How to Play all Power Chord on Guitar

Power Chords on Guitar

How to play Guitar

( A, A#, Bb, B, C, C#, Db, D, Eb, E, F, F#, Gb, G, G#, Ab Guitar Power Chord )

Want to learn all different Power Chords?

Well, you have learnt open chords started playing songs on Guitar with proper chord progression. May or may not try bar chords on Guitar but now what’s next?

You are at right place, Guitar Chords with Prince!!!

In this lesson we are going to learn about all Power chords, different positions and how to play different Power chords on guitar. We will learn all chords mentioned below,

A Power Chord, A# (A Sharp) Power Chord, Bb (B Flat) Power Chord, B Power Chord, C Power Chord, C# (C Sharp) Power Chord, Db (D Flat) Power Chord, D Power Chord, Eb (E Flat) Power Chord, E Power Chord, F Power Chord, F# (F Sharp) Power Chord, Gb (G Flat) Power Chord, G Power Chord, G# (G Sharp) Power Chord, Ab (A Flat) Power Chord.

The best thing about Power Chords is their Resonating effect which personally I like the most.

So, the thing with power chords on guitar is really interesting is that there is only one shape and we need to just shift the fret to play the other power chord. However hold the shape is based on our interest and requirement.

And it is really important to realize that these power chords has three guitar notes which are the thickest three strings and other three strings are dead (muted). The position of power chord on guitar looks like a bar chord from distance. However we are just muting first three high strings with the help of our index finger. In the bar chord we are pressing all string at one fret by our index finger  unlike in  power chord we are just pressing the lowest E string with the index finger and just touching other five string so as to mute all of them.

Now the cool thing about power chords is only one shape just move around so even you don’t need to change the shape of the chord throughout the song. In other words we don’t need to learn too many power chord shapes to play any song.  For example pick G5 power chord or G power chord then if you will move same pattern to one fret towards right side on the fretboard this G5 power chord will become G# Power Chord and then A power Chord and so on.

There are so many songs used these power chords and you can also play and fit these anywhere.

Now let’s play our first Power chord on guitar and that is,

G Power Chord (G5 Power Chord):

This shape of G power chord is also known as G5 Power chord. The important thing to understand in Power chord is to pick the Root note from your index finger, in other words power chords on guitar starts from the Root note only. If you will look at the G chord representation in below figure so you will realize that the chord shape starts from the G note on sixth string third fret, basically sixth string on third fret position is actually G note so this G power chord need to starts from this place only. 

Understanding notes on guitar strings at different position is also important so if you want to learn the easy and absolutely correct technique to get the notes name you can check out lesson ‘Guitar Chords and Position Technique’.

This lesson is very Important in terms of understanding Guitar related existing theories as this lesson explains you about different notes available and their sequence and their position on each string, how different Chords are form by keeping same pattern and by just changing fret position. This lesson will clear all your doubts.

Fig. Representation of G Power Chord

To play G power chord on guitar you need to place your index finger on the sixth string third fret at the same time try to just touch all other strings in the third fret, your middle finger reaching up on the fifth string fifth fret and your pinky finger on the forth string fifth string.

Try to lock your middle finger and pinky finger with each other in the same position, this will help you further to move on to other frets keeping same finger shape to play other power chords on Guitar.

This G power chord position seems to be same as bar chord position only difference is that in bar chord you will put barre (bar) correctly on the fret however while playing power chord you will use index finger to pick only one note and mute all other strings on same fret (not to press down any other string).

At the time of placing your middle finger after placing your index finger you probable will find it little stretchy and difficult hopefully your are doing finger stretch exercises as a part of your exercises you are doing every day. If so you don’t feel too much trouble to acquire this position of Power chords on guitar.

Now after getting required pattern before start of strumming just play each string individually to make sure that all three thick strings are sounding nice and other three treble strings are muted.

Now, let’s check out other Power chords available with the same pattern,

1.    F Power Chord on Guitar:

The first Power chord on the fretboard is F Power Chord and to acquire its pattern or chord shape we need to place index finger on the F note on sixth string. Now, the position of F note on sixth or low E string (thickest string) is at first fret. Let’s quickly review F Power Chord position,

Fig. Representation of F Power Chord

To play F power chord on Guitar, place your first (Index) finger on the sixth or low E string first fret, your Ring finger on fifth string third fret and your pinky (forth) finger on the fourth string third fret. Keep this position and pluck each string one by one, make sure all string (E, A & D) sixth string, fifth string and forth string sound should be clean and clear and all other three treble strings are muted by you index finger.

Also don’t try to mute only these three strings, actually you need to mute all string except low E string with the help of you index finger. Since you have already placed your fingers on fifth and fourth strings on higher fret (third fret) so in that case it doesn’t matter whether you are muting only three strings on first fret or all strings. Only thing matters is first three low string (String E, A and D) should sound clearly and other three are muted.

2.    F# (F sharp) Power Chord or Gb (G Flat) Power Chord:

This is the second power chord on guitar fretboard which is F# (F sharp) Power Chord and also known as Gb (G flat) Power Chord to play on Guitar. F# power chord name itself justifies its position we need to place our Index finger on the F# or Gb note on sixth string which is at second fret.

Fig. Representation of F# or Gb Power Chord

Let’s move on to pick F# or Gb chord pattern,

Place your index finger on sixth string second fret which is the root note of F# or Gb chord on guitar, place you ring finger on fifth string forth fret and your pinky finger on forth string forth fret. Also, before start playing F# or Gb power chord make sure all three low string sound nice and clear and strings one to three are muted then after play F# power chord.

You do not need to try to place your middle finger on the fifth string forth fret as there is no need of Middle finger in Power chords.

3.    G Power Chord on Guitar:

G Power chord is the third power chord in this sequence. To play G power chord we need to pick the G note on sixth string, this is the first mandatory and required qualifying step to proceed, the another condition is the pattern we need to keep the pattern static while moving around the guitar neck from one fret to other to play different chords.

Fig. Representation of G Power Chord

Let’s quickly review G Power chord pattern on guitar,

Place your index finger on sixth string third fret which is the root note G power chord on guitar, place you ring finger on fifth string fifth fret and your pinky finger on forth string fifth fret to play G Power Chord.

As soon as you started playing these Power Chords on guitar in the same sequence then you will realize that all these chords are besides each other and we are moving towards right side of the fretboard keeping same pattern intact.

4.    G# (G sharp) Guitar chord or Ab (A flat) Power Chord on Guitar:

G# power chord is also termed as G sharp power chord and is also known as Ab Power chord (A flat power chord), don’t get confused with the difference in name sequence and used alphabets, actually it’s a cyclic and repetitive pattern of notes. As per the Guitar music theory G# (G sharp Note) Note is the twelfth and last note available in the sequence and after this Note name again starts from A note and that is the reason we are calling G# note or guitar chord as Ab (A flat) note or guitar chord.

Fig. Representation of G# or Ab Power Chord

Let’s quickly pick and play G# (G sharp) Power Chord or Ab (A flat) Power Chord pattern on guitar.

How to play G# Guitar Power Chord:

Place your index finger on sixth string forth fret which is the root note G# power chord or Ab power chord on guitar, place your Ring finger on fifth string sixth fret and your Pinky finger on forth string sixth fret to play G# power guitar chord (G sharp) or Ab (A flat) power chord on Guitar correctly.

We’ll just review and discuss other guitar chord pattern quickly and I am sharing the guitar chord chart for all the different position to confirm their associated position on Guitar neck.

5.    A Power Chord on Guitar:

Let’s quickly pick and play A Power Chord pattern on Guitar,

Fig. Representation of A Power Chord

Place your index finger on sixth string fifth fret which is the root note A power chord on guitar, place your Ring finger on fifth string seventh fret and your Pinky finger on forth string seventh fret to play A Power Chord on Guitar. Don’t forget to check the clarity of each string before start strumming.

6.    A# (A sharp) Power Chord or Bb (B flat) Power Chord on Guitar:

Let’s quickly review A# (A sharp) or Bb (B flat) Power Chord pattern on guitar,

Fig. Representation of A# or Bb Power Chord

Place your index finger on sixth string sixth fret which is the root note A# Power Chord or Bb Power Chord on guitar, place your Ring finger on fifth string eighth fret and your Pinky finger on forth string eighth fret to play A# power chord (A Sharp) or Bb (B Flat) power chord on Guitar correctly.

7.    B Power Chord on Guitar:

To play B Power Chord on guitar you need to keep your finger position intact and move one fret towards right side.

Fig. Representation of B Power Chord

Place your index finger on sixth string seventh fret which is the root note of B power chord on guitar, place your Ring finger on fifth string ninth fret and your Pinky finger on forth string ninth fret to play B power chord on Guitar correctly.

8.    C Power Chord on Guitar:

Before review C Power Chord on Guitar, there is an interesting part, I am expecting this query from your side that after reviewing every chord we are discussing same chord followed by # sharp.

Let me answer this, basically there is no Sharp (#) or Flat (b) in between B and C Notes or chords & in between E and F Notes or chords on Guitar. And that is the reason we are discussing C Power Chord just after B Power Chord. Same will happen at the time of reviewing E Power Chord and F Power Chord.

Fig. Representation of C Power Chord

Let’s review C Power Chord on Guitar,

Place your index finger on sixth string eighth fret which is the root note of C power chord on guitar fretboard, place your Ring finger on fifth string tenth fret and your Pinky finger on forth string tenth fret to play C power chord on Guitar correctly.

9.    C# Power Guitar Chord or Db (D Flat) Power Chord on Guitar:

As we are moving towards the right side of the guitar neck you will realize that the Pitch of the chords and notes are becoming high with every fret move.

Let’s review C# (C Sharp) Power Guitar Chord or Db (D Flat) Power Chord on Guitar,

Fig. Representation of C# or Db Power Chord

How to Play C# Guitar Power Chord:

Place your index finger on sixth string ninth fret which is the root note of C# (C Sharp) power guitar chord or Db (D Flat) Power Chord on guitar fretboard, place your Ring finger on fifth string eleventh fret and your Pinky finger on forth string eleventh fret to play C# power guitar chord on Guitar correctly.

10.                      D Power Chord on Guitar:

The next chord we are going to discuss is D Power chord on Guitar.

Fig. Representation of D Power Chord

Let’s review D Power Chord on guitar,

Place your index finger on sixth string tenth fret which is the root note of D power chord on guitar fretboard, place your Ring finger on fifth string twelfth fret and your Pinky finger on forth string twelfth  fret to play D Power Chord on Guitar correctly. After acquiring D Power Chord position on guitar when you move one Fret towards right side same shape becomes D# (D Sharp) or Eb (E Flat) Power Chord position.

11.                      D# (D Sharp) Power Chord or Eb (E Flat) Power Chord on Guitar:

Let’s review D# (D Sharp) Power Chord or Eb (E Flat) Power chord on guitar,

Fig. Representation of D# or Eb Power Chord

Place your index finger on sixth string eleventh fret which is the root note of D# (D Sharp) power chord or Eb (E Flat) Power Chord on guitar fretboard, place your Ring finger on fifth string thirteen fret and your Pinky finger on forth string thirteen fret to play of D# (D Sharp) Power Chord or Eb (E Flat) Power Chord on Guitar correctly.

12.                      E Power Chord on Guitar:

Let’s review E Power chord on Guitar,

Fig. Representation of E Power Chord

Place your index finger on sixth string twelfth fret which is the root note of E power chord on guitar fretboard, place your Ring finger on fifth string fourteenth fret and your Pinky finger on forth string fourteenth  fret to play E power chord on Guitar correctly.

As we have discussed earlier while reviewing G# (G sharp) power chord or Ab Power chord (A flat power chord) that there is no Sharp (#) and Flat (b) between B Note and C Note & E Note and F Note and chords. So, after acquiring this position on guitar when you move one Fret towards right side same shape becomes F Power Chord.

13.                      F Power Chord on Guitar (Second Position):

This is the second position of F Power chord on Guitar fretboard, as we have already moved 12 frets towards right side and this is the nature of Guitar music theory that there are 12 notes available and then after they will repeat themselves. So after E Power chord again F Power Chord comes.

 

Fig. Representation of F Power Chord

Place your index finger on sixth string thirteenth fret which is the root note of E power chord on guitar fretboard, place your Ring finger on fifth string fifteenth fret and your Pinky finger on forth string fifteenth  fret to play F power chord second position on Guitar correctly.

Also, the F power chord we play by picking F note on First fret and same shape here on thirteenth fret will sound same but their Pitch will differ.

Remember, Pitch tends to go higher with every fret towards Right side. In other words if we are playing any chord on first fret and playing same chord on thirteenth fret then the Pitch of chord on thirteenth fret is always higher than the chord on first fret, however their sound will always be same.

Now these chords will start repeating themselves as if you will keep same shape as F Power Chord and move to the next right fret then you will get second position for F# (F sharp) power chord or Eb (E Flat) Power Chord.

14.                      F# (F Sharp) or Gb (G Flat) Power Chord on Guitar (Second Position):

This F# Power Chord or Gb Power Chord second position is not the popular position as this chord is lying at high fret position. But for practice purpose you can try to play this one. You may face difficulty while playing F# Chord shape in this position as your Ring finger and Pinky finger will be at higher end of Fretboard and you need to press them a lot to sound fifth and fourth string clean and clear.

So, if you find it difficult to play any second position of power chord on Guitar mentioned in this post then don’t worry they are not so important. I have illustrated them just to share the actual position. 

That’s it.

To pick F# (F Sharp) Power Chord or Gb (G Flat) Power Chord second position the root note is at sixth String and fourteenth Fret. Hold the same shape on same strings and frets are fourteen and sixteenth to play F# power chord or Gb Power Chord on Guitar.

To pick G Power Chord second position the root note is at sixth String and fifteenth Fret. Hold the same shape on same strings and frets are fifteenth and seventeenth to play G power chord on Guitar.

Playing at higher right end of Guitar is quite difficult and when played and there must be some strong reason so we generally ignoring playing chords on higher notes of Guitar.

Repeat the same procedure to play other power chords and find their name in the same sequence we discussed in above post for second position till end of fretboard. Here I am just writing their sequence, G Power Chord -> G# Power chord (Ab Power Chord) -> A Power Chord -> A# Power Chord (Bb Power Chord) -> B Power Chord.

All the Best!!!

So far we have learnt A Power Chord, A# (A Sharp) Power Chord, Bb (B Flat) Power Chord, B Power Chord, C Power Chord, C# (C Sharp) Power guitar Chord, Db (D Flat) Power Chord, D Power Chord, Eb (E Flat) Power Chord, E Power Chord, F Power Chord, F# (F Sharp) Power Chord, Gb (G Flat) Power Chord, G Power Chord, G# (G Sharp) Power Chord, Ab (A Flat) Power Chords.

I believe this lesson helps you understanding all Power Chords different positions and power chord pattern and you will be able to play all of them correctly and will be able to find the power chord name by yourself. You can also visit my complete Blog ‘How to Play Guitar’ to know such easy and interesting techniques and lessons to know more about Guitar Chord Techniques.

There is lot more to share, Keep in touch and stay happy.

Happy Power Chords on Guitar Learning!!!