Power chords

A power chord is just a root and its fifth, often with the root doubled an octave up. It has no third, so it is neither major nor minor, which is why it works over almost anything and stays clear under distortion. It is the backbone of rock, punk and metal rhythm guitar, and it is the easiest movable chord you will learn.

By the end of this lesson you will be able to:

• Play two- and three-note power chords with the root on the 6th and 5th strings.
• Keep the strings you are not playing silent, so you can strum freely.
• Move a power chord to any named root using the notes on the low E and A strings.

A power chord has only two different notes: the root and the fifth. The three-note version adds the root again, an octave higher. It is written with a 5: G5 means G and D.

Because there is no third, a power chord is neither major nor minor. That makes it flexible (G5 works in a song in G major or G minor) and it keeps the sound clear when an amplifier adds distortion, where fuller chords turn to mush.

The shape is the same everywhere:

• Index finger on the root.
• Ring finger two frets higher on the next string up (the fifth).
• Pinky on the same fret as the ring finger, one string further up (the octave). Leave it off for the two-note version.

With the root on the 6th string the chord takes its name from the low E string note; with the root on the 5th string, from the A string. These are the notes you learned for barre chords.

The secret to a good power chord is silence: all the strings you are not playing must be muted, so you can strum with confidence instead of aiming at two strings.

Muting check.

1. Fret G5 at fret 3 with the index, ring and pinky.
2. Let the underside of the index finger rest lightly on the G, B and high e strings. It mutes them without fretting them.
3. Strum all six strings. You should hear three notes and a dull click from the muted strings, nothing else.
4. For C5 (root on the A string), also let the index fingertip touch the low E string.

Moving the shape. Release the pressure without lifting off, slide or jump to the new fret, then press again. The shape stays locked; only the arm moves.

Do these in order. Each one is small. Tick the ones you have practised.

• 1.Build the shape

  4 min

  1. Index finger on the low E string, fret 3 (G). Pick it.
  2. Add the ring finger on the A string, fret 5 (D). Pick both together: G5.
  3. Add the pinky on the D string, fret 5 (another G). Pick all three: the full G5.
  4. Lay the index finger lightly across the higher strings so they are muted, then strum all six strings. Only the three notes should sound.
  5. Repeat with the root on the A string at fret 3: C5 (x-3-5-5).

  You have it when

  • G5 and C5 sound clean when you strum all six strings.
  • No open string rings through.
  I practised this one

• 2.Slide between roots

  5 min · 60 → 90 BPM

  1. Play G5 at fret 3 on the 6th string, then slide the same shape to fret 5 (A5).
  2. Go back to G5, then cross to the 5th string: C5 at fret 3, then D5 at fret 5.
  3. Loop G5, A5, C5, D5, one bar each, four downstrokes per bar.
  4. Keep the hand shape rigid as it moves. Release pressure slightly while moving, but stay in contact with the strings.

  You have it when

  • Each chord lands on beat 1 with all its notes sounding.
  • There is no squeal or ringing open string between chords.
  I practised this one

• 3.Name it, play it

  3 min

  1. Say a root out loud: E, F, G, A, B, C or D.
  2. Find it on the low E string and play the power chord there.
  3. Find the same root on the A string and play it there too.
  4. Go through all seven roots twice.

  You have it when

  • You find each root on both strings within three seconds.
  I practised this one

Shape first, untimed. For moving between chords, start at 60 BPM with one downstroke per beat and change on beat 1; go up to 90 BPM.

• Open strings ringing when you strum. Let the underside of the index finger rest lightly on the higher strings, and for 5th-string roots let the index fingertip touch the low E.
• Pressing hard with a tense hand. Power chords need very little pressure. Ease off until a note buzzes, then add just enough to stop it.
• Calling a power chord major or minor. It has no third, so it is neither. G5 works where the song has G or Gm.

Most rock rhythm parts are power chords. Try playing the chords of Sweet Home Alabama (D, C, G) as D5, C5 and G5 with short downstrokes: the progression is still clear, and it sounds heavier.

Try it in: Sweet Home Alabama (chord version).

Short version (10 minutes)

Build G5 and C5, check the muting, then loop G5, A5, C5, D5 at 60 BPM.

Standard version (about 30 minutes)

Do all three exercises. Then play Sweet Home Alabama's progression with power chords for two minutes.

• A power chord is root, fifth and (optionally) octave: no third.
• Same shape on the 6th and 5th strings: index on the root, ring and pinky two frets up on the next strings.
• Mute everything else so you can strum freely.
• The note under the index finger names the chord.

You are ready to move on when you can honestly say:

• I can play two- and three-note power chords with the root on the 6th or 5th string.
• I can strum all six strings over a power chord and hear only its notes.
• I can play a power chord on any natural-note root without searching.