mistake. If you fall out of time, stop playing, listen to the recording for a few beats to re-sync, then jump back in. This teaches you to recover quickly if you stumble during a live performance or jam session. Spend 5 to 10 minutes a day playing along with the recording once you have the riff down.

Expanding Beyond the Main Riff

The verse and chorus of Back in Black use the same riff repeated over different chord progressions in the bass and drums. Once you master the main riff, you already know how to play most of the song. The bridge section introduces a slight variation where the pattern shifts up to frets 7, 9, 7, 9, then 7, 9, 7, 10—the same shape, just moved up two frets. Use the same finger placement and picking technique, and the transition feels natural.

If you want to learn the full song including the lead guitar solos, those require bending strings and using techniques beyond the basic riff. But the rhythm part—the part that drives the song—is the riff you have already learned, played over and over with slight dynamic changes. Mastering the riff is the foundation, and everything else builds from there.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to learn the Back in Black riff?

Most players can play the basic riff cleanly within three to five days of 15-minute daily practice sessions. Reaching full speed and matching the original recording takes another week or two. The timeline depends on how often you practice and whether you use a metronome—consistent, focused practice cuts the learning time in half compared to casual playing.

Do I need an electric guitar or can I use acoustic?

You can learn the riff on either electric or acoustic, though electric is easier because the strings are thinner and closer to the fretboard, requiring less finger strength. Acoustic strings are thicker and require more pressure to fret cleanly, which can make your fingers sore during the first week. If you only have an acoustic, start with shorter practice sessions and gradually build up your finger strength.

What if I keep hitting the wrong frets?

Slow down to a tempo where you can play the riff three times in a row without a single mistake. Stay at that speed for several days before speeding up. Mistakes usually mean you are playing faster than your fingers can track the fretboard. Once your muscle memory locks in the fret positions at a slower speed, your fingers will find them automatically at higher tempos.

Should I use a pick or my fingers?

Use a pick for this song. The original recording uses a pick, and it produces the sharp, punchy tone that defines the riff. Fingerstyle playing produces a softer tone and makes it harder to play at the fast tempo of the original. A standard medium-gauge pick works well—avoid very thin picks, which can feel floppy and make it harder to control the attack.

Can I play this riff on a different string?

Yes, you can move the riff to the A string or D string using the same finger positions and picking technique. The pattern stays the same—fret 5, 7, 5, 7, 5, 7, 5, 8—just on a different string. However, the low E string is the original, and it produces the deep, heavy tone that makes Back in Black sound like Back in Black. Stick with the low E string unless you have a specific reason to move it.