How to Play Power Chords On Guitar -

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By thirdstone
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Power chords are some of the easyest chords to play on a guitar. And they are called power chords because of how much power each one has when you play it. This article will show you how to find and play power chords on a guitar.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

guitar
time

Step 1

First, you will have to know the notes along the low E string in order to know the root note. The root note gives the power chord its name. In the image I have posted the notes along the low e string, along with which fret they are located on.
Step 2

Now that we know our notes along the low E string, let's look at the next image and see what three examples of a power chord looks like. As you can see, I have given two examples of each power chord. The G two note power chord along with the G three note power chord. I have also done this for the A and D power chord. When first starting out, many find the two note power chords are easier to learn at first, and it is definitely easier to switch between chords using the two note one's.
Step 3

You should know how to read this tablature, but if you don't, see my article on HOW TO READ GUITAR TABLATURE and I explain there how to read tablature. So let's examine two and three note power chords with their root notes along the A string.
Step 4

HOW TO PLAY POWER CHORDS ON A GUITAR

Check out the image, it shows the notes along the fret board for the A string, which you will have to know in order to know the names of the power chords along that string.
Step 5

And in this image are the tablature showing the C, D, and C power chords in two and three note forms. I hope you have been paying attention and noticed that there is a simple pattern to these power chords. There is always one blank fret between the first root note and the second note of each chord.
Step 6

The shape of a power chord remains unchanged, and thus, no matter where you move the shape to, you will be playing a power chord. In other words, the shapes are moveable. And for the most part, almost any combination of these will sound good when played together, because power chords are neither minor nor major chords. So try the shapes on different frets in different combinations and see for yourself how good they sound.
Step 7

HOW TO PLAY POWER CHORDS ON A GUITAR

Now for two and three note power chords in open position. These can not be moved, as the name suggests, because they are in open position.
Step 8

Many bands, mainly punk bands, have made millions of dollars from putting songs together using nothing else other than power chords. You may not make millions of dollars from these, but at least now you know how to play them and have a ton of fun.

Comments

hkimbrell said

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on 10/20/2009 Very good information, you know your stuff. ;) I play guitar as well, started when I was 13. If there had been an ehow back then I would have loved to have had this article for guidence. I'm sure aspiring guitar players will really benifit from it. Five stars.