Rhythm Guitar: Power Chords
Power Chords: overview
From rock, to jazz, country, metal, pop and beyond- the sound of power chords have made it into every genre of music. The stability of the sound created by only using the root and and fifth of a chord works very well with acoustic and clean electric guitars, but it is with distortion where the chord really shines. Learn how to play, hear, read, and write using one of the most iconic sounds in modern rhythm guitar.
Learn the different shapes and how to use them by navigating the different tabs.
Shapes
Root on the E string
This two string shape is a great intro to playing power chords.
Root on the A string
The second chord shape that everyone should learn.
Three Note E String Chords
Add a second root to the basic shape to thicken the sound of the chord.
THREE AND FOUR NOTE A STRING CHORDS
Add a second root and/or fifth to chords with the root on the A string creates extra power.
E String Octaves
Removing the fifth from a three note power chords leaves you with octave roots.
A String Octaves
Octave roots on the A string require a bit of muting, but they are a great option for melody and chord playing.
The Left Hand
Playing Pressure
Keep the notes of the chord in tune by using the perfect amount of playing pressure.
Checking A Power Chord
One of the easiest ways to see if all of the notes in a power chord shape are ringing clearly is by playing the strings one at a time.
Ending Chords
The ends of notes are almost as important as the beginning with power chords.
Importance of Left Hand Muting
Keep unintentional notes from from ringing by muting with the left hand.
Muting E String Chords
Use the index finger to mute the top strings when playing chords with the root on the E string.
Muting A String Chords
Use the index or middle finger to mute the low E string while playing chords with the root on the low A string.
The Right Hand
Picking
The notes in a power chord are played close together most of the time. This is done by quick actions with the right hand. When strumming, the rules for picking direction are the same as cowboy chords: strum down on all of the strong beats and up on all of the weak beats. Keep the pick moving with the subdivision flow in between attacks to make sure everything is played in time.
Target Practice
Practice strumming only the strings you need.
Picking Styles
Different picking styles create different sounds: strumming, flicking, and palm muting.
One String At A Time
Another picking technique is by playing the strings one at a time.
Shifting Subdivisions
Practice shifting subdivisions with your picking to match the subdivision flow of the band.
Play
E String Only
Use chords with the root on the E string to play this example.
A String Only
This example uses chords with roots only on the A string.
E and A string
The chords in this example are played with the roots on the E and A string.
Playing With Good Time
It is the job of the rhythm guitarist to play with good time.
Listen
Transcribe
The best way to learn a riff is by copying it from the recording. Learning this way might be slow at first, but with enough practice you will be able to ear out even the most complicated riffs. Each riff in this section is presented at the original tempo and at a slower speed for easy transcription.
EASY | INTERMEDIATE | ADVANCED
Easy
All The Small Things | Blink 182
Tom DeLonge used palm muted eighths note throughout the verse of this song. The first chord is played the A string and all of the other chords are on the E string. Try using all down strokes to get the sound of the original.
Blitzkrieg Bop | The Ramones
Johnny Ramone used a strummed eighth note pattern throughout this song. The first chord is played on the E string. Keep the eighth note strumming pattern going in the air while not playing the strings to keep everything in time.
Intermediate
Rock You LIke A Hurricane | The Scorpions
Rudolf Schenker used all down stroke power chords in the intro of this song. The first chord should be played on the A string. Be aware of the eighth note syncopation in the second half of the riff!
Eye Of The Tiger | Survivor
Frankie Sullivan used down strokes on all of the chords in the intro of this song. The first chord can be played on the E or A string. Make sure to mute the strings with the left hand to keep the notes short and watch out for the rhythmic variation in the second statement of the riff.
Rolling In The Deep | Adele
The palm muted acoustic guitar part at the beginning of Rolling In The Deep was recorded by Adele’s producer Paul Epworth. All of the attacks should be down strokes and the first chord starts on the A string. Pay close attention to when the chords change in the song, it’s not on the beat!
Advanced
More Than A Feeling | Boston
The guitar part in the chorus of More Than A Feeling was recorded by Boston’s founding member Tom Scholz. The first chord starts on the low E string. The pitches are easy, but the syncopated rhythm in the strumming pattern can be difficult to ear out. Keep your picking hand moving in sixteenth note subdivision when playing this riff to keep everything in time.
American Idiot | Green Day
This iconic guitar part recorded by Billie Joe Armstrong starts on the low E string and uses syncopated sixteenth note strumming. Keep the right hand moving in sixteenth note subdivision when playing this riff to keep the offbeats in time. Pay close attention to left hand muting to keep unwanted notes from ringing out.
Hit Me With Your Best Shot | Pat Benatar
The guitar riff in Hit Me With Your Best Shot was recorded by Neil Giraldo. In addition to the sixteenth note syncopation that is used throughout the riff, there are slides between the last four chords.
Read
Playing Power Chords With Lead Sheets
Choose a song from the lead sheet library and use power chords to play along with the recordings.
Experiment with playing the harmonic rhythm, quarter note, and eighth note rhythms with the track.
Reading Charts With Power Chords
Read the rhythms and play the power chords with these examples.
Each example uses power chords with roots on the E and the A strings, an asterisk (*) is written above chords that NEED to be played on the A string to use the correct octave.
Follow the practice process:
Find the roots of the chords and map out which strings will be used to play the examples with the least amount of movement.
Practice going from chord to chord.
Identify the rhythm of the example by counting and clapping the rhythm (write in the counts if necessary)
Count and play the examples without a steady beat.
Count and play with a steady beat at a slow tempo.
Speed up the example until the target tempo is reached.
Power Chord Mystery Songs
The examples on this page are all famous guitar riffs that use power chords.
Read each example to figure out what song the riff is from.
Once you have figured out the song, listen to the original recording and try to make it sound just like it.
Write
Write, record, and/or perform a song section of a pop punk song using power chords and octaves.
Listen to the Pop Punk Playlist to get the sound of the style in your ear.
Dissect the Perfect Pop Punk Song by watching the Lyric Video or open a copy of The Perfect Pop Punk Song Project In Soundtrap →.
Write a chord progression using the I, IV, V, and vi chords in any Major Key →.
Track the harmonic rhythm of the chords by writing the progression on the Lead Sheet Blank →.
Write lyrics to your song section with a chords and lyrics sheet. Here is an example from the Perfect Pop Punk Song →.
Sample topics are: Relationships, Rebellion, or Growing Up.
Pay close attention to the amount of syllables in each lyric line.
Don’t worry that much about rhyming.
Tell a relatable story.
Record at least two guitar parts and a bass part using the Soundtrap template below (you will need to be signed in to Soundtrap in order to view the file).
The guitar parts can use two, three or four note power chords with any rhythm.
The rhythm should be the same for the song section.
Octaves should be used as simple melodies.
The bass should play the roots of the chords.
Arrange the guitar, bass, and drum part by copying, looping, and duplicating clips to form sections that are in even multiples of four measures.
Record the vocal line on the vocal track.
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