Power Chords and Movable Shapes

What Is a Power Chord?

A power chord consists of just two distinct notes: the root and the perfect 5th. Because there is no 3rd, power chords are neither major nor minor — they sound open, strong, and ambiguous. This is why they are the backbone of rock, punk, metal, and grunge rhythm guitar.

Power chords come in two basic shapes:

• E-form (root on 6th string) — fret the root with your index finger on the 6th string, then add the 5th two frets higher on the 5th string with your ring finger. Optionally double the root an octave up on the 4th string.

• A-form (root on 5th string) — same shape, but starting on the 5th string with the 5th on the 4th string.

Because there are only two notes (plus optional octave doublings), power chords are easy to move around the neck. They also work well with distortion, which makes complex chords sound muddy but keeps power chords tight and punchy.

A5 Power Chord — E-Form

Study the A5 power chord using the E-form (root on the 6th string at fret 5). Only the 6th, 5th, and optionally 4th strings are played — all other strings should be muted.

Play D5 as an A-Form Power Chord

• Place your index finger on the 5th string at fret 5 (the note D)
• Add your ring finger two frets higher on the 4th string at fret 7 (the note A)
• Strum only the 5th and 4th strings — mute all others with light finger contact
• Check that the unused strings are silent; palm muting and finger muting both work
• Move the shape to play E5 (fret 7) and G5 (fret 10) without changing your hand shape