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Power Chords Explained!

Submitted by Walt on Wednesday, 16 July 200816 Comments

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16 Comments »

  • Komodo said:

    Hey walt for all power cords should fingers always be placed like that?
    with 1 being the Note I am playing and 3 and 4 are down 2 frets and up a string?

  • Walt said:

    hmm.. yes and no :) i’ll explain in class

  • Komodo said:

    Dang because i can’t amke it to class wednesdays :( so could you record it?

  • Walt said:

    sure!

  • john G said:

    hey, i am so cunfused about modes. it seem like its really hard to improvise on then. and i was wondering how to play certain keys of different modes like “C” ionian for example or “D” ionian, this goes for all of the modes as well.

  • Walt said:

    OK well there are two questions here:

    1.) Its difficult to improvise on scales/modes

    2.) How to play certain keys of different modes like “C” ionian or “D” ionian.

    OK so here it goes: To work on improvising play different genres of music, also maybe you should take up piano. I imagine you playing ‘inside the box’ on guitar. Meaning, you’re probably stuck on pentatonic scale or another scale spreading over 4 frets. Memorize all the modes and then blend them together and see how they connect. These two pictures may help you:

    http://waltribeiro.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/modes.jpg

    http://waltribeiro.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/modes-together_rt.jpg

    As for the second question, playing a mode in different keys is simply finding out the degree of the scale, and then finding out the root. So a C Phygian is in the key of Ab. Because Phygian is the 3rd mode, so the second would be Bb Dorian, which goes down to Ab Ionion.

    So whatever key your in, take a minute and think of which modes might work. hope that helps John!

  • Intervals in Music | Walt Ribeiro >> Internet's Music Teacher said:

    [...] it? OK good. Now let’s assume you know what a Power Chord is. To refresh you, a Power Chord is also referred to as a ‘5′ chord. So instead of [...]

  • Abshek said:

    Hi!!!!!! I am from the state of Tripura, India. You are doing a nice job. ThanX very much Sir……..

  • John Smith said:

    Would any chord be a “whatever 5″ granted the root repeats? Also the root third and 5th thing only applies to major and minor chords correct?

  • John Smith said:

    Let me rephrase that, would any chord be a “whatever 5″ granted the root repeats on the octave and the 5th is played?

  • Walt said:

    the root can repeat as many times as you want within a chord. it doesn’t change the structure or name of the chord. So an A5 can have 100 A’s in it, and only one ‘E’ (the 5th note) and it would still be an A5 :)

  • Steveman said:

    Hey Walt, is there any way to make your fingers strech across more frets?
    Its not really power chords, but I find I cant do powerchords cause my 4th finger wount stretch far enough.

  • Walt said:

    As for stretching?! Just practice alot! Your finger will eventually get there over time – BUT DON”T FORCE THEM!

    Are you familiar with the Crab Drill? I’m uploading a video about it this week on My Daily Show.. look out for it!

  • Steveman said:

    Crab drill?
    Dont belive so.
    However, stretching does help. I can play power chords after stretching a bit more each practise.

  • nooblordIBNZ said:

    hey Walt…
    can you tell me whats the different between major and minor power chords?
    thanks

  • Walt (author) said:

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