More Power Chords
G/B
This lesson will introduce other popular types of power chords which are used in Metal guitar. The power chord used up to this point was based upon the root note (the first note of the major scale) and the fifth note from its major scale. The lowest bass note in the chord shape was the root note.
A power chord can also use another note from within the major chord as the lowest bass note. The following diagram shows a G Major scale and highlights the notes that form the major chord, the power chord that uses the fifth and the new power chord that uses the 3rd note as the lowest bass note. Note that this type of chord is written as G/B. The 1st and 4th fingers of the left hand are used to finger this chord shape, as shown in the diagram.
First try playing the G/B chord by itself, as in example 32 and then apply the chord to a basic progression, example 33.
Another popular rhythm technique is to combine the picking of a single open string note with some power chords. In the following example a low E string is played in conjunction with an E5 power chord (7th fret). The open string is muted and an accent is used on the chords.
The following example incorporates this type of rhythm technique into a 16 bar Metal progression. The open E string is also picked over the D chord (5th fret) and the A/C# (4th fret).
C/G
Another power chord variation is to use the fifth note of the major chord as the lowest sounding bass note. This type of chord shape contains a fifth note above and below the root note.
The chord diagram illustrates a C power chord (3rd fret) with a low G bass note (fifth note of the C major scale). This chord is written as C/G. Notice that a 1/2 bar on the sixth and fifth string is used with the first finger. Either the third or fourth finger of the left hand can be used for the other note on the third string.
This example combines the C/G chord with a G5 chord. It is an ideal situation where the fourth finger of the left hand is used when playing the C/G chord.
This example makes use of several techniques discussed so far.
It is also possible to combine the root note of a fifth chord with a strum on the remaining strings of that chord. By using a mute and an accent, a similar effect can be achieved as in follows.
E5
A popular variation on the previous rhythm technique is to incorporate and extra chord shape found two frets before the fifth chord. The chord diagram highlights the common fifth power chord and the extra two notes that can be worked into a rhythm pattern.
The next example utilizes the extra notes within the fifth power chord.
