Introduction to Power Chords
Power chords (also known as 5th chords, e.g. B5) are a chord variation that get alot of use in rock or heavy rock . Generally two types are encountered, those based around E major and those based around A major.
The chords are referred to as fifths, because they only contain the first and the fifth of the major chord. In each case generally only two or three strings are played (I usually play three). For those based on E major it is the low E, A and D strings, for those based on A major it is the A, D and G strings.
The chords are of the bar type so that the same chord shape can be used up and down the neck in order to achieve the different chords required. The fingerings presented are a first finger full bar with a short bar using the 4th finger. The later bar could easily be done using the third and for some people the second finger, go with which one is the most comfortable, I use 4th.
Due to only three strings being played with first and fifth notes, the chords fall into both the major and minor category and can be used instead. If your trying to figure out how to play songs from listening to records, you’ll find that in a lot of rock, you can use these where the original track may not use a power chord, but it will sound close enough for you to get away with it. For example, the chorus in "head over feet" from the Alanis Morissette album "Jagged little pill" could be played as follows, the timing is not shown, I’m assuming you can figure it out:
D5 B5 G5 A5
D5 B5 A#5 A5
D5 B5 G5 A5
F5 C5 G5
The power chord title probably comes from the fact that they are generally used with a lot of distortion applied, giving a powerful sound. Used in conjunction with palm muting they also produce a cool rock sound. You need to experiment with the strumming on these type of chords, because some cases will only use down strums (in particular thrash music) while others will use both up and down.
Another example of use is in the main riff from "since you’ve been gone" by Rainbow, I’ve indicated a chord for each strum:
G5 G5 G5, D5 D5, E5 E5 E5, C5 C5,
G5 G5, D5, E5, C5 C5, C5 D5
Slide the last C5 into the D5, so no strum is actually produced for the last D5.
Other chord shapes and variations:
The two basic chord shapes given above based on E and A major are those most commonly encountered, but others are also used, for instance C and D major shapes:
You will also encounter variations to these standard chords, where a finger is placed in a different position, or sometimes the bar itself is moved, the naming conventions used on the variations may not be 100% correct, but they do reflect the notes that are played:
Notice the difference between the C based and E variation, #5, is that different strings are played.
For further listening and examples listen to any standard rock song, but here are a few good examples for you to listen too (note that power chords may not be used entirely in these songs, but will certainly feature strongly):
Ozzy Ozsborne - Suicide Solution (Blizzard of ozz)
AC/DC - You shook me all night long (Back in black)
Metallica - Of wolf and man (Black album)
Joe Satriani - Ice 9 (rhythm part - Surfing with the alien)
For homework play around with power chords, palm muting, experiment with variations and different strumming patterns. Try to figure out the rest of the chords to "Head over feet", listen to the examples given and see what you can play along with, listen to some other sources (your choice) and see if you can play along using power chords.
All of the chords given above and a few more have also beein put in a quick reference sheet within the chords section
