Big Gun by AC/DC
AC/DC’s Big Gun is a hard-hitting rock anthem that exemplifies the band's signature style — punchy riffs, driving rhythms, and electrifying guitar tones. At Licklibrary, we’ve broken down every note and nuance of this powerhouse track to bring you an in-depth note-for-note guitar lesson, helping players of all levels master the song and its standout guitar techniques. Whether you're a budding guitarist or an advanced player looking to tighten up your chops, this lesson delivers essential skills that will elevate your playing across the board. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.
About the Song
Originally released in 1993 as part of the Last Action Hero movie soundtrack, Big Gun showcases everything that makes AC/DC a timeless rock band. The track opens with a crushing riff that grabs attention instantly and is followed by groove-laden verses, a catchy chorus, and high-voltage solos. The playing is raw, tight, and bursting with rock 'n' roll energy.
This lesson will walk you through every section of the song, from the gritty rhythm parts to the lead licks that capture Angus Young's explosive style.
Guitarists on the Track
Big Gun features the unmistakable guitar work of Angus Young and Malcolm Young — two of the most iconic guitarists in rock history. Angus brings his signature blues-infused lead guitar tone and expressive phrasing to the solo sections, while Malcolm drives the song with his impeccably tight and powerful rhythm guitar playing.
Angus’s influence on rock and metal guitarists is monumental. His fiery solos and energetic stage presence have inspired generations of players, while Malcolm’s precision and rhythm mastery provide the foundation for the AC/DC sound. Learning this track gives players insight into their unique interplay and the genius of simplicity combined with musical aggression.
Techniques Featured in the Lesson
Power Chords
The backbone of Big Gun is built on classic power chords, delivering a strong, punchy feel perfect for rock rhythm playing. These chords are ideal for beginners and a must-have for any rock or metal guitarist.
Why it matters: Learning power chords gives guitarists the ability to play countless rock songs and understand the driving force behind rhythm guitar. They’re foundational, versatile, and easy to transpose across the fretboard.
Palm Muting
Tight, aggressive rhythm playing is achieved through strategic use of palm muting. In this lesson, you'll learn how to control your tone and dynamics by muting the strings with your picking hand to create that percussive chug synonymous with hard rock.
Why it matters: Palm muting enhances rhythm control and articulation, essential for tight riffing in rock, metal, and punk styles.
String Bending
Angus Young’s solo features expressive string bending to emphasise melodic lines. You'll be guided through various types of bends, ensuring your intonation is spot-on.
Why it matters: Mastering bending helps you play with emotion and precision, and it's key to replicating vocal-like phrasing on the guitar.
Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs
The solo and lead fills include fluid hammer-ons and pull-offs, helping you achieve smoother legato lines that Angus is known for.
Why it matters: These techniques boost speed and fluidity in your solos, allowing for more expressive playing with less effort.
Slides
Guitar slides are used in both rhythm and lead parts of Big Gun, adding a gritty, blues-rock flavour. You'll learn how to execute smooth slides to transition between notes and riffs.
Why it matters: Slides bring character to your playing and are crucial for adding feel and dynamics to your phrasing.
Vibrato
Angus's signature touch includes expressive vibrato that adds depth to sustained notes. In this lesson, you’ll develop control over your vibrato to bring your lead playing to life.
Why it matters: A well-developed vibrato is one of the most expressive tools in a guitarist’s arsenal and separates robotic playing from emotionally engaging performance.
Alternate Picking
Some of the riffing and faster lead parts utilise alternate picking, helping players maintain speed and control when playing across strings.
Why it matters: This picking style increases speed and precision, and it's crucial for executing fast riffs cleanly and efficiently.
Summary
The Big Gun guitar lesson from Licklibrary is more than just a song tutorial — it’s a comprehensive study of essential rock guitar techniques. By breaking down the playing styles of Angus and Malcolm Young, this lesson provides invaluable insights into rhythm tightness, melodic phrasing, and expressive lead playing. Whether you're aiming to build your technique, tighten your rhythm playing, or learn how to solo like a rock legend, this lesson gives you the tools to do it all.
Techniques Used in the 'Big Gun' Guitar Lesson
Explore these techniques in context with Big Gun and build your guitar skills with confidence.
About The Tutor
Tutor Profile
Danny Gill
Danny Gill is, without a doubt, the most loved tutor by our community. With an incredible array of DVDs and web lessons for LickLibrary covering a wide variety of topics all of which he covers with incredible detail, it's no wonder he carries as much respect as he does. As...