Guitar Tricks Online Guitar Lessons

The Power Chord Shape

 
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First let's check out how to get our fingers in position for the two-note power chord. First place your index finger in the 3rd fret of the low E-string. The only other note we'll need is in the 5th fret of the A-string. It would be most correct to play this with your ring finger. But since we're just starting out with these, you're welcome to use your pinky instead if that's easier. It is for me.

This is a two-note power chord. It's called a power chord because it doesn't have a strong mood like our happy major chords and sad minor chords. This one is very neutral sounding and works really well with aggressive rock guitar tones.

You probably notice that we're not using any open strings, which means we can move this around all over the neck. Just make sure you keep a fret in between the two notes. Once you move it around you may get the sound of the open strings above the fretted notes. To fix that, we'll have to break the rule about fretting with the very tip of your index finger. Instead we'll try to fret with part of the index finger instead of the fingertip. When you get this right, you'll feel how your index finger naturally rests on and mutes the higher strings. It doesn't have to mute all the strings necessarily; just the ones that are closest to the fretted notes.

Instructor Anders Mouridsen
Tutorial:
Power Chords
Styles:
Any Style
Difficulty:
print notation download lesson open guitar tuner
The Power Chord Shape song notation

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Questions & Answers

2 months ago
Hello! I am able to do this exercise along with the instructor but after I finish it, my whole hand starts aching. Will this issue get better with regular exercise? Thanks!
Mike Olekshy 2 months ago

Hello - thanks for your question! As soon as you feel any aches or pain in your hand - stop playing immediately and have a break. Yes, you should start building endurance in your hand - but you should use caution and try not to do too much too soon. For example, if playing through the entire exercise causes your hand to ache, then I would cut the exercise in half - play the first half, then take a break for a few minutes, then play the 2nd half of the exercise. Hopefully, you won't experience any aching this way. As you build your skills and endurance on the fretboard, you should be able to play longer without any aches. Hope this helps!!

7 months ago
Hi! I'm having a lot of trouble covering the D-High E strings while making the Low E and A strings make a clear sound. My pinky is very lopsided too since my hands are small. Is there anything I can do to fix this? Thanks!
Mike Olekshy 6 months ago

Hey there - thanks so much for your question! Indeed, the making the notes of the power chord sound clear as well as muting the unused open strings is a bit challenging at first. Make sure you are practicing this regularly, as it takes repetition and some time for the fingers and muscles to relax into what you're asking them to do. Keep trying the exercise Anders is doing at 1:50 in the video - which is to just focus on your index finger, fretting the low string with the pad of the finger, and laying the rest of the finger over top the remaining strings to mute them. Even if you just work on this for a few minutes at a time, it will begin to feel more natural. Then you can add the pinky to the fretted note on the A string after it feels more comfortable. Keep at it - take it slow, and eventually you'll get it!!! Hope this helps!!

1 year ago
Hello! This is great stuff! I am getting way better at timing, which I've never really worked on, so my timing was horrible. I've been counting along with the songs and strumming but I find myself getting lost in the count and not knowing which bar I'm on. Are there any tips for counting or keeping track of the bars while counting the rhythm? Thank you! LoC
Mike Olekshy 1 year ago

Hello, and thanks so much for your question! Here are a few tips - slow down the tempo when you practice. This will make it easier for you to execute your strums smoothly, but also make it easier to count along. Another idea is to tap your foot along with the beat so that your strum locks in to the rhythm a little easier so you focus on counting a little easier. Hope these help!

2 years ago
Hi! Thanks for the great lessons. I have trouble getting my finger to lay across the open strings. My finger are long! How important is this? Do you have tips?
Mike Olekshy 1 year ago

Hello and thanks for the question! It can be tricky at first to position the index finger as Anders instructs in the lesson. You can use your finger tips if you focus on only strumming the 2 fretted strings of the power chord. only. Anders is showing you a way to mute the other open strings if you happen to strum all the strings, but it's not an issue if you only strum the fretted strings. Don't worry about it too much if it's too difficult right now!

2 years ago
Hi, I'm finding that I get a better result if I don't barre my index finger for power chords, is that okay? I'm not hitting the D at all and I get a clearer tone. Thank you!
Mike Olekshy 1 year ago

Hello - thanks so much for your question! Yes, that is totally okay!! Go with whatever is working for you!