Movable Power Chords
Power chords can be categorized by the string their root note appears on, i.e., E5 is described as a root 6 chord because it’s root note is the open 6th string. A5 is called a root 5 chord because its root note is the open 5th string, while D5 is called a root 4 chord because its root note is the open 4th string.
By using the first finger at the 1st fret and the third finger at the 3rd fret, it is possible to create movable power chords. This means they can be moved along the strings to create many different power chords. The transition from open power chords to movable power chords is shown in the following diagrams. The root 5 movable chord is called A#5 or Bb5 as it is a semitone (one fret) higher than A and a semitone lower than B.
Root Six
E5
F5
Root Five
A5
A#5 or Bb5
Here is an exercise for changing between open and movable power chords. The open chords are played here with the open string and 2nd finger.
Right Hand Damping
When playing power chords, it is common to damp the strings slightly with the right hand. This results in a tighter, more chunky sound. Rest the heel of the hand on the strings at the bridge and then pick the strings you want to sound. It may take a bit of practice to get the desired sound: it all depends on the exact position of the right hand and the amount of pressure used on the strings. Here is an example.
Rest heel of right hand on strings near bridge
A power chord can be formed on any root note by selecting the note with the 1st finger and then adding the 3rd finger two frets up on the next (higher) string. Because the formation remains the same regardless of where on the fretboard the chord is played, you don’t need to think about the name of the higher note.
As long as you know the root note, you can easily find the right chord. The following example uses various root 5 and root 6 power chords built on notes you have already learned, along with A5 played as a root 6 chord at the 5th fret and D5 played as a root 5 chord at the 5th fret.
