Hi pals. I wasn't sure where to put this. I thought about in tabs, and then I thought about Other Music, but then it didn't seem quite right.
Can somebody explain power chords to me?
How do you make them, and are they just a technical chord (like a sixth or something) but they're called power chords because rockers use them?
Thank you.
They are easier to do than a bar chord. Use the same technique as when you do a bar chord, but just strum the first three strings (remove your middle finger too) - and muffle the remaining three strings (or don't strum them). Also, strum down with enthusiasm.
Better yet, watch Pete Townshend footage.
a good example: an E power chord
e-x
b-x
g-x
d-2
a-2
e-0
or A:
e-x
b-x
g-x
d-7
a-7
e-5
it's basically just the root note and the fifth and then the octave (but you can play it without playing the d string even (or you can move the root onto the A string).
The reason rockers use em is because there's no tonality (no major/minor third involved) so it requires no skill in putting chords together, basically whatever you want without too much thought. And they're easy to move.
and it you ever see a chord listed as E5 or A5 or Bb5, that's a power chord.
OK, but can power chords be different for different artists?
Let's say Jewel is out there and needs a geat power chord for emphasis or movement; will that be the same power chord as, lets say, Kirk Hammett of Metallica would use??
it'd be the same power chord as this man:
(http://www.nolifetilmetal.com/images/metjames.jpg)
but with a little more love and more canadian and played on an acoustic.
Yep, definitive answer on this one: Jaimoe & Eisey!
Werd ye bringers of the powerchords to the people.
(Eisey, Jewel is NOT Canadian. I think she's from Alaska. Hold on, alaska... ...
.......
....
ba dump bum).
Anyhoooo, so I thought powerchords were going to be a lot more interesting than that. damn. I'd rather bar them.
Barracuda would consist of power chords, I guess, right?
Barracuda does indeed. I'm sorry Meg, i thought Jewel was canadian, but i knew she was from up there with a lot of snow somewhere. Just more westward.
Quote
Anyhoooo, so I thought powerchords were going to be a lot more interesting than that. damn. I'd rather bar them.
If you're trying them on an acoustic it ain't gonna sound right. You gotta have an electric with a ridiculous amount of distortion on it for them to sound right. When I think power chords I think of "smells like teen spirit". It's just:
133xxx
x133xx
466xxx
x466xx
Turn up the gain and get 'er a shot.
;D