How to Play and Use Power Chords

September 4, 2023 by Klaus Crow

The primal feelings that derive from strumming power chords on a guitar that’s plugged into a great sounding amp or distortion, is what makes you wanna play the instrument over and over again. Add a drummer and bass player on top of that experience and superb feelings of euphoria will unfold.

Power chords are indeed powerful and that’s why they are mainly used in rock music, metal or any type of music that consists of electric guitars and distortion. However during the 90s a lot of rock bands started shifting the power chords to the acoustic guitars due to the MTV’s unplugged series, which set the stage for a new area on the acoustic guitar.

The power chord is a fairly easy chord to play, especially on an electric guitar or when played higher up the neck. It’s a moveable chord shape, that can be played in every key just by moving it up and down the fretboard (explained later).

This is why a lot of guitar players love to play rock music. The use of just one chord shape moving around the guitar neck throughout the entire song makes playing rhythm guitar quite accessible for the eager rock beginners.

Playing Power chords

When you play open chords in classic rock music, blues or country rock, the use of distortion or gain is added carefully with just the right amount of flavor to create a more fatter, bluesier or rougher sound.

But when you go into full distortion playing open chords the sound will shatter and become undefinable. Even a bad ass rock guitar player won’t feel comfortable with that kind of blurry noise.

This is where the power chord comes in. The power chord gives you back the control you need and gives you a solid and tight sound while still maintaining that rough and bold attitude.

Chord Analysis

A normal major chord consists of the root (1), 3rd and 5th note of the major scale, a minor chord consists of the root (1), flatted 3rd, and 5th note. You can see the power chord leaves out the (flatted) 3rd and consists only of the root (1st note) and 5th note of the major scale (1 + 5).

Let’s take a look at the first chord on the left in the diagrams below. This is a G power chord, also known as G5. The Root note (number 1 in the dot) determines the name of the chord. Together with the 5th note of the major scale you get the name G5.

Place your index finger on the 3rd fret Low E-string (6th string), this is a “G” note, so it’s a G5 chord. Your third finger is on the 5th fret A-string, this is a “D” note and is the 5th note of the major scale. And finally your fourth finger (pinky) is on the 5th fret D-string, this is also a “G” note.

Make sure you mute (silence) the G, B and high E-string by placing the lower part of your index finger softly against these higher three strings.

How does the moveable power chord shape work?

If you move the entire G5 chord up a half step (1 fret), you get a G#5 chord. Move it up 2 half steps (2 frets) from you G5 you get A5 (second chord from the left). Move it up 3 half steps, you get A#5. Move it up 4 half step (4 frets) you get B5 (third chord from the left) and so on.

The first chord on the left in the diagram below is a C power chord. It’s the same chord shape as above, only the entire chord is moved up one string, so now the root note is located on the 3rd fret, A-string which is a “C” note, hence the name C5.

The same thing here applies, you can move the chord up and down the fretboard. Every time the root note determines the name of the chord. The root note from the second chord is located on the 5th fret A-string (5th string), which is a “D” note, so it’s a D5. And the power chord on the right starting on the 7th fret is an E5.

This time make sure the Low E-string, B and high E-string are muted. So how do you mute the Low E-string? Press the root note with your index finger on the A-string, and simultaneously try to lean the tip of that index finger against the string above it, so you don’t hear that Low E-string. You could also try to get your thumb from behind the neck to lean over the neck onto the Low E-string. Just a slight touch is enough to mute the sound of that string.

You can also play a power chord barring the A and D string (5th and 4th string) with your ring finger or pinky (see below first chord on the left). You have to figure out what works best for you. I prefer playing the chord with all three fingers.

There are also guitar players who only play the first two notes of a power chord (see second and third chord from the left), which still makes it a power chord because it contains the root and 5th note. While this chord shape is easier to move around the fretboard, the power chord with three notes gives you a fuller and heavier sound.

Chord progressions

A good way to practice power chords is to play solely eighth note down strums, going “1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &” per bar. Here are some common power chord progressions to practice with:

Chord progression 1: / A5 / F5 / C5 / G5 /
A5 = 577xxx
F5 = 133xxx
C5 = x355xx
G5 = 355xxx

Chord progression 2: / E5 / D5 / C5 / D5 /
E5 = x799xx
D5 = x577xx
C5 = x355xx
D5 = x577xx

Chord progression 3: / C5 / G5 / A5 / F5 /
C5 = x355xx
G5 = 355xxx
A5 = 577xxx
F5 = 133xxx

As you read earlier the power chord doesn’t have the 3rd in the chord which doesn’t make it major nor minor. So you exchange the power chord for both major and minor chords. This way you can create a rock song out of every ordinary song.

Example:
Song chord progression = G Em D C
Rock song chord progression = G5 E5 D5 C5

Assignments:
– Learn each power chord shape thoroughly.
– Press the notes firmly with your fingers and mute any open strings.
– Play the strings one by one and make sure you don’t hear any open strings.
– Practice the power chords with distortion and without distortion.
– Practice each power chord in different keys (positions).
– Practice the chord progressions from this post.
– Try power chords in different positions.
– Practice some rock songs with power chords.
(Smells like teen spirit – Nirvana, When I come around – Greenday)

Keep on rockin!

Do you have any questions or power chord songs suggestions? Please share them in the comments below. I appreciate it!