Power chords made easy

Sixstring · Kitten Joined: 28 Dec 2001 Posts: 140

Not to step on PunkStar's toes, but someone asked about power chords so I thought I'd chime in. A major chord consists of three tones- I, III, V. A power chord simply omits the III and plays a I, V. I've explained the theory behind chords in this thread already, so I won't repeat myself.

Power chords are sometimes referred to as R5 (root,five) or are named specifically for the root, such as E5, A5, C5, and so on. Basically, if you fret the E string at the 3rd fret with your index finger, and fret the A string at the fifth fret with your ring finger, you have just played a G5 power chord. Typically you'll want to hit these heavy so they ring together, but avoid hitting the other strings, or mute them. That will give it a strong punch.

I never advise anyone to limit themselves to only power chords, but they do have their place in certain styles of music.

PunkStar · Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 12:10 am Post subject:

No problem, you've actually saved me a bit of work. I've been working on the harmonics lesson anyway. So I'm glad to see you've got something up for us.

But I might just add a bit more for us.

As Sixstring said. A power chord is constructed by using the 1st (root) and 5th note in the major scale. So a G powerchord is made up of the G note and the 5th note in G's major scale. Which would be D. And that technically makes up a power chord (fifth chord). But often we add the note which is an octave above the root note. Adding this note just seems to finish off the chord and make it sound more complete. It's not theoretically correct, but that's just what happens.

Often a powerchord looks like this.

D------5---
A----5------
E 3---------

You can often just slide that shape around the fretboard, and you will have a good powerchord. Just remember that the lowest note you play will be the root note and therefore will be the name of the chord.

Again, thanks for saving me the time Sixstring.

pretty.rock.machine · Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 11:13 am Post subject:

Thanks, that actually shedded a bit of light on it for me. I was just interested in them because I have seen a lot of tabs were the entire song is completely power chords. (A lot of AFI's older stuff).
I just have trouble with them because I have small hands and it takes a lot to stretch my fingers that far. I'm working on it. Luckly, I think my left hand has more flexiblity than my right... which is strange cause I'm right handed...
Is there any excerises or ways to get more flexibility?