Power Chords

[Ionized]

I first learnt my power chords from http://guitar.about.com/library/weekly/aa092600c.htm

Basically, it only consists of the root, the 5th and the octave notes.

For example, given a scale (doesn't matter which one), say DO RE MI FA SO LA TI DO. The low DO, SO and the high DO will form a power chord if DO is the root note.

 

[Mobius]

A power chord is a chord that sounds good in distortion :lol:

 

[neuro182]

Hmm

As in it emphasizes on the bass notes?

 

[pooo]

Re: Power Chord Construction

how u define power chord?

What is a power chord?

Power chords are the foundation of many blues, rock, and heavy-metal songs and they are perfect for hard-driving rhythm guitar parts. They are often written with "5" such as C5, G5, F#5, etc. A power chord consists of two notes: the root and the 5th. For example, C5 consists of the root, C, and the 5th note, G; A5 contains A and E; and so on.

A chord is defined as a collection of three or more notes sounding simultaneously, so a power chord is not technically a true "chord." Additionally, since it contains no 3rd, a power chord is called neither minor nor major.

courtesy: http://www.all-guitar-chords.com/guitar_chords_faq.php

 

[neuro182]

Oic

Kewl.. let say I play C G Am F as my chord progression, using power chord, wat kinda scale(s) are w looking at?

 

[RebirthX]

Hmm... What I've learned is a bit different...
I was taught that this is called power chord
7
5
and this is full chord...
7
7
5

:?

 

[Indigo_blues]

Hmm... What I've learned is a bit different...
I was taught that this is called power chord
7
5
and this is full chord...
7
7
5

:?

nah, they are both 5th chords.. just that the second version has the tonic twice. Its technically not a full chord as poo has mentioned the 3rd is missing. Play it out and hear the difference.

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

chords like A5 B5 and so on are powerchords...

the A5 means A and a fifth... n this case the fifth of A is E so u got ur power chord pattern thats just playing A's and E...

 

[detroit_red]

Just read this

http://metallica-tabs.net/guitarlesson/guitarlesson.html#1.1)%20Metal%20Guitar%20Basics

if you still dont get it maybe you should pick up stamp collecting

 

[amberbrew]

you should really do it with distortion, and only strum the 5,7,7 only. it would sound much nicer.

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

imo, the higher octave of the root give the power chord a brighter/fuller feel... if only the root and the 3rd is played without the octave, u get a chunkier/heavier sound...

 

[popeye]

imo, the higher octave of the root give the power chord a brighter/fuller feel... if only the root and the 3rd is played without the octave, u get a chunkier/heavier sound...

if it has 3rd, it's no longer a power chord, isn't it?

 

[Indigo_blues]

yup power chords by definition only have the 1st and the 5th.. meaning the tonic and the dominant.

 

[fenderrules]

wow its been a while since ive posted this topic, now im a power chord addict thanks to you guys, im even playing drop d!

anyway, would like to thank you all for teaching me this rock music fundemental. i sure am improving!

 

[purplehaze3691]

I am just very curious to know why you play in drop d tuning , any of your songs in the key of D ?

cheers

 

[fenderrules]

i kinda got bored of standard power chords and decided to do drop d tuning to get the heavier and grungier sound when doing power chords with it..

ironically, i dont have any songs in drop d since ive been practicing power chords in standard tuning since ive started. well, my band wants me to try out an original in drop d though. ive made a sample of my playing already but dunno wether its good enough.

 

[ShredCow]

well, purplehaze, ppl usually play in Drop D because it makes some riffing much easier and faster to play, its just 1 finger all the way.. Not necessarily for a song in D.

In any case, fenderrules, you might as well experiment with your power chords now. Shift a finger a fret lower or higher, here and there, see what different sounds you can come up with. That would extend the usefulness/musicality of the sometimes stagnant power chord.