That wall-of-sound crunch on “Back in Black” sounds like it took years to earn. It didn’t.
AC/DC built their catalog on a few power chords and a hard, steady right hand. That’s great news if you’ve only played a few weeks.
These songs reward locking into the groove, since Angus Young plays loud, not fast. We’ll work through ten tracks that won’t fight back, with a note on the skill each one drills.
Want more starter material? These best beginner songs to learn on guitar cover other styles, but first let’s start with the easy AC/DC songs.
Easy AC/DC Songs for Beginner Guitar
1. Back in Black
“Back in Black” is one of AC/DC’s most recognizable songs, and it’s built on blues-rooted riffing that’s slower and more melodic than a lot of straight-ahead punk rock. The guitar sound comes directly from Angus Young’s Gibson SG, which gives the riff its thick, melodic tone over the drums and bass line.
For beginners, the main riff is a great exercise in clean timing and muting between notes. Start slow, lock in with the beat, and the rest of the song falls into place.
2. You Shook Me All Night Long
Released on the 1980 album Back in Black, this is one of the most popular songs AC/DC ever made. One of Angus Young’s signature solos sits near the beginning, built around power chords and distortion that move from low to high notes for an epic sound.
The song is short but punchy, and the rhythm parts are very beginner-friendly. Learn the chord shapes first, then add the lead lines once the rhythm feels automatic.
3. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
This is one of AC/DC’s more famous songs, and the main riff is genuinely fun to play while still generating a powerful sound. It’s been featured in countless video games and movies, which has given it an almost legendary reputation.
The riff repeats in a way that makes it easy to memorize, so it’s a great tune for building confidence early on.
4. Highway to Hell
“Highway to Hell” is a little harder to learn, but it’s extremely satisfying once it clicks. The challenge is that the bass line and the riff move together, so timing matters more than usual.
Practice the chord changes slowly until the transitions are clean, then bring the tempo up. It’s a great song to play at a jam or solo because it sounds terrific even at a relaxed pace.
5. T.N.T.
“T.N.T.” is a beginner favorite because the riff is simple and instantly recognizable. The “oi, oi, oi” rhythm gives you an easy anchor to count against, and the chord work is minimal.
It’s slightly challenging to keep the groove tight, but a little repetition gets you there quickly.
6. It’s a Long Way to the Top
This one may feel hard at first, but it becomes a lot of fun once you get the hang of it. It’s fairly fast-paced, though not impossible to keep up with.
The best approach is to start slow with a metronome and gradually work your speed up. Practicing it with other beginners makes the rhythm parts easier to lock in.
7. Rock N Roll Train
A modern AC/DC classic, “Rock N Roll Train” is a great song for developing core rock guitar skills. It’s a little tricky to begin with, but once you have it down it’s a fun one to show off.
Focus on clean power-chord changes and a steady strumming hand, and the rest comes with repetition.
8. Who Made Who
“Who Made Who” is another strong song for building skill because it teaches you how separate guitar parts work together. The rhythm section is a fairly basic AC/DC pattern, so once you’ve mastered it you can move on to harder songs quickly.
The solo section asks for more skill, but that challenge is what makes it worth practicing.
9. Moneytalks
“Moneytalks” is a great song to work on while you’re still getting comfortable. It’s a little challenging at first, but it’s excellent for developing timing and coordination.
The tune is upbeat and easy to stay engaged with, and that rebellious electric guitar riff makes it fun to keep coming back to.
10. Hard as a Rock
“Hard as a Rock” puts your skills to the test with busier strumming patterns and plenty of notes, but it isn’t actually a difficult song. It’s forgiving and hard to mess up, which makes it a great one to start with.
Use it to tighten up your strumming hand and your sense of rhythm.
Why AC/DC Songs Are Great for Beginners
AC/DC built their sound on a small number of power chords, big open spacing, and rhythm parts that repeat. That combination is ideal for a beginner: you can learn a couple of chord shapes and a strumming pattern and immediately play something that sounds like the record.
Because the songs prioritize feel over technical flash, they also train the habits that matter most early on - clean chord changes, consistent timing, and a relaxed strumming hand. Master a handful of these and you’ll have a foundation you can carry into harder material.
When you’re ready for more, check out these beginner Nirvana guitar songs too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are AC/DC songs easy to play on guitar?
Many of them are, which is exactly why they show up on so many beginner lists. AC/DC relies heavily on power chords and repeating riffs rather than complex chord shapes or fast lead runs, so the rhythm parts are very approachable.
The solos and a few faster songs are harder, but you can play the core of most AC/DC songs with just a handful of chords and steady timing.
What’s the easiest AC/DC song to learn first?
“T.N.T.” and “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” are two of the friendliest starting points because their main riffs are simple and highly repetitive. “Back in Black” is also a popular first riff once you’re comfortable muting between notes.
Pick whichever one you enjoy most - motivation matters more than difficulty when you’re starting out.
Do I need a distortion pedal to sound like AC/DC?
You don’t strictly need a pedal, but some overdrive or distortion gets you much closer to the AC/DC tone. Angus Young’s sound comes largely from a cranked tube amp rather than heavy effects, so even a small amount of gain works well.
If your amp has a built-in overdrive or gain channel, start there before buying anything extra.
What guitar did Angus Young use?
Angus Young is closely associated with the Gibson SG, which gives much of AC/DC’s catalog its thick, biting tone. The SG’s lighter body and high fret access also suit his energetic playing style.
You don’t need an SG to play these songs, though - any electric guitar with a bit of gain will let you learn the riffs.
Final Thoughts
A beginner can master all of these songs with steady practice. If you’ve picked up new chords along the way, you should be getting comfortable playing them by now.
When you mess up - and everyone does - don’t get discouraged. Just slow down and try the section again.
Practicing on your own is one of the most important ways to become a good guitarist, and AC/DC’s catalog gives you fun, motivating material to do it with. Start with the simplest riffs, build up your timing, and work toward the trickier songs as your confidence grows.
Before long you’ll have a setlist of rock classics you can actually play.
