Reading a power chords chart involves the same concept as reading a regular chord chart. Of course, before you do this, you will have to be familiar with that power chords are in the first place. Power chords are not traditional chords in the sense that they are only made up of a root note and a perfect fifth interval, and sometimes, a double of the root in a higher octave. It lacks the major or minor third interval for it to be considered a chord. A power chord is also known as the fifth chord.
To play power chords, you have to be able to read a power chords chart so that you can learn the different kinds of power chords and master them, too.
Reading a power chords chart
A power chords chart, just like the regular guitar chord chart, consists of two elements: the chord name and the duration. The chord name, of course, identifies what the chord is. The duration of the chord is expressed in slash notation. For example, one slash means that you strike the chord once with your pick or your fingers.
Chord Voicings
Some power chords chart will also show you how to play correct chord voicing. Voicing is the way that a chord is played. A chord can be played in various ways on the guitar, and each way has its own voicing.
An example of this is the C major power chord. One voicing variation of the C major power chord is to play it in the third fret – press on the A string on the third fret using your first finger, and then press down on the D string on the fifth fret using your third finger. Remember that for this particular chord, you are supposed to mute the E string. That is one voicing of the C major power chord.
Another voicing variation for the C major power chord is to play it on the eighth fret. Press down your index finger on the E string in the eighth fret (that is the C major note) and then press down your third finger on the ninth fret, on the A string.
A chord chart will usually indicate if you are supposed to play an unusual chord voicing instead of an open chord.
Power Chords Chart: Chord Progressions
Now that we know how to read a power chords chart, let us look at how to apply these chords. In rock music, a very commonly used power chord progression is the I – IV – V (or 1, 4, 5) progression. Let’s take the C major chord once again as an example. A 1, 4, 5 progression founded on the C scale will make use of the first, fourth, and fifth notes on this scale – so this would be C, F, and G. So the power chords you will be playing are the C, F, and G power chords in the C scale. This same principle applies with chord progressions in other keys, as well.
We hope that this was able to help you learn more about playing power chords! Good luck and have fun as you learn to play power chords chart using the guitar!