By definition the power chord is not really a chord at all because the definition of a chord is 3 or more notes and a power chord is made by playing a root and a perfect 5th higher. The power chord is written as a letter and the number 5.

Ex. A5 , D5 , Bb5

1. Greenday - Brainstew - a great power chord riff that is easy and fun to play.

2. tripfuse - Trust - the post chorus of trust is another powerchord riff but in drop D tuning.

There are two ways we could build a power chord.

1. We could build a major scale and take the 1st and 5th notes. For ex. build an A major scale and you will find the 1st and 5th to be A and E.

2. We could simply pick a note and find the note a perfect 5th higher (7 half steps). Ex. we start with an A and if we go open 7 half steps we will end up with E.

Mostly we will use fingers 1 and 3 however sometimes you will use 2 and 4. If you have not played for very long, go with 1 and 3 for now.

Do not play the other 4 strings. You will want to get used to your 1st finger laying gently on the other strings so they don't ring if you accidentally hit them.

For a slightly bigger sound we may want to add the pinky for another A. You still want to block the other 3 strings.

More Free Guitar lessons:

Greenday Lesson - this a great one for working on your power chords.

Sign Up - there are plenty of free guitar lessons online but to really advance as a player you need direction. The Musiclearning.Com members section is a complete online method designed to get you on the right path for a lifetime of productive learning.