MAURICIO LPEZ ROCK LESSON

POWER CHORDS

Part 1

Chords are built of 2 or 3 sounds played at once. Two sound chords are called Dyads (two sounds) or Power Chords. These are the most played chords in Rock. Example 1 First Position A5
X X X X X X X X X X

E5
X X

D5

Now, heres how they are written in a score or tablature

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Moving Chords These patterns allow us to build chords in different positions by finding the root not on the guitar fretboard, which is represented in the patterns by a red circle, and denotes the chord. Example 2 Second Position A5
X X X X X X X X X

D5
X X X

E5

5th fret

5th fret

7th fret

As shown in the example above, we have the same chords as in example 1, but this time, in a different place on the fretboard, and in the case of E5, in the upper octave. With A5, we place the note A (root note) on the fifth fret of the sixth string. For E5, the note E (root note) is located on the seventh fret of the fifth string. And for the D5, we play the D note (root note) on the fifth fret of the fifth string. Now, well see these chords in the third position, where we will play the power chords D5 and E5 in the second and third string, which will involve a slightly different fingering, compared to the ones weve seen before.

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Example 3 Third Position A5

X X X X X
7th fret

D5
X X

E5

X X
7th fret

X X

9th fret

Here are three exercises to practice the chord progression A5 - D5 - E5, with three different rhythmic patterns. In the audio track that accompanies Exercise 1, well hear this chord sequence with the patterns played in the first position, then the patterns of the second and finally the pattern of the third position. Apply this pattern positions to all the exercises in this series. Exercise 1 In this first exercise, we will use a whole note to play the chords. Play the strings one time, and let them sound for a period of four beats per measure. Count the beats as you play this exercise (1, 2, 3, 4).

Count

Play /Stop

A5

D5

E5

A5

1, 2, 3, 4

1, 2, 3, 4

1, 2, 3, 4

1, 2, 3, 4

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Exercise 2 The note well use in this exercise is a quarter note. This means that we will play four quarter notes per measure, so now youll play the strings four times. Remember to count while playing.

A5

D5

E5

A5

EXercise 3 This last exercise will be played with eighth notes. This means that we will play eight quavers in each measure. To calculate the length of each quaver, say the words one and two and three and four and while counting. These will help you to keep an even rhythm.

A5 D5 E5 A5
one-and two-and three-and four-and one-and two-and three-and four-and one-and two-and three-and four-and one-and two-and three-and four-and

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