lesson
Power Chords
Power chords are essentially partial chords. They contain only the root and 5th note of a chord. They are usually notated as a 5 chord. For example, a C power chord is usually notated C5.
Since power chords only contain the root and 5th notes of a chord, they can be substituted for almost any chord, except those chords that have flat or sharp 5th notes.
Let’s take the first rock progression we used for the minor barre chords lesson and substitute power chords for the minor barre chords in the progression.
Power Chord Progression 1
Notice how power chords work equally well for major or minor chords. Electric guitarists often play power chords while an acoustic guitarist is strumming open chords. This is a common way to create two different guitar parts that compliment each other. Now try the second progression.
Power Chord Progression 2
Here is a chord progression that uses both power chord shapes.
links
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Printable Music Notation Files
- Power Chord Progression 1
- Power Chord Progression 2
- Power Chord Rocker
- This lesson was adapted from my book: Better Guitar Method Book 1, which is available at:
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Feel The Power
Power chords are common in rock and popular music and are usually used with an overdriven (or distorted) guitar tone. Because they are played on the lower strings and provide a fat, bass heavy tone, they earned the nickname “power chords.”
