The True Definition of Power Chords

There is a reason why learning the guitar has such mass appeal. There it is, burned into your brain, the image of your favorite artist standing on stage striking a pose, with a sleek electric guitar slung low, and screaming out a chatter of unworldly, yet perfectly synchronized riffs. It’s enough to make the small hairs on your arm stand at attention, and chills to run down your spine. Yes, learning the guitar has a euphoric mass appeal. There comes a point during the course of guitar lessons where the curriculum lands on power chords. Obviously, this is after some of the more basic stuff, like reading basic notation, playing simple chord progressions and melodies, learning to tune and handle the guitar correctly etc. Usually, this is the point where the student is psyched up! Things are getting fun now! However, one may ask, what is the true definition of a power chord, and what is its application?

Power chords are simply shortened versions of barre chords. They are the root note plus the 5th note of that perspective chord. They are also called 5ths, or root 5 chords. As an example, an F major barre chord would consist of barring all of the notes on the first fret with your index finger, and making an E major chord with your second, third and fourth fingers on the second and third frets. The notes of this barre chord are F C F A C F. The F note on the 6th string is the root. The C note is the fifth note of the chord, which so happens to on the third fret, 5th string. The next root note up in pitch is the F note on the 4th string third fret. So if you just play these three notes together, you have the F5 chord, or F power chord. That would be accomplished by placing your index finger on the 6th string first fret. Then place your third finger on the third fret, 5th string. Last of all, place your pinky finger on the third fret, 4th string. Play all three strings togetherand there you have it. What should be noticed is this “shape” you are making to create this power chord is movable, just like its counterpart barre chord. You can slide it up and down the neck and create different power chords simply by holding the shape together. Whatever note you are depressing with your index finger, which is also the first of the three notes you are playing, that is the root, and the name of the power chord you are creating.

Power chords are used extensively in modern pop, rock and metal music. They are many times used in conjunction with full standard and barre chords. The end result is the guitarist is able to control the dynamics of a song by using power chords where there needs to be more emphasis, and full chords to add color and texture.