POWER CHORDS (also known as 5 chords)

Power chords are most associated with a hard rock style of music.

However, even though they are called "chords", they cannot technically be chords, since chords must have 3 notes or more...and power chords only have 2 different notes.

Don't worry if you don't understand what I'm about to say. It's not important. I'm only saying it because its a little technicality.

Power chords can't be categorized as sounding either major (happy) or minor (sad), since they only have the 1st and 5th interval.

In order for a chord to be a major or minor chord, it must have the third interval which changes the entire tone of the chord to make it sound either "happy" or "sad".

Since power chords have only the 1st and 5th interval, they're also sometimes referred to as "5-chords")

For example, if you want someone to play a power-chord, you could tell them to play an...

• A5

• C#5

• G5, etc...

When using a lot of distortion it is best to use power chords, instead of strumming an entire chord (since strumming the entire chord might give you unwanted sounds)

It's also best to use power chords when you need quick chord changes.

There are 3 different power chord patterns. Once you have these patterns down you will then be able to play almost all types of rock, punk and other styles of "hard" music.

Nonetheless, power chords can also be used in softer kinds of music, so don't skip this section...besides, they're the easiest chords to play!