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You are here: Home / Guitar Chords / Power chord

September 2, 2013 By Richie Leave a Comment

Power chord

A power chord is composed using a root/1st and perfect 5th intervals played simultaneously, frequently with the addition of a root/octave (octave doubling). Generally written as C5, C5 or C5, it is good practice to simply use an uppercase C followed by a super scripted 5 to represent it in writing (ie: C5).

Power chords are generally associated with heavy metal and hard rock however, in today’s musical environment you are likely to see them in any of the modern styles, their increasing popularity due to ease of play and lack of minor or major chord qualities (there is no 3rd interval present). Often power chords also contain an additional root octave, making an interval formula of root/1st, perfect 5th and root/octave (R/1-5-1).


Power chord profile

Intervals root/1st, perfect 5th or R/1-5 (or R/1-5-1)
Stability Consonant, resolved
Grouping class Dyad or interval
Common names (examples in C) C5, C5, C5


Chord shapes/voicings

  • Power chord shapes
  • Help
  • Guitar neck notes
  • Octave chart
Power chord shapes for guitar
Chord box reading guide
All notes on guitar neck
Guitar octave chart guide


Audio sample(s)

D Power chord voicing #2 http://guitar.ricmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/power-chord/d-five-power-chord-voicing-2.mp3




Filed Under: Guitar Chords, Other Chords

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