Guitar Tricks Online Guitar Lessons

Learn & Play Song: Route 5

 
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It can be a lot of fun to simply move the power chords around on the neck purely based on what's sounds good to your ear. But you'll get infinitely more use out of the power chords if you can find out how to name them, and this the first of many times that our theory work in the previous chapter is going to pay off.

The note that names this power chord is the one we play with our index finger. The note that names a chord is called the root note. So the root note of an A chord is A. The root note of an E chord is E.

The idea is to use your knowledge of the note names to count your way up the low E-string and find the name of the root note.

I hope you've enjoyed this first introduction to the sound of power chords. Power chords are used in all styles of music that includes guitar, and as we go through the course we'll continue to explore all the cool things you can do with these. In the meantime I encourage you to experiment freely on your own.

Instructor Anders Mouridsen
Tutorial:
Power Chords
Styles:
Any Style
Difficulty:
print notation download lesson open guitar tuner
Learn & Play Song: Route 5 song notation
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Learn & Play Song: Route 5 By Anders Mouridsen

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Questions & Answers

4 months ago
Hi! When I'm playing the power chords, I've got one or more strings buzzing. Any ideas as to the likely culprit, or ways to go about eliminating the buzz?
Mike Olekshy 3 months ago

Hey there - thanks so much for your question! Start with the 5th fret of the low E string and pick the note. Is it buzzing? Make sure you are pressing your finger hard enough to sound a note - but not super hard. Just enough pressure to hear the note. Also check the same thing with the 7th fret of the A string. If you do this, and cannot eliminate the buzz with sufficient finger pressure - then your guitar might need a setup from a qualified guitar tech. If you're able to eliminate the buzzing on each individual note, then the next step is to practice making the chord by fretting both notes at the same time. If you are now hearing buzzing, it may be because your fingers are not used to stretching and pressing into the fretboard with enough pressure together. That's okay - it will come with lots of repetition. In the meantime, you can move the chord shape up the fretboard a bit - say the 8th fret of the low E and the 10th fret of the A string - where the frets are a little closer together to practice making the chord. Stick with it - you'll get it!! Hope this helps!!

1 year ago
Hello, I just have a question about muting the lower strings. I pretty much just use the rest of my pinky to mute the other strings while it stays on the A string but I find it easier if when I pluck I only just pluck the E and A and sometimes D strings, is that ok or should I be plucking all the strings? Thanks
Mike Olekshy 1 year ago

Hello - thanks so much for your question! Yes, it's totally okay to only pluck the lower strings in this case, as the only notes we need are on the low E and A strings.

1 year ago
Hi, Is there an exercise I can do to stretch my fingers. I do use my pinky for this but there is no way my ring finger can get over there. My fingers just don't go that way. Thank you
Mike Olekshy 1 year ago

Hello - thanks so much for your question! It is common to have to use the pinky for this move at first. In order to practice this with the ring finger, I suggest moving the chord way up the neck and practicing it where the frets are much closer together. Then, as you get more and more comfortable, start moving the chord back down the neck. The goal is to practice with lots of repetition so that the muscle memory strengthens and then loosens up your fingers. Hope this helps!

1 year ago
This left hand position is making my wrist to hurt. What I can posible doing wrong?
Mike Olekshy 1 year ago

Hello - thanks for your question! If your wrist is hurting - stop playing immediately! Make sure your thumb is positioned roughly in the middle of the back of the neck and then use your index and pinky fingers to fret the chords. Be intentional about not pressing too hard onto the frets. Just press hard enough so that each fretted note is ringing clearly without buzzing. Try to keep your fingers, hand, and wrist as relaxed as possible while working on this. If your wrist still hurts, try moving the chords up the neck to around the 7th fret and work on them there. The frets are closer together in this area of the neck, so perhaps it will put less strain on your wrist. Hope this helps!

1 year ago
How do you know when to move on to the next lesson? Just when you are comfortable with what is being shown?
Mike Olekshy 1 year ago

Hello - thanks so much for this question! I recommend only moving on to the next lesson when you understand the material presented, and can play along with the example - either at full tempo, or at a slower speed. You do not necessarily need to have complete mastery of the technique or example. Even though you've moved ahead to the next topic, you can always return to this lesson during your practice routine to continue working on it! Hope this helps!

2 years ago
Hi, I am struggling with learning the notes on the frets and counting up/down to know where sharps, flats and power chord names. Is there any other resources or suggestions to help me better understand and follow please? Thank you
Mike Olekshy 2 years ago

Hi Rosanna - thanks for your question! Please refer to our Fretboard Diagram page that is available in the Toolbox section of GuitarTricks. This will allow you to make sure you are correctly naming the note on each fret. Here's a direct link: https://www.guitartricks.com/toolbox-assets/fretboard-diagram.pdf Hope this helps!