Power Chords

Are you ready to rock? 🤘

Your Ultimate Power Chords Guide for Beginners!

Power chords are awesome musical elements to learn on guitar. They're considered the foundation chord for rock music. If you're a fan of punk/rock music - you'll have loads of fun with them! But - learning them is useful in any music genre, many popular songs you know use them! 

Power chords are also fantastic to play if you encounter a barre chord that you don't know. They'll be easier to play & will extend your chord freedom.

In this lesson, you'll take your first steps and learn how to play power chords on the guitar! We'll start by exploring the Root 6 & 5 Shape, and I'll give you handy exercises and songs to develop these awesome chords.

So grab your guitar & get ready to rock! :)

What Are Power Chords On Guitar?

Power chords are made from the root note and the 5th of the chord.  Sometimes, they're also made of the octave of the root. Similar to sus chords - power chords are neither major nor minor! When you play them, you won't be using any open chords.

The note under Finger 1 is the ROOT NOTE- this is what gives the chord its note name! The shape of power chords always stays the same, which means you can easily move them around your fretboard. 

We call them "5th chords," and C Power Chord is usually written as C5.

💡 Watch the video & listen to my opening power chords.Hear that awesome crunch and distortion?! That's the signature sound of power chords! :)

Root 6 Shapes

I would recommend you start by learning the Root 6 grip. If you're confident with your F Barre chord, your placement of Finger 1, 2, and 3 will be easy.

You might struggle to get Finger 1 to lay down and mute strings 1,2 and 3 - that's very common!  To help you, touch them lightly, so they don't ring out. It's okay if they make a click, but be careful not to press your power chords too hard!

When you start moving the shape, you might find that Fingers 3 and 4 want to pull apart. Aim to keep them together - touching - 3rd fingers on top of the 4th. It'll help you when you move the grip around your guitar fretboard!

Instead of having the standard 3 note version - play the Root 6 Shape with just 2 fingers.

For this next version, play the root note with your Finger 1. For the other note, play them with Fingers 3 or 4. Choose whichever feels the best & most comfortable for you! :)

🤔 Did you know? Kurt Cobain played his power Chords with his first and 3 fingers. Kurt often accidentally let it press a little too hard, and he would also get the note on string 3 ringing.  It's one of the subtle trademarks of his playing style! But for now, I recommend you simply let your Finger 3 lay flat to cover strings 5 and 4.

Root 5 Shape

You'll apply the same rules to the Root 5 Shape, but with the root note on string 5. Here, the big difference is that the tip of Finger 1 mutes the thickest string. Finger 1 is the big player here - it's muting strings 6, 2, and 1 all at the same time. It might take a few tries to get it right - but keep practicing; you'll get there!

So - make sure to mute your thickest string. Use the diagram below to guide you.

The 6 Essential Notes For Power Chords 

To play power chords, you need to have memorized and play the notes on the bottom two strings. Make sure you can quickly find any note on strings 5 & 6. It's one of those things that you are going to have to learn sooner or later. It'll help with so many skills as you advance in your guitar journey.

So - start by learning the 6 key tones - the notes on frets 3, 5, and 7. With your knowledge of tones and semitones - you can easily find notes you need. Remember about the sharps and flats between the 'white notes' - revisiting the Note Circle will help if needed! :) 

Power Chords Guitar Exercise

To slide your power chords, maintain the shape of the grip by slightly losing your grip. Make sure to keep contact with the strings and keep fingers 3 and 4 together.

Exercise

Repeat this exercise to help get this skill down! Play these chords as even 8th notes - and try your best to keep your power chord grip shape! :)

C D E F E D C B (8th notes, 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +)

4 Sliding Power Chords Song Exercises

1. Cocaine by Eric Clapton. Play them with this chord sequence → EEDE E D  E D CCCCB. 
2. Anarchy In The UK by Sex Pistols.
3. Song 2 by Blur. To play this song, follow this chord sequences → F# E A A B C#. I played it detuned and with 2 finger grips.
4. Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes. You should be familiar with this one from Grade 1.  Adding some power chords will elevate your sound!

To cross your chords - keep your same grip shape. You might quickly lose contact with the strings - that's okay! Maintaining contact with the string will help keep the open strings from ringing out. You'll have to experiment here - and try it for yourself! :)

2 Crossing Power Chords Song Exercises

How could I not include some Nirvana?! Here are two songs to practice crossing your power chords. 

1. Mollys Lips by Nirvana.
2. Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana.

More Songs To Practice Power Chords

There are SO MANY awesome songs to work on your power chords - it's up to what you like. More on that in a lesson coming up!

The best way to learn power chords is by playing songs with them. Exercises are helpful as a starting point,  but once you get the basics down - practice power chords by playing songs you dig! It's going to help you solidify this skill.

For inspiration, look through my song lesson playlist. Narrow down the music genre to what you dig by using the filters. Most importantly - find power chord songs you love. Play them as much as you can - and unleash your inner rocker! 

Next lesson - learn the first scale beginners should learn to play blues guitar ... the A Minor Pentatonic Scale!