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Free · 12 power chords to see and hear

Power chords

A power chord is two notes, a root and the fifth above it, usually with the root again an octave up. It is written with a 5: E5 is E and B. With no third it is neither major nor minor, and it stays clear through a distorted amp, so rock, punk and metal are built on it. One three-string shape plays all twelve: pick a root, then strum or chug each shape.

Root

E5

E power chord · E B · root and fifth

  • 12EBE

    Open position

    Open E5

    022xxx

  • 2fr134EBE

    2nd fret

    Root on the 4th string

    xx245x

  • 7fr134EBE

    7th fret

    Root on the 5th string

    x799xx

Dots show where each finger goes, numbered 1 (index) to 4 (little); the green ones are E, the root. Chug plays four short strums, the sound of a palm resting on the strings.

How to play E5 on guitar

How to play a power chord

The root with your 1st finger

Press the chord’s root on the 6th string, or on the 5th, with the tip of your index finger. G is the 6th string’s 3rd fret, so that is G5’s root.

The fifth and octave two frets up

Put your 3rd finger two frets higher on the next string, the fifth, and your 4th finger on the string after it at the same fret, the root an octave up. G5 is 355xxx.

Strum only those three strings

Let your 1st finger’s underside rest on the thinner strings so they stay quiet, and start the strum on the root. A loose strum then hits only the notes you want.

Move it for every other chord

The shape has no open strings, so it plays every power chord: slide it a fret up and it is a half step higher. On the 5th string the same shape is C5 at the 3rd fret.

Leave off the top note and it is still a power chord: the root and fifth on two strings, 35xxxx for G5, which is easier to move fast. On the 4th string the octave sits a fret further up, because the 2nd string is tuned a third above the 3rd, not a fourth like the others: D5 there is xx023x open, and A5 is x-x-7-9-10-x at the 7th fret.

Why power chords sound so strong

Distortion adds new tones from every pair of notes a chord sounds. From a root and a fifth they line up with the chord, the strongest an octave below the root, so the chord sounds bigger. From a third they land between notes, and a full chord turns muddy. Strum both through the same driven amp and hear it.

E major

Six strings, with the third (G♯)

231EBEG♯BE

E5

Three strings, root and fifth only

12EBE

Power chord chart

Each power chord’s root on the 6th and the 5th string, with the shape written as tab from the 6th string to the 1st: a number for the fret, 0 for open and x for not played. Tap a chord for every way to play it.

Every power chord with its root on the 6th and the 5th string
ChordRoot on the 6thRoot on the 5th
C58th fret
8-10-10-x-x-x		3rd fret
x355xx
C♯59th fret
9-11-11-x-x-x		4th fret
x466xx
D510th fret
10-12-12-x-x-x		5th fret
x577xx
E♭511th fret
11-13-13-x-x-x		6th fret
x688xx
E5Open
022xxx		7th fret
x799xx
F51st fret
133xxx		8th fret
x-8-10-10-x-x
F♯52nd fret
244xxx		9th fret
x-9-11-11-x-x
G53rd fret
355xxx		10th fret
x-10-12-12-x-x
A♭54th fret
466xxx		11th fret
x-11-13-13-x-x
A55th fret
577xxx		Open
x022xx
B♭56th fret
688xxx		1st fret
x133xx
B57th fret
799xxx		2nd fret
x244xx

Every note on every fret, to find any root, is on the guitar fretboard.

Power chords in tab

Riffs online are written as tab: six lines, the high e string on top and the low E at the bottom, and a number for each fret to press. A power chord is a stack of two or three numbers. This is E5, G5 and A5 on the 6th string, the first riff below.

e|-----------|
B|-----------|
G|-----------|
D|--2--5--7--|
A|--2--5--7--|
E|--0--3--5--|

Three power chord riffs to start with

Each riff is a bar of eighth notes, played twice at 120 beats a minute: four strums on the first chord, two on each of the others. Play one and strum along.

  1. E5G5A5

    One shape up the 6th string: E5 open, G5 at the 3rd fret and A5 at the 5th.

    022xxx ×4 · 355xxx ×2 · 577xxx ×2

  2. A5C5D5

    The same move on the 5th string: A5 open, C5 at the 3rd fret and D5 at the 5th.

    x022xx ×4 · x355xx ×2 · x577xx ×2

  3. D5C5G5

    Rock’s ♭VII move: D5 and C5 on the 5th string, then G5 on the 6th string at the same 3rd fret as C5.

    x577xx ×4 · x355xx ×2 · 355xxx ×2

Every power chord

Each page has the chord’s three shapes to strum and chug, where each finger goes in words, its notes and the power chords that usually come next.

C5C♯5D5E♭5E5F5F♯5G5A♭5A5B♭5B5

For major, minor, seventh and more chords, with every shape, see the guitar chord chart.

Questions about power chords

What is a power chord?

A chord of two notes, a root and the fifth above it, usually with the root again an octave up. E5 is E and B. It is the chord of rock, punk and metal guitar.

Why is a power chord written with a 5?

The 5 names the interval: the fifth above the root. E5 means E and its fifth, B. It is said "E five".

Are power chords major or minor?

Neither. A chord’s third makes it major or minor, and a power chord has none, so one power chord fits in a major or a minor key.

Why do power chords sound good with distortion?

Distortion adds new tones from every pair of notes it hears. From a root and a fifth they line up with the chord, the strongest an octave below the root, so it sounds bigger. From a major or minor third they land between notes, and a full chord turns muddy.

How do you play power chords?

Put your 1st finger on the root on the 6th or 5th string, and your 3rd and 4th fingers two frets higher on the next two strings. Strum only those three strings. Move the shape along the neck for every other power chord.

How do you mute the other strings?

Let the underside of your 1st finger rest lightly on the thinner strings, and let the tip touch the string below the root. Then a loose strum hits only the notes you want. For the chugging sound, rest the side of your picking hand on the strings by the bridge.

What is the difference between a power chord and a barre chord?

A barre chord plays five or six strings with the third in it, so it is major or minor. A power chord plays two or three strings with no third. It is the barre chord’s lowest three strings.

What is a drop D power chord?

Tune the 6th string down a whole step to D and the lowest three strings at one fret are a power chord, played with one finger. Open, they are D5.

Make a rock beat to play along to

Opens the free editor with a rock beat in E major on E A B A, a driven electric guitar playing the chords. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Make a rock beat in EGuitar chords

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