The Basic Riff and Tuning

"Hells Bells" by AC/DC opens with one of the most recognizable guitar riffs in rock music—a straightforward, heavy two-note pattern that repeats throughout the song. You can play it on a standard tuned guitar, but the song itself is tuned down a half-step, meaning every string is tuned one semitone lower than standard. If you tune down to E♭ (D♯), A♭ (G♯), D♯ (C♯), G♯ (F♯), B♭ (A♯), and E♭ (D♯), the riff will sound exactly like the recording.

If you want to play along with the original track without retuning, you can capo on the first fret and play in standard tuning—the capo shifts everything up a half-step to match. Many players prefer this method because it avoids the hassle of retuning and keeps the guitar in standard pitch for other songs.

The main riff uses only two notes: the open low E string and the third fret on that same string. In half-step down tuning, that's E♭ and G♭. The pattern is straightforward: play the open string, then the fretted note, then back to open, repeating in a steady rhythm. The key is keeping the timing tight and letting each note ring clearly without muting.

Key Takeaways

  • The main riff uses only the low E string, alternating between the open note and the third fret in a steady, repeating pattern.
  • Tune down a half-step (E♭ tuning) to match the original recording, or use a capo on the first fret in standard tuning.
  • The riff is played with a steady, even rhythm—practice the timing with a metronome before playing at full speed.
  • Angus Young's version uses palm muting and slight dynamics to add weight; start without muting, then add it once the basic pattern is solid.
  • The song repeats the same riff throughout most of the track, so once you lock in the pattern, you have the foundation of the whole song.

Playing the Riff Step by Step

Start by placing your index finger on the third fret of the low E string. Play the open E string first, then when ready fret the third fret and play it. Release the fret and return to the open string. This open-fretted-open pattern is the entire riff. The timing should be even—each note gets roughly the same duration, and the rhythm should feel like a steady pulse.

Use a metronome set to around 120 beats per minute to start. Play one note per beat, so the open-fret-open pattern takes three beats, then repeats. Once that feels natural, speed up the metronome gradually. The original recording sits around 120 BPM, so that is a good target tempo. Focus on clean transitions between the open string and the fretted note—the riff should sound crisp, not sloppy.

Your picking hand should use a steady downstroke-upstroke pattern. Downstroke on the open string, upstroke on the fretted note, downstroke back to open. This alternating motion keeps the rhythm locked in and makes the riff easier to play at speed. Avoid skipping strings or accidentally hitting adjacent strings—the riff is clean because it stays on one string.

Adding Palm Muting for Authenticity

Once you can play the basic riff cleanly, you can add palm muting to match Angus Young's tone. Palm muting means resting the edge of your picking hand's palm lightly on the strings near the bridge while you pick. This dampens the sound, creating a tighter, more percussive tone that sits heavier in a mix.

Start by muting only the open string notes, leaving the fretted notes unmuted. This creates a dynamic contrast—the open notes sound short and punchy, while the fretted notes ring out slightly longer. Play through the riff a few times with this approach, then experiment with muting both notes equally for a more uniform, aggressive sound. The original recording uses a mix of both techniques, so there is no single "correct" way—listen to the track and adjust your muting to taste.

Palm muting takes practice to control. If you mute too hard, the notes disappear entirely. If you do not mute enough, the effect is barely noticeable. Start light and gradually increase pressure until you hear the dampening effect clearly. Once you have the feel, the riff will sound much closer to the recording.

Chord Progression and Verse Playing

The verse of "Hells Bells" is built on a straightforward two-chord progression: E♭5 and B♭5 (or E5 and B5 in standard tuning with a capo). These are power chords—two-note chords made of the root note and the fifth. The main riff plays the E♭5 chord by alternating the root and fifth on the low E string, which is why it sounds so heavy and complete despite using only two notes.

To play the full chord voicing, you can add the root note on the A string (third fret in half-step down tuning) while continuing the riff on the E string. This thickens the sound without changing the basic pattern. Many live versions and covers use this fuller approach. Experiment with both the single-string riff and the two-string version to see which feels more natural for your playing style.

The B♭5 chord appears less frequently in the song but follows the same principle—root on the low E string (sixth fret in half-step down) and the fifth on the A string (sixth fret as well). The progression is not complex, so once you have the E♭5 riff down, adding the B♭5 section is a matter of moving your finger up three frets and maintaining the same rhythm.

Matching the Song's Dynamics and Structure

The intro and verse of "Hells Bells" use the main riff at a steady volume. The chorus steps up the intensity—the riff continues, but the drums and bass become more prominent, and the overall sound feels heavier. You do not need to change your playing technique here; the song's arrangement does the work. However, you can emphasize the riff slightly by picking a bit harder or reducing palm muting to let the notes ring more clearly.

The bridge section introduces a different riff pattern that moves up the fretboard, but the core idea remains the same: two notes, steady rhythm, heavy tone. Once you have the main riff locked in, learning the bridge is a matter of following the same principles on different frets. Listen to the song carefully and trace where the riff moves—this trains your ear and helps you anticipate the changes.

The outro returns to the main riff and lets it fade out. By the time you reach this point in the song, you should be comfortable enough with the pattern that playing it consistently becomes automatic. This is when you can focus on tone, dynamics, and feel rather than thinking about which fret comes next.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The most common mistake is playing the riff too fast before the basic pattern is solid. The song is not particularly fast, and rushing it makes the timing sound sloppy. Use a metronome and stay at a comfortable tempo until the pattern feels natural. Speed comes naturally once the muscle memory is there.

Another frequent issue is accidentally muting the fretted note when you do not intend to, or letting the open string ring too long and blur into the next note. This happens when your fretting hand does not release cleanly or your picking hand does not transition smoothly. Practice the open-to-fretted transition slowly, focusing on clean releases and clear attacks. Record yourself and listen back—you will hear the timing issues when ready.

Players also sometimes struggle with the tuning change. If you are new to half-step down tuning, tune carefully and double-check each string with a tuner. Tuning by ear is difficult for this shift because the difference is subtle. Once tuned, the riff should sound exactly like the recording. If it sounds off, check your tuning before assuming your playing is wrong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to tune down to play this song?

No. You can play in standard tuning and use a capo on the first fret. The riff will sound the same as the recording. Tuning down is more authentic to the original, but a capo is faster and keeps your guitar in standard pitch for other songs.

What if I only want to learn the main riff and not the whole song?

The main riff repeats throughout most of "Hells Bells," so learning just that pattern gives you the foundation of the entire song. You can play along with the recording using only the riff. Adding the verse and chorus chords comes later if you want to play the full arrangement.

Is this riff hard for beginners?

No. The riff uses only two notes on one string, so there is no complex fingering or chord changes to manage. The challenge is timing and consistency, not technique. A beginner can learn the basic pattern in a few practice sessions and play along with the song within a week or two of regular practice.

Should I use a pick or my fingers to play this riff?

A pick is the standard approach and gives you the crisp, defined tone that matches the recording. Fingerstyle is possible but less common for this riff. Stick with a pick for the clearest sound and easiest control of palm muting.

How long should I practice before I can play it at full speed?

Most players can play the basic riff cleanly at full speed within one to two weeks of regular practice, assuming 15 to 30 minutes per day. The key is consistent practice with a metronome rather than trying to play fast when ready. Once the pattern is in your muscle memory, speed happens naturally.