CH-004 • Power Chords (Part 1)

[justinguitar]

Questions...

[RoyaleWithCheese]

In this video you mention how some power  chords can be played on only two strings. What is the difference between these two-string power chords and the more common three-string power chords? Why would a guitarist choose to play one instead of the other?

[YannDoggyDawg]

Hello Everybody,

My issue with power chords is how to mute the E string when playing power chords with the A string and the D string

|-------------| E not muted: very annoying sound -_-
|-------------| A Played
|-------------| D Played
|-------------| G Muted
|-------------| B Muted
|-------------| E Muted

[mike42]

Yann-

When playing power chords on the 5th string, try to mute the thick E string with the tip of your first finger. It may take a little getting used to but after a while it will become almost mechanical

[justinguitar]

In this video you mention how some power  chords can be played on only two strings. What is the difference between these two-string power chords and the more common three-string power chords? Why would a guitarist choose to play one instead of the other?

Some guys, like in Metallica - use the two finger version. It doesn't sound as fat, but can be moved a little faster...

[Scuzzlebutt]

Hey Guys!  Smiley

I'm now playing electric guitar for about half a year. But i've got a problem where i can't find the answer  Embarrassed

It's about the thumb of the left hand. When i'm playing powerchords for some time my thumb starts to hurt real bad. So I want to know where and how i should put it on the neck while playing powerchords.

It annoys me because i'm playing in a band and at the middle of a song i've got to stop  Lips sealed..

I would be really happy if you could help me with that  Smiley

Greets,

Tobi from Germany (excuse my bad english  Wink)

[mark767]

I think the thumb is hurting because you are squeezing the finger and thumb together.  Instead try to pull back with your hand/arm and only sqeeze enough to keep things stable.  If you do this correctly you will not have this problem anymore.  You can tell if you are doing this right by moving your right hand off the guitar...the neck should move back and the body move forward.


Mark.

[justinguitar]

scuzzle - mark is mostly right - try watching the barre chords videos - I explain it all in them! might help.

It is a combo of hand squeeze and pulling with your arm!

Good luck

J

[medusa]

i dont get it what makes a power chord sound power chordish

[PetefromFinland]

Hello again folks. I was wondering, Justin mentions quickly about the second finger that it may be like not straight, but that it doesn´t really matter. I noticed that he keeps it sticking quite straight there but I find it a bit strange and difficult so I let it just hang there, it tend to go curved. Maybe it is something not to be thought, though but just asking if it´s something that may affect something in the future?
I don´t see how it´d affect anything, though. Sorry about a dumb question, but I gott make sure ( .. and look like I´m posting, lol)

[PhillD]

Medusa - What makes a powerchord (a fifth chord) sound like a power chord? Well you are only playing two (possibly the octave as well) notes which means it sounds chunkier and lacks the notes that make a minor a minor or a major a major. If you put in the octave then the chord sounds more metal / hard rock like Judas Priest or Black Sabbath (I think they pioneered fifth riffing in but I could be wrong). Also played with palm muting and down strokes it sounds hard rock, play with up and down strokes and its more grunge like Nirvana Smells Like Teen Spirit, etc...

If you want a cool tune play your power chords muted and then in your last couple of bars add the octave and release the mute - sounds awesome and highlights the difference, makes a great effect with a bit of distortion.

You can also get cool tunes by doing power chords and using the bass string for the fifth as well, if you play bass guitar you will know what I'm on about but for those who don't - if you look at C on the A string its 5th note is G. Directly above C on the A string is G. Now that allows us to construct a special chord called a slash chord so in this case C5/G. With this you play the fifth on G note on both the D and E strings as well as the C note on the A string. Sounds really complex but isn't and gives a lovely tone. I won't go into too much detail as slash chords are another topic but it has a nice sound.

Here is a tab of it:
C5/G
e  x
B  x
G  x
D  5
A  3
E  3

Pete don't do anything that's causing you pain, that's your body telling you to stop and you can do a lot of damage getting into awkward positions on the guitar.
I am not really understanding what you mean with your positioning though - if you have a pic of it off your mobile or something and stick it on here I'll take a look. I play power chords with my first and third fingers.

[PetefromFinland]

Oh, I mean just if there´s any "rule" how to hold your middle finger, since it´s not plugging any strings. But I don´t think it matters then.. Justin says it doesn´t really, but I was just wondering will it later somehow.. since he keeps it straight. But I can´t think of what it would affect to..

[bynars99]

One useful thing to try with these is going through the circle of fifths. Start on F, then go up to C, then G etc. stepping in fifths until you get back to F. The complete pattern is: F, C, G, D, A, E, B, F#, C#, Ab, Eb, Bb, F. Start wherever you like and when you run out of room on the fretboard just jump down an octave. It really helps with learning which notes go on which frets and you cover all 12 keys. Also try going through the pattern forwards and backwards.

-JD

[abominationn]

Hi guys,

Just a little tip for those who have problems with playing power chords on the 5Th string.
It worked for me but I'm not sure if it's useful to you guys but when playing power chords on the 5Th string I found it handy to mute the 6Th string using your 2ND finger (that would be your middle finger).
The 2ND finger is just hovering above all of the strings anyway so why not put it down a bit?
I just couldn't mute the 6Th string using my 1st finger so i used the 2ND

and BTW
a good song to practice your power chords would be "Bro hymn" by "pennywise"
It's a very well known song and freaking sweet to play 

[Dr. Acula]

When I'm playing a power chord, is it a bad habit to mute the 3rd string with my little finger?  I find that if I mute the bottom 3 strings by lying my index finger over them I often apply too much pressure to the 1st string causing it to sound, but if I mute the 3rd with my little finger I can apply less pressure and mute them properly.

Thanks.