Power Chords are the easiest chords to learn. With a few basic tips, I’ll show you how to jump-in and play one of the most classic rock anthems of all-time! I’ll also share a story with you of how I shared the stage with the band that wrote that famous song.
While Power Chords are easy to learn for beginners, I always suggest learning your open chords first. The benefit of learning open chords first, is that you will have a much better understanding of chord shapes and functions when you start playing Barre Chords.
However, if I can’t talk you out of it… please continue with the fun 😉
Why Beginners?
Beginners, because power chords are easy to play and don’t require a lot of finger strength to master them. As a beginning student learning new chords is not always easy. You may struggle with buzzing notes or muted notes. However when you use power chords, they are played with only two or three fingers, which is much easier for beginners.
Then, Why Pros?
They’re also for Pros, because even after playing guitar for over 35 years professionally, I still use them on 75% of the music I play live and record. They are a staple in rock and metal. A master-carpenter uses the same screwdriver that a young child picks up for the first time. It’s a simple tool, but your level of experience dictates how the tool is used.
There are a lot of musicians that frown on power chords. I say, “whatever gets the job done, is the right tool to use”. 😉
Two Note Power Chords
The next two chord shapes start with their root note on the E string. They are played with your first finger and your third finger. If you do not understand the notation below, check out the lesson on Tablature.
NOTE: Only play the two strings used in the chord. The rest of the strings should be muted.
The G Power Chord
E --------------------------------------- B --------------------------------------- G --------------------------------------- D --------------------------------------- A ----5---------------------------------- E ----3----------------------------------
The A Power Chord
E --------------------------------------- B --------------------------------------- G --------------------------------------- D --------------------------------------- A ----7---------------------------------- E ----5----------------------------------
TIP: Notice that both of these chords line up with Fret Markers. Fret markers are those dots on your guitar neck.
Next
If you take the same chord shape, and move it so the power chords are formed on the A string, you will get variations like the chords below.
NOTE: Only play the two strings used in the chord. The rest of the strings should be muted.
The C Power Chord
E ---------------------------------------- B ---------------------------------------- G ---------------------------------------- D ----5----------------------------------- A ----3----------------------------------- E ----------------------------------------
The D Power Chord
E ---------------------------------------- B ---------------------------------------- G ---------------------------------------- D ----6----------------------------------- A ----5----------------------------------- E ----------------------------------------
Ready to learn your first song using power chords? read on….
RITES OF PASSAGE
Rites of passage are defined as: Ceremonies that mark important transitional periods in a person’s life, such as birth, puberty, marriage, having children, death and LEARNING GUITAR.
“Smoke on the water” by Deep Purple is one of those so-called Rites of Passage and seems to be the easiest song to learn and remember using power chords. So it’s no wonder that millions of people have picked up a guitar and taught themselves this simple song after learning to play a power chord. With that said, I would be remiss in my duties as a teacher if I did not give you the TAB to try it out for yourself.
[Gamma with Deep Purple at Mountain Winery Saratoga, Ca photo: Maggie Tan]
After being rock gods for a almost 50 years, the band is still incredibly humble (a good lesson for all up-and-coming rock stars). We sat down with a few of them and broke bread before the concert. Not only are they talented, but they’re nice guys as well. Above is a picture of me playing with GAMMA from that evening’s concert. And YES, they played their famous hit:
“Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple – Basic Power Chord Version 1:
* All rooted on E string
E ------------------------------------------ B ------------------------------------------------ G ------------------------------------------------ D ------------------------------------------------ A ----5--8--10-----5--8--11-10----5--8--10---8--5--- E ----3--6--8------3--6--9--8-----3--6--8----6--3---
“Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple – Basic Power Chord Version 2:
This is initially a more challenging way to play it, but ultimately the correct way to play power chords. i.e. shifting from position to the next-closest position to reduce the amount of hand-travel needed to play a song.
* Rooted on E and A strings.
E ------------------------------------------------------- B ------------------------------------------------------- G ------------------------------------------------------- D -------3--5---------3--6-5--------3--5---3------------- A ----5--1--3------5--1--4-3-----5--1--3---1--5--------- E ----3------------3-------------3------------3----------
NOTE: Version 1 & 2 above should “sound” musically the same.
Three Note Power Cords
If you want to add a bit more depth to any power chord, while still keeping it simple, try adding a third note.
A Power Chord [Three note Chord using additional octave]
E --------------------------------------- B --------------------------------------- G --------------------------------------- D ----5---------------------------------- A ----5---------------------------------- E ----3----------------------------------
C Power Chord [Three note Chord using additional octave]
E --------------------------------------- B --------------------------------------- G ----5---------------------------------- D ----5---------------------------------- A ----3---------------------------------- E ---------------------------------------
Just for fun: If you’re a tech-head that writes any kind of programming languages: Ruby, Python, PHP, Java, C++ etc, etc. The first test you ever learn to write – is some code that outputs the words “Hello World!” Well, as a guitarist, maybe smoke on the water is a universal “Hello World!” for newbies. HeeHee, okay, back to the lesson…
Final Note
- If you understand the string names, and the major scale as outlined in Lesson 2 then all you need to do is find a note on the guitar (say G# on the low E string) and form the power chord from the G# note, and you have a G# power Chord.
- Just like Barre Chords, wherever you move the chord on the guitar next, its root becomes the name of that chord.
- It also popular to play power chords with their root on the A string. in this case make sure NOT to play the low E string.
HOMEWORK
Learn the power chord shape and move it around to different places on the neck. See if you can figure out how to play some of your favorite songs using this shape. Metallica, GAMMA, Lynyrd Skynyrd and many other classic rock (and new rock) songs can be played entirely with power Chords and a few single note riffs. Have fun!