How To Sound EXACTLY Like AC/DC On The Drums

0:00 - Introduction
Are you playing AC/DC songs on the drums? Want to know how to sound more like Phil Rudd?

Dave Atkinson plays in an AC/DC tribute band and has analyzed the drum parts to death. He's noticed a lot of mistakes drummers make when trying to play like Phil Rudd.

Watch the video and learn how to do these songs the justice they deserve!

1. 0:53 - Using the wrong gear
It might seem obvious, but the closer your gear is to Phil Rudd's, the more you'll sound like AC/DC. Use big drums (or the right samples on an electronic kit) to get that heavy, beefy sound. Big rock cymbals are key, with lots of sustain, and a washy ride cymbal you can really lay into. If "Thunderstruck" doesn't sound thunderous, you've got work to do!

2. 03:13 - Not playing loud or with confidence
AC/DC embodies that quintessential rock sound, with drums prominent in the mix. Don't hold back - put some balls into it! This is rock and roll, so rock out, and turn up to 11.

3. 04:16 - Forgetting to master the kick and snare
AC/DC beats are simple - but why do they sound so good when Phil Rudd plays them? Forget what your teacher has told you about your bass drum technique and bury that beater to get a solid punch. You'll need a loud and consistent backbeat (let someone else worry about ghost notes) and a beefy snare crack. Rimshots will help you sound epic in the chorus, so practice them at different tempos so you nail them every time.

You'll also be playing lots of shots (bass, snare, crash) on both the downbeat and backbeat, as well as pushes on the and of 4, so make sure these are tight.

4. 07:38 - Ignoring hi-hat details
The groove lives in the kick and snare, but it's hi-hat nuances that really differentiate one song from the next. A lot of drummers miss this. Phil isn't just playing consistent 8th notes on the hi-hat in every song. Even "Thunderstruck" has dynamics on the hats. When you're learning AC/DC songs, listen carefully to how loose or tight they are on the original recording. There are many positions between 100% open and 100% closed! Figure out exactly how much pressure your hand and foot need to apply to perfectly replicate Phil Rudd's sound.

5. 10:07 - Missing key shots and fills
Because there's so much space in AC/DC songs, every shot and fill is important. For example, the intro to "Shoot To Thrill" is so iconic that if you don't play it right, the audience is going to know it. Pay careful attention to detail, just like the hi-hats. If you don't have the time or patience to map out every shot and fill, there are over 20 AC/DC song transcriptions in Drumeo Edge.

6. 11:23 - Forgetting the special effects
You may not have the resources to bring a massive bell to your gigs -or permission to use an actual cannon on stage - but you need some of those key effects to give your audience the true AC/DC experience. Dave uses a compact Roland TM-2 and a rim trigger to get his sounds for "Hell's Bells" and "For Those About To Rock".

Click the link below to download the sample files for your own kit!

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[kgunitkeese]

The irony about AC/DC is that they are a band that are very easy to imitate, but they are impossible to replicate. Another sidenote: Thunderstruck was played originally by Chris Slade, not Phil Rudd. Chris doesn’t accent the hi hat nearly as much as Phil does.

[ethanbrunt]

Phil Rudd, the master of minimalism. The notes he’s playing are easy but it’s not what you play it’s how you play it. Nobody will ever have a rock groove as good as Phil

[andrewrobinson]

"If you're gonna play a mistake, play a loud mistake" I see you've heard me play.

[axelmallet]

It's Chris Slade on Thunderstruck, not Phill Rudd

[StuPedassol]

Anybody who knows what they are talking about truly appreciates Phil's swing, even if they don't enjoy
AC/DC's music... They understand his importance.

[johnny.]

Most of the songs Phil leaves the hi hat somewhere in between open and closed. This is the biggest thing drummers don't get right.

[Max-ddow]

Whoever did the editing on this video deserves a raise!

[Cloudroth]

At 7 years old I got a 5 piece pearl drum kit and taught myself so much with just a couple AC/DC cds.

[ClinicalDecisionYikesYT]

Have a cigarette in your mouth at all times

[MrDaveAtkinson]

Yes, I realize it was Chris Slade who played on Thunderstruck and Moneytalks :)

[Marbeary]

hiding the puma name and leaving the cat on the shirt made it better for some odd reason.

[harrymichael]

Literally clicked on this for the comments LOL

[rubytuesday]

I recall seeing AC/DC on the Highway to Hell tour in around '79 and being blown away by Phil's playing on tracks like Riff Raff and Bad Boy Boogie where he just drives it along at an incredible pace for the entire track. A hell of a player.

[rubievale]

Most underestimate how hard it is to play simply yet put passion or groove into it. I'm a guitar player by trade, and the most important thing in AC/DC tunes is the space between the chords/notes. It's deceptively difficult and even more for those who write them off as easy. There's a psychological aspect to how it's delivered, the intent behind the notes, that's every bit as important as the notes themselves

[drumsNstuff]

Phil Rudd: 1974-1983
Simon Wright: 1983-1989
Chris Slade: 1989-1994, 2015-2019
Phil Rudd again: 1994-2015, 2019-present
All of them brought a great backbeat to the band and had a similar style.

[Max-ddow]

I love Phil, I don’t think people realize that you can do a simple beat and it will make a difference.

Yes, someone like Danny Carey is cool or should I say (tool)

But Phil really drives every song home with a nice and easy beat everytine

[KMurphyDrummer]

It’s about time someone gave Phil the respect he deserves! Yeah, Chris Slade thunderstruck, blah blah blah “hey, guess what you made a mistake”. who cares? Great video on one of the most underrated drummers in Rock N Roll. Before every single show I play. I jam AC/DC loud! Usually start with “Rosie”, go to “Sin City”, then some “Beatin Around The Bush” maybe even get Beavis and Butthead nostalgic and listen to some “Gone Shootin”. Great job sir!

[BrianH]

Grew up on Phil's playing in the late 70s and early 80s, cut my drumming teeth on Highway to Hell and Back in Black albums. The greatest thing about Phil (and almost every other great drummer, but someone like Kenny Aronoff comes to mind), is that even playing 'straight 8ths' rock, you can *feel* the swing. No disrespect to Chris Slade, who's a fantastic drummer, but he just doesn't have the same feel, particularly on the hats, that Phil does. It's like Ringo, many can attempt to copy, but no one else was more perfect for their respective bands than Ringo and Phil.. Oh maybe throw in Mick Fleetwood too on that one..

[paulrevelli]

You really nailed it, sir. Probably a no-brainer, but getting the right tempo for each song can make or break it.

[soysantim]

Dave has so much charisma, love his videos.