Power to the Chords (Guitar Lesson)

Lesson 5 introduces the two-note “power chord”, an essential part of every rock guitarist's vocabulary. You've heard this sound in countless songs over fifty years of popular music, and our first three power chords only use one finger! We'll also look at counting and rhythms, and the concept of different note values that last for specific amounts of time: whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, and eighth notes. But the goal in this lesson is not to read the music so much as to feel the rhythm: to be able to “feel” four beats go by so you know when the next cycle of four counts will begin. We'll also look at how to use a metronome to practice playing in time, and wrap up with a fun and easy rock track.

The term “power chord” can refer to a few different forms that all share a common sound: the two lowest notes are a specific distance apart. We're using the term to refer to a two-note chord that consists of a root, the note that names the chord, and a fifth, which would be the fifth note in a sequence that starts with the root and proceeds through the musical alphabet. These simple two-note chords are often indicated with a number 5, and so our three chords in this lesson are E5, A5, and D5.

To play E5, simply touch the index finger to the 2nd fret of the fifth string and then strike the fifth and sixth strings together. This requires just a small motion of the pick, really just a dip of the thumb. There's no need to swing the whole arm, since we don't have a whole lot of distance to cover. If it helps to stabilize the hand, you can rest the right (picking) hand palm against the bridge of the guitar (at the base of the strings, behind where your strumming hand falls).

Proceeding to the A5 and D5 chords is simple. Move that single finger over to the 2nd fret of the fourth string and strike strings 4 and 5 together to play A5. Then move your finger to the same fret on the third string and strike strings 3 and 4 to play D5. Keep the movements small in both hands, and don't allow the left hand finger to move too far away from the strings. Keep it extended and simply shift over from one string to the next as you change chords.

Before we go to our exercise, we need to take a moment to look at note values. There are different types of notes that last for specific numbers of beats, and the terms are probably familiar: whole notes (4 counts), half notes (2 counts), quarter notes (1 count) and eighth notes (half a count, or two notes for one count). To play our exercise, you'll need to be able to count and feel all four types of notes. We learn to do this by practicing with a metronome.

The metronome keeps a steady beat to play along with as you practice. Before you start to play, set the metronome to a slow tempo – in this case, 60 beats per minute – and go through the different note values by striking the chord and letting it ring out for the desired number of beats. For some of you, this will come very naturally, while others may need to work harder to match your internal sense of time with the clicks of the metronome. Remember that feeling the beat is your ultimate goal. After a while, you won't need to count any more, because your body will feel each beat going by.

Our exercise “Party Like It's 1986” uses our three power chords with a variety of rhythms in whole, half, quarter, and eighth notes. When playing with the track, pay close attention to the drums to keep time. Give it some attitude and you're ready to rock!

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