Acoustic Power Chords

[Mhenry41h]

Good afternoon fine ladies and gents. As an older player deciding to learn, I’ve reached a bit of a barrier that I’m slowly battling through and that’s power chords. I’ve seen the 5th played with ring finger, I’ve seen it played with the pinky, and a I’ve seen it played with the ring finger but adding the pinky to the next string down on the same fret. Anyone have any preferences, thoughts, or ideas? Much appreciated.

[pjmacd]

I'm not sure what you mean by "thrift", or which chord you're trying to play.

[merlin666]

I usually play them with index finger on root and the other two notes with ring and pinky finger. Some people with big hands probably can do it just with index and ring or even middle finger. Just don't find many occasions to actually play some.

[BadWithNames]

Originally Posted by pjmacd

I'm not sure what you mean by "thrift", or which chord you're trying to play.

I’m guessing this was intended to be “fifth” then autocorrect happened. I was taught index and ring to play these.

[frankmcr]

0-0-2-2-x-x

for A5 through C#5

x-0-0-2-3-x

for D5 through F#5

x-x-0-0-3-3

for G5 through G#5

[YamahaGuy]

I make the full barre (chord) shape, but only focus on getting the necessary strings played cleanly, i.e. 6, 5, 4 or 5, 3, 4. I could never do the barre with the ring or pinky finger.

[Mhenry41h]

Originally Posted by pjmacd

I'm not sure what you mean by "thrift", or which chord you're trying to play.

Sorry, I meant 5th and autocorrect seemed to run off with it! Lol

In the end, the style of guitar I’m most likely to base my guitar education on is hard rock so learning these is critical (I’m just finding the acoustic guitar to be specifically challenging to play them on - but in the end, learning on the acoustic (I think) should make me better when I’m content to move forward in converting to electric).

[Chipotle]

I might use different fingers at different times, depending on the context. Ring finger, pinky, bar, just two strings, or three strings with ring & pinky or bar if I want the octave.

There isn't a "right" way to do it. Play it however it works for you in that song.

[T.Lime]

whatever feels comfortable and works. Don't get too hung up on technique
( that might be sacrilege around here )

[MartinGibsonFan]

According to the internet, Power chords are 2 note chords.

Is that what you are experimenting with?

When I traditionally think about Power Chords, I'm thinking a nice fat Emaj strummed with all 6 strings, or maybe a Gmaj with all 6 strings.

I'll have to read up on Power Chords and the 2 notes.

I guess if you've got some distortion or color to the 2 notes, the chord sounds pretty good, but played clean, it sounds pretty plain.

J

[roylor4]

I thinks it is easiest to learn:

Power Chord's -
1st with pointing finger and ring finger
2nd including the pinky

This transition will gradually strengthen your hand so you can easily go from a Minor to a Major just by adding middle finger. This has worked for me, anyways

[MartinGibsonFan]

Roylor, thank you for that explanation, especially the added middle finger with the major / minor, I think I'm getting what you are trying to say.

These power chords aren't actually chords (in the sense that I perceive chords to be - i.e. Bb F A etc)

Seems more of an electric guitar phenomena but I think this could be enlightening with the acoustic guitar as well, in working with Triads.

Are Triads a form of a power chord?

Anyway, back to pickin' up my guitar and practicing !!

J

[Chipotle]

Originally Posted by MartinGibsonFan

These power chords aren't actually chords (in the sense that I perceive chords to be - i.e. Bb F A etc)

Are Triads a form of a power chord?

Triads are... well, triads. Three notes. It can be any three, but typically those notes relate back to a particular chord root or scale.

What we call a power chord is two notes, but IMO it's still a chord in the basic definition of "multiple notes sounding simultaneously". The two notes are the root and the 5th.

I think power chords tend to be thought of more as "electric guitar chords" because the distortion and effects (distortion overtones, chorus, etc.) usually used for electric can lend a much bigger sound to a 2-note chord. They have a thinner sound on acoustic to be sure, but they can have their place.

[BadWithNames]

Originally Posted by Chipotle

Triads are... well, triads. Three notes. It can be any three, but typically those notes relate back to a particular chord root or scale.

What we call a power chord is two notes, but IMO it's still a chord in the basic definition of "multiple notes sounding simultaneously". The two notes are the root and the 5th.

I get to be pedantic with my minimal knowledge of theory here .

A triad is a three note chord where the interval from the root to the other notes is a third and a fifth, so not all three note chords are triads.

Also, many people state that two notes don’t qualify as a chord (maybe a dyad). That seems to be a matter of some disagreement.