Givin The Dog A Bone – AC/DC

AC/DC’s “Givin The Dog A Bone”, from their iconic Back in Black album, is a masterclass in hard rock rhythm and lead guitar work. At Licklibrary.com, we break down this high-octane track note for note, giving guitarists of all levels the chance to channel the raw energy and tight musicianship of one of the greatest rock bands of all time. In this lesson, players will not only learn how to play every riff and lick accurately, but also develop essential guitar techniques that form the backbone of classic rock guitar playing. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Guitarists on the Track

The song features the legendary guitar duo Angus Young and Malcolm Young. Malcolm's rhythm playing was the bedrock of AC/DC’s sound—precise, powerful, and relentlessly tight. Angus, on the other hand, brought fiery solos and an uncontainable energy to every track. Together, they created a guitar sound that is instantly recognisable: simple yet electrifying, raw yet incredibly effective. Angus’s lead work is a textbook example of feel, phrasing, and controlled aggression, while Malcolm's understated brilliance continues to influence rhythm players across all genres.

Song Breakdown and Techniques

Power Chords and Open-String Riffs

The intro and main riff of Givin The Dog A Bone make heavy use of power chords and strategically placed open-string riffs. These elements create a thick, aggressive sound while allowing space and groove to breathe. Learning these techniques helps players develop strong timing and understand how to make simple ideas sound massive.

Palm Muting for Rhythmic Precision

Throughout the song, palm muting is used to tighten up chord hits and inject punch into the riffs. This technique adds a percussive quality to your playing and is vital for mastering rhythm guitar in any rock or metal context.

Slides and Bluesy Bends

Angus Young’s bluesy lead work is front and center in the solo, with frequent use of expressive slides and bluesy bends. These techniques add vocal-like phrasing and emotion, making solos sing and resonate. Developing these skills is essential for any guitarist aiming to infuse their playing with feel and dynamics.

String Bending and Vibrato

A key part of Angus’s expressive style is his tasteful string bending, often followed by controlled vibrato. These two techniques go hand in hand to give notes sustain and life. Mastery of bending and vibrato can dramatically elevate your lead playing, making even simple phrases sound powerful and emotive.

Double Stops for Classic Rock Grit

Another hallmark of the solo section is the use of double stops. These two-note combinations create a thick, harmonically rich texture that is ideal for cutting through a band mix. Learning to play clean and in tune with double stops is a crucial step for soloing in blues, rock, and country styles.

Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

Within both the rhythm and lead passages, you'll find hammer-ons and pull-offs used to articulate quick notes and add fluidity to the phrasing. These techniques are foundational for speed, economy of motion, and expressive phrasing.

Why Learn This Song?

Givin The Dog A Bone is a fantastic track for intermediate players looking to sharpen their rhythm chops while exploring expressive soloing techniques. The song is rooted in blues and rock 'n' roll tradition, but distilled into a compact, powerful package that’s ideal for real-world gigging, jamming, or recording. By learning this song, guitarists not only add a killer tune to their repertoire but also build the muscle memory, timing, and stylistic nuance that define great rock playing.

Techniques Covered in This Lesson

Below is a list of all the guitar techniques taught in this lesson. Click each one to dive deeper and build your foundational knowledge:

• Power Chords
• Open-String Riffs
• Palm Muting
• Slides
• Bluesy Bends
• String Bending
• Vibrato
• Double Stops
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs

By tackling this AC/DC classic, you’re not just learning a song—you’re internalising decades of guitar wisdom and expanding your arsenal of expressive rock guitar techniques. Ready to plug in, turn up, and tear into it? Let’s get started.