This is for all AC / DC fans. Here's the most accurate guide out there for rockin 'like Angus Young. This guide includes everything you need to know, from your picking style to your appearance and movements.
Steps
Step 1. First things first, this article is written with the assumption that you already know how to play the guitar
If you don't know, check out other articles on how to buy a guitar and learn the following chords: A, Re, Mi, Mi5, which is a simpler way than the simple E and Sol. With these chords you can play the main riffs of various classics. of AC / DC like "Highway to Hell", "Back in Black" and "TNT".
Step 2. Buy a guitar
You don't need an expensive guitar to rock. But if you have enough money, buy a Gibson SG '68, which is the guitar that Angus Young plays with. You can get one for around $ 1500-2500. If this is out of your reach, try to find a guitar with humbucker pickups, as single coil pickups (sigle-coil) will not achieve the Angus sound. Old style dual coil ("PAF") pickups are ideal, so those are the ones to look for. An ultra modern pickup like the EMG would be inappropriate for trying to copy Angus's tone. Use the bridge pickup for most rhythm guitars and solos. For a more bluesy tone, use both pickups and turn the neck pickup tone knob down to about 6.
Step 3. You will also need an amp and cable to connect your guitar to it (unless you are serious and want a wireless transmitter
). Angus uses classic Marshall brand tube amps, like the JTM45 model and the old 50-watt Master Volume. In live performances, he uses 100-watt Marshall heads with gain at 6, but for solos he uses 50-watt heads with gain at 10, turning down the power to match the volume.
Step 4. Use the pick like Angus
One of the most distinctive characteristics of Angus Young's style is the way he uses his plectrum. It uses a very heavy gauge plectrum. Hold the plectrum so that the bottom shows about the width of a pencil. Play the strings very aggressively, but don't let them hum.
Step 5. Copy the Angus vibrato
He has a very strong left hand and it takes some practice to get there. Put emotion when playing; Don't play like Clapton, but don't play like you're playing metal either. His solos are quite bluesy in style. His vibrato is usually not moving his wrist from side to side (in the style of B. B. King), but rather moving the string up and down.
Step 6. Don't crank up your amp's distortion
Angus leaves almost all of his amp's knobs at 5, except when he occasionally turns the mids up to 6! Its sound is surprisingly clean and dynamic. The sound should be clear, but harsh. If you're using a Fender amp, be sure to turn the mids all the way up to achieve a Marshall-like sound. A tube amp will have a more sensitive feel to the touch and will bridge the fine line between clean and dirty sound more easily than a transistor amp will ever be able to. A Peavey Classic 30 amp (or something similar) is a good option if you're short on budget. Angus doesn't use any distortion or boost pedals (not even for solos), so avoid them if you want to achieve an authentic tone. If you must necessarily use a pedal, use one with a slight overdrive (rather than distortion).
Step 7. Solos on pentatonic and hexatonic scales
He is a man who plays the blues!
- Before starting the solo at the beginning of "Thunderstruck" (or any other solo), raise your pick up to the sky as high as you can. Show your weapon, the key that unlocks the vault of all great rock.
- You will notice that while playing any guitar solo, Angus will perform some of his signature dances. The most popular by far is the one where you lift your heels leaving your toes on the ground. (For those of you who have played in a marching band, it's like setting the beat.) Start with your left foot or right foot, as you prefer, but once you start, continue with the following sequence: left, left, right, right, left, left, right, right … and so on. (This is going to be difficult if you've played in a marching band and have “left, right, left, right…” engraved) Angus makes his dance look easy, but it's incredibly difficult to do while playing guitar. The fact that he never misses a single note in live concerts while performing spectacular stunts on stage attests to his immense skill.
Step 8. Get the hair
You don't need to grow your hair out, but it will help you achieve the full rock 'n' roll feel. If you do, be sure to shake your head a lot to show off those fantastic locks.
Step 9. Movement
Obviously, you will also have to learn the "duck walk" to accompany those impressive solos. And don't forget the headbanging, shaking your head twice with your head raised, twice with your head down, and repeating this pattern several times. In addition, you must look your audience in the eye and achieve impressive expressions. If you manage to do all of this throughout an entire song and if you do it correctly, you should end up drenched in sweat.
Advice
- Don't be mad if you get tangled up. Angus' signature move known as spasm (spasm) was invented when he tripped over a wire while soloing during a show… and kept playing!
- Let the lower note strings sound when playing open string chords for a rougher sound.
- Marshall tube amps cost $ 3,000. But you can put together a good mix of rock equipment for less money. Look for cheap amps like the Vox Valvetronix and hook up equipment like a Big Muff brand distortion pedal and a boost pedal. That combination is very versatile and can produce an AC / DC-like rock sound.
- Don't worry too much if you don't sound like Angus the first time you try it; it takes practice to achieve it.
- Get the school outfit with a hat and tie to dress like them, but not in live performances. And practice, practice and practice.
- If you find it difficult to dance like him, invent your own style! If you ever become famous, people will not respect your dance imitation.
Warnings
- Don't crank your amp gain all the way! Never!
- Don't imitate everything. Make up your own signature moves to go along with your new Angus style. Don't be afraid to experiment!