Dog Eat Dog by AC/DC - Guitar Lesson Description

AC/DC’s Dog Eat Dog is a hard-hitting, riff-driven track from their 1977 album Let There Be Rock. Known for its raw energy, powerful groove, and signature blues-rock aggression, this song captures the essence of AC/DC’s classic sound. The combination of tight rhythm playing, fiery lead work, and anthemic power chords makes it a great track for guitarists looking to refine their rock guitar skills.

At Licklibrary.com, our note-for-note guitar lesson on Dog Eat Dog breaks down the key techniques that drive this song, including power chords, palm muting, string bending, and vibrato. These essential skills are fundamental for any guitarist wanting to develop a strong foundation in classic rock playing. This lesson is taught by Danny Gill.

Technique Breakdown

Power Chords

Power chords form the backbone of AC/DC’s signature sound, providing the foundation for their massive, arena-filling riffs. Dog Eat Dog relies heavily on power chords to create its driving rhythm and punchy, aggressive tone.

Mastering power chords improves a guitarist’s ability to play rhythmically tight and dynamically powerful parts. These simple yet effective shapes are a staple of rock and metal playing, helping to create a solid, full-bodied guitar tone. Learning to transition smoothly between power chords also enhances left-hand dexterity and overall fretboard fluency.

Palm Muting

Palm muting is a crucial technique for controlling dynamics and adding groove to rhythm guitar playing. In Dog Eat Dog, palm muting is used to tighten up the chord progressions, creating contrast between the muted, percussive sections and the open, ringing power chords.

Developing a strong palm muting technique improves picking-hand control, articulation, and timing. It allows guitarists to add texture to their playing, making their riffs sound more dynamic and engaging. Palm muting is a key element in rock and metal, helping to create rhythmic clarity and punchy, defined riffing.

String Bending

Angus Young’s lead guitar work in Dog Eat Dog features expressive string bending, a technique that gives solos a vocal-like quality. By bending a string to reach the desired pitch, guitarists can add emotion and fluidity to their lead lines.

Practicing string bending helps improve finger strength, control, and pitch accuracy. It is an essential technique for creating expressive lead guitar phrases, allowing players to inject personality and emotion into their solos. Learning how to control bends precisely also enhances overall fretboard mastery.

Vibrato

Vibrato is one of the defining characteristics of Angus Young’s playing style. This technique involves subtly bending and releasing a note repeatedly to create a smooth, singing quality. In Dog Eat Dog, vibrato adds sustain and depth to the lead guitar parts, making them stand out with extra expression.

Developing a solid vibrato technique improves finger strength, note control, and overall expressiveness. Vibrato adds warmth and life to solos, helping guitarists develop their unique playing voice. It’s a crucial skill for achieving a professional, polished sound in rock and blues solos.

The Influence of Angus and Malcolm Young

Dog Eat Dog is a prime example of the powerful partnership between Malcolm and Angus Young. Malcolm’s rock-solid rhythm playing provides the song’s foundation, while Angus’s fiery lead work brings the track to life. Together, their playing creates a raw, electrifying sound that defines AC/DC’s musical identity.

Malcolm Young’s rhythm guitar work is legendary for its precision and groove. His ability to craft tight, punchy riffs with minimalistic power chord shapes set the standard for rock rhythm guitar. Meanwhile, Angus Young’s bluesy, high-energy solos and aggressive stage presence have made him one of the most influential lead guitarists in rock history.

Why Learn Dog Eat Dog?

Learning Dog Eat Dog is an excellent way to develop essential rock guitar techniques while playing one of AC/DC’s classic tracks. This song provides a great workout for rhythm playing, lead guitar phrasing, and dynamic control. The combination of power chords, palm muting, string bending, and vibrato makes it a must-learn for any guitarist looking to improve their rock playing skills.

By mastering this lesson, you’ll not only be able to play Dog Eat Dog with confidence but also gain valuable techniques that will enhance your overall guitar playing. Whether you’re looking to refine your rhythm work, add more expression to your solos, or simply channel the energy of AC/DC, this lesson is a great addition to your repertoire.

Guitar Techniques in This Lesson

The following techniques are covered in this lesson and can be explored further in the Licklibrary glossary:

• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• String Bending
• Vibrato

By incorporating these techniques into your playing, you’ll not only be able to perform Dog Eat Dog authentically but also develop a solid foundation for mastering other rock classics. Get started with this lesson at Licklibrary.com and bring the raw energy of AC/DC to your playing.