Power Chords

Ex 26, the C major chord, is voiced root, third, fifth, root, third. In it's largest form, this chord is usually applied to rock, metal, with the first string eliminated. In even smaller forms, this chord can be broken up in numerous ways. Strings three through five, two through four, and strings one through three are all C major triads. Remember Ex 22? This C power chord contains the second and third strings of the above C major chord.

Even though the G major chord usually shown in most beginner's books in in the form of Ex 27, most rock and metal players use it in the form of Ex 28. Ex 27 is voiced root, third, fifth, root, fifth, root. Ex 28 is voiced root, third, fith, root, fifth, root. The only difference between the two is that Ex 27 repeats the chord's third degree played on the second string, as opposed to Ex 28 which repeats the chord's fifth. Remember a chord's fifth degree is a more popular rock and metal tone.

Ex 28 can also be broken up in a few ways. Holding down the first and second strings with one finger, played together with the third and fourth strings open, is on way. Ex 8 played open, as we discussed earlier, and Ex 16 are both smaller forms of Ex 28.

Ex 29, E major, is voiced root, fifth, root, third, fifth, root. This chord is almost always used in rock and metal music in the smaller form of Ex 7 with the sixth string open, as we covered before, or in the smaller form of Ex 19. Ex 16 played open, which we also covered earlier, has the first two strings of this E major chord.

Another type of two note chord that is used alot in rock is the combo of the root and third, or flatted third for minor chords. They are not as common as the root plus fifth, but are used enough for me to include them here.

Examples 30 through 39 are all voiced root, third (or flatted third). I have indicated under each example whether the chord is major or minor.