7. Power Chords

In this chapter, we're going to explore power chords, a fundamental and powerful element in rock music and beyond. Power chords are simple to play, sound great, and give your guitar playing a solid, driving force.

The E String

Let's start by revisiting our familiar E string, with the notes of the C Major Scale labeled for reference:

The E String Power Chord Shape

A power chord is typically a two or three note chord consisting of the root note and the fifth. When played on the E string, you'll use this shape:

• Root Note: Played on the E string (6th string) with your index finger.
• Fifth: Played on the A string (5th string) with your ring finger, two frets higher than the root note.

Visually, it looks like this (The root is outlined in black):

E String - C Power Chord

To play a C power chord, find the root note C on the E string (8th fret).

• Place your index finger on the 8th fret of the E string (C).
• Place your ring finger on the 10th fret of the A string (G, which is the fifth of C).

E String - D Power Chord

To play a D power chord, find the root note D on the E string (10th fret).

• Place your index finger on the 10th fret of the E string (D).
• Place your ring finger on the 12th fret of the A string (A, which is the fifth of D).

E String - E Power Chord

To play an E power chord, find the root note E on the E string (open string).

• Open E Power Chord:
  • Play the open E string.
  • Place your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the A string (B, which is the fifth of E).

E String - E Power Chord (Octave Higher)

Remember, the notes repeat an octave higher when you go 12 frets to the right. So, the E note on the 12th fret of the E string is an octave higher than the open E string.

• Place your index finger on the 12th fret of the E string (E).
• Place your ring finger on the 14th fret of the A string (B, which is the fifth of E).

E String - F Power Chord

To play an F power chord, find the root note F on the E string (1st fret).

• Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the E string (F).
• Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the A string (C, which is the fifth of F).

E String - G Power Chord

To play a G power chord, find the root note G on the E string (3rd fret).

• Place your index finger on the 3rd fret of the E string (G).
• Place your ring finger on the 5th fret of the A string (D, which is the fifth of G).

E String - A Power Chord

To play an A power chord, find the root note A on the E string (5th fret).

• Place your index finger on the 5th fret of the E string (A).
• Place your ring finger on the 7th fret of the A string (E, which is the fifth of A).

Power Chords on the A String

Now that you're familiar with power chords rooted on the E string, let's expand your power chord vocabulary by learning how to play them with the root note on the A string. This will give you even more versatility and options for your rhythm playing.

The A String

Let's look at the A string, with its notes labeled:

The A String Power Chord Shape

The shape for power chords rooted on the A string is very similar to the E string shape, just shifted down one string set.

• Root Note: Played on the A string (5th string) with your index finger.
• Fifth: Played on the D string (4th string) with your ring finger, two frets higher than the root note.

Visually, it looks like this:

A String - C Power Chord

To play a C power chord, find the root note C on the A string (3rd fret).

• Place your index finger on the 3rd fret of the A string (C).
• Place your ring finger on the 5th fret of the D string (G, which is the fifth of C).

A String - D Power Chord

To play a D power chord, find the root note D on the A string (5th fret).

• Place your index finger on the 5th fret of the A string (D).
• Place your ring finger on the 7th fret of the D string (A, which is the fifth of D).

A String - E Power Chord

To play an E power chord, find the root note E on the A string (7th fret).

• Place your index finger on the 7th fret of the A string (E).
• Place your ring finger on the 9th fret of the D string (B, which is the fifth of E).

A String - F Power Chord

To play an F power chord, find the root note F on the A string (8th fret).

• Place your index finger on the 8th fret of the A string (F).
• Place your ring finger on the 10th fret of the D string (C, which is the fifth of F).

A String - G Power Chord

To play a G power chord, find the root note G on the A string (10th fret).

• Place your index finger on the 10th fret of the A string (G).
• Place your ring finger on the 12th fret of the D string (D, which is the fifth of G).

A String - A Power Chord

To play an A power chord, you can use the open A string as your root, or the A note on the 12th fret.

• Open A Power Chord:
  • Play the open A string.
  • Place your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the D string (E, which is the fifth of A).

A String - A Power Chord (Octave Higher)

Just like the E string, the notes on the A string repeat an octave higher after 12 frets.

• Place your index finger on the 12th fret of the A string (A).
• Place your ring finger on the 14th fret of the D string (E, which is the fifth of A).

Power Chords on the D String

You're doing great! We've covered power chords rooted on the E and A strings. Now, let's move on to the D string, adding even more options to your power chord arsenal. The principles remain the same, just shifted to a new set of strings.

The D String

Here's the D string, with its notes labeled:

The D String Power Chord Shape

For power chords rooted on the D string, your shape will involve the D and G strings:

• Root Note: Played on the D string (4th string) with your index finger.
• Fifth: Played on the G string (3rd string) with your ring finger, two frets higher than the root note.

Visually, it looks like this:

D String - C Power Chord

To play a C power chord, find the root note C on the D string (10th fret).

• Place your index finger on the 10th fret of the D string (C).
• Place your ring finger on the 12th fret of the G string (G, which is the fifth of C).

D String - D Power Chord

To play a D power chord, you can use the open D string as your root.

• Open D Power Chord:
  • Play the open D string.
  • Place your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the G string (A, which is the fifth of D).

D String - D Power Chord (Octave Higher)

The D note on the 12th fret of the D string is an octave higher than the open D string.

• Place your index finger on the 12th fret of the D string (D).
• Place your ring finger on the 14th fret of the G string (A, which is the fifth of D).

D String - E Power Chord

To play an E power chord, find the root note E on the D string (2nd fret).

• Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the D string (E).
• Place your ring finger on the 4th fret of the G string (B, which is the fifth of E).

D String - F Power Chord

To play an F power chord, find the root note F on the D string (3rd fret).

• Place your index finger on the 3rd fret of the D string (F).
• Place your ring finger on the 5th fret of the G string (C, which is the fifth of F).

D String - G Power Chord

To play a G power chord, find the root note G on the D string (5th fret).

• Place your index finger on the 5th fret of the D string (G).
• Place your ring finger on the 7th fret of the G string (D, which is the fifth of G).

D String - A Power Chord

To play an A power chord, find the root note A on the D string (7th fret).

• Place your index finger on the 7th fret of the D string (A).
• Place your ring finger on the 9th fret of the G string (E, which is the fifth of A).

Power Chords on the G String

You're almost there! We've covered power chords rooted on the E, A, and D strings. Now, let's complete our journey across the lower strings by learning how to play power chords with the root note on the G string. This will round out your understanding of these versatile chords.

The G String

Here's the G string, with its notes labeled:

The G String Power Chord Shape

For power chords rooted on the G string, your shape will involve the G and B strings. This is where it gets a little different due to the tuning of the B string.

• Root Note: Played on the G string (3rd string) with your index finger.
• Fifth: Played on the B string (2nd string) with your ring finger, three frets higher than the root note. (Remember, the B string is tuned a major third from the G string, unlike the perfect fourth interval between the other adjacent strings).

Visually, it looks like this:

G String - C Power Chord

To play a C power chord, find the root note C on the G string (5th fret).

• Place your index finger on the 5th fret of the G string (C).
• Place your ring finger on the 8th fret of the B string (G, which is the fifth of C).

G String - D Power Chord

To play a D power chord, find the root note D on the G string (7th fret).

• Place your index finger on the 7th fret of the G string (D).
• Place your ring finger on the 10th fret of the B string (A, which is the fifth of D).

G String - E Power Chord

To play an E power chord, find the root note E on the G string (9th fret).

• Place your index finger on the 9th fret of the G string (E).
• Place your ring finger on the 12th fret of the B string (B, which is the fifth of E).

G String - F Power Chord

To play an F power chord, find the root note F on the G string (10th fret).

• Place your index finger on the 10th fret of the G string (F).
• Place your ring finger on the 13th fret of the B string (C, which is the fifth of F).

G String - G Power Chord

To play a G power chord, you can use the open G string as your root.

• Open G Power Chord:
  • Play the open G string.
  • Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the B string (D, which is the fifth of G).

G String - A Power Chord

To play an A power chord, find the root note A on the G string (2nd fret).

• Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the G string (A).
• Place your ring finger on the 5th fret of the B string (E, which is the fifth of A).

Power Chords on the B String

You're doing fantastic! We've covered power chords on the E, A, D, and G strings. Now, let's learn how to play power chords with the root note on the B string. This will give you a full understanding of how to play power chords across the lower five strings of your guitar.

The B String

Here's the B string, with its notes labeled:

The B String Power Chord Shape

For power chords rooted on the B string, your shape will involve the B and high e strings. Good news: the interval between the B string and the high e string is a perfect fourth, just like the E-A, A-D, and D-G strings! So, the shape reverts to the familiar "two frets higher" pattern for the fifth.

• Root Note: Played on the B string (2nd string) with your index finger.
• Fifth: Played on the high e string (1st string) with your ring finger, two frets higher than the root note.

Visually, it looks like this:

B String - C Power Chord

To play a C power chord, find the root note C on the B string (1st fret).

• Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the B string (C).
• Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the high e string (G, which is the fifth of C).

B String - D Power Chord

To play a D power chord, find the root note D on the B string (3rd fret).

• Place your index finger on the 3rd fret of the B string (D).
• Place your ring finger on the 5th fret of the high e string (A, which is the fifth of D).

B String - E Power Chord

To play an E power chord, find the root note E on the B string (5th fret).

• Place your index finger on the 5th fret of the B string (E).
• Place your ring finger on the 7th fret of the high e string (B, which is the fifth of E).

B String - F Power Chord

To play an F power chord, find the root note F on the B string (6th fret).

• Place your index finger on the 6th fret of the B string (F).
• Place your ring finger on the 8th fret of the high e string (C, which is the fifth of F).

B String - G Power Chord

To play a G power chord, find the root note G on the B string (8th fret).

• Place your index finger on the 8th fret of the B string (G).
• Place your ring finger on the 10th fret of the high e string (D, which is the fifth of G).

B String - A Power Chord

To play an A power chord, find the root note A on the B string (10th fret).

• Place your index finger on the 10th fret of the B string (A).
• Place your ring finger on the 12th fret of the high e string (E, which is the fifth of A).

Summary

These are the 5 power chord shapes, rooted on the EADGB strings.

What's Next?

Now that you've mastered power chords across the lower strings, you're ready to dive into the world of diatonic chords and how they form the backbone of countless songs. In the next chapter, we'll explore:

• The E String and the C Major Scale: We'll start by labeling the E string with all its notes and then overlay the C Major Scale to see its notes on the E string.
• Major Chords: You'll learn the E string major chord shape and how to play C, F, and G major chords. We'll then use these to play a section of "What I Like About You" by The Romantics.
• Minor Chords: Discover the E string minor chord shape and how to play D minor, E minor (including an octave higher), and A minor chords. We'll then combine major and minor chords to play a section of "Let it Be" by The Beatles.
• Diminished Chord: Learn the E string diminished chord shape and how to play the B diminished chord. We'll then integrate it with major and minor chords to play a section of "This Love" by Maroon 5.
• The 7 Diatonic Chords: By memorizing just three E string shapes (major, minor, diminished), you'll be able to play all seven diatonic chords in the key of C.
• Character of Diatonic Chords: Understand the distinct emotional character of each of the seven diatonic chords and how to use them to convey specific messages in your songwriting. You'll even learn how to create chord progressions that reflect a desired mood before picking up your guitar!

Get ready to unlock the foundational elements of songwriting and truly understand how music evokes emotion!