Power chords

what are they?

Power chords are a type of chord typically associated with the electric guitar and genres such as rock, metal and punk, although they appear in many other styles as well and can be used to good effect on an acoustic.

Generally chords require 3 or more notes, but power chords only have 2 notes, and therefore are not technically full chords. Most chords use the root, 3rd and 5th scale degrees, whereas power chords do not use the 3rd. It is not important to understand what this means to use power chords, just be aware that in practical terms the 3rd dictates if a chord is major or minor, so without one a power chord is more versatile and generally easier to hold.

Power chords can also be called fifth chords. When written down they use the root and number 5 for their name such as A5, Bb5 and so on.

shapes

There are many voicings/shapes that can be used to make a power chord but by far the most common are those based on the root note being on the low E-string or the A-string. The voicings below are all moveable chord shapes, meaning you can keep your fingers in the same position and change to a different chord by simply moving the shape up and down the neck.

The examples below show both 2 string and 3 string voicings - 2 string voicings are easier to hold and only use the root and 5th, whilst the 3 string version uses the root, 5th and then the root again but an octave higher. 3 string power chords create a slightly fuller sound but can be a bit trickier to hold, especially for smaller fingers.

E root voicing

The chord diagrams above show 3 string, 2 string and open string versions of an E root power chord. The diagrams are not fret specific and can be played anywhere on the fretboard. Whatever note is being held on the low E-string tells us what chord is being played. For example if you are holding the 3rd fret on the low E - which is the note G - you will be playing a G power chord, or a G5 chord.

The open string example is included to show how you would play an E power chord using the E root version. As our root would now be the open string we simply have to hold the 2nd fret on the A and D strings for the 3 string version and just the A string for the 2 string version.

The below examples are A root power chords:

A root voicing

A-string root power chords are essentially the same as E-string ones, we just move everything down a string with our root note reference now being found on the A-string. This means if we put our root on the 3rd fret again we would now be playing a C power chord as the 3rd fret of the A-string is a C. Note how this voicing requires avoiding not just the thinner strings but also the low E-string.

For this voicing our open power chord is now an A5 chord

technique

Below are a few general pointers to consider when playing power chords:

For these chord shapes you always want to use your first finger to hold the root note and your 3rd finger and pinky to hold the other 2 notes - or just your 3rd finger if using a 2 string version. It's important to maintain the fret gap between the 1st finger and the others.
It is really beneficial to know the notes on the low E and A strings to be able to find power chords quickly.
Using the 'spare' fingers of your fretting hand to mute the unwanted strings is an essential part of playing power chords so you can strum more freely without worrying about avoiding certain strings. This is especially important using an A root voicing to avoid hitting the low E string.
Palm muting is often used with power chords - if you are unsure what this is ask your tutor.
Some classic power chord songs include:
- Smell Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana
- Song 2 by Blur
- Basket Case by Green Day
- Rolling in the Deep by Adele