Guitar Power Chords

Rhythm and chords have always been the popular foundation for all types of music. Guitar Power Chords are essentially, just 2 (many times 3) of the strongest tonal notes in the key of the song, which creates powerful sounding chords all by themselves.

Power chords are sometimes notated with a numeric '5' following its root note, as in C5 (C power chord), in which case it specifically refers to playing the root and fifth of the chord" as quoted and referenced from the description of Power Chords at Wikipedia.

Further it states, "Although the use of the term power chord has, to some extent, spilled over into the vocabulary of other instrumentalists, namely keyboards and synthesizer players, it remains essentially a (fundamental) part of the rock guitar culture and is most strongly associated with the over-driven electric guitar styles of hard rock, heavy metal, punk rock, and similar genres."

And, if you choose to stick with just the '2' notes for your power chords, you'll find that they'll work both for major and minor keys. So, the simplest of chords can be just, if not more, powerful than full chordal structures with your instrument playing.

Power chords sound so strong because they are 'attacked' on the bass strings of guitar fretboard, which contain only the strongest of chordal tones. These are the 'root' note(s) with the dominate fifth. Power chords are not usually strummed to the rhythm of the song. Rather, they work closely with the percussion or drums to provide a strong steady energy pulse or syncopated driving rhythm that is commonly achieved by using aggressive "down" strums while sustaining, dampening, deadening and sliding the power chords.

Most players just want to sound good. Just like the dictionary is to the writer, the Music Dial provides the tools for immediate reference to all the good and cool sounding chords and scales on a handy movable device. You may consider including the Power Chord(s) Dial as a permanent fixture in your music library, as a lifetime music reference guide and your primary music resource assistant for power chords, or for any other musical instrument playing experience.

Have a great musical day and Power On!

Ron Greene