“Guitar Power Chords” relating to the Music Dials…
Hi –
Rhythm and chords have always been the popular foundation for all types of music. Power chords are essentially, just 2 (many times 3) of the strongest tonal notes in the key of the song, which creates powerful sounding chords all to themselves.
In this case, by playing these notes as viewed on the Music “Power Chord” Dial, you will immediately find yourself laying down some substantial rock and blues sounds, indeed. Generally, they are played on the lower registered (bass) strings, where they have the most ‘punch’ to them.
“Power chords are sometimes notated with a numeric ‘5’ following its root note, as in C5 (C power chord), in which case it specifically refers to playing the root and fifth of the chord”… as quoted and referenced from the description of Power Chords at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_chord
Further it states, “Although the use of the term power chord has, to some extent, spilled over into the vocabulary of other instrumentalists, namely keyboards and synthesizer players, it remains essentially a (fundamental) part of the rock guitar culture and is most strongly associated with the over-driven electric guitar styles of hard rock, heavy metal, punk rock, and similar genres.”
And, if you choose to stick with just the ‘2’ notes for your power chords, you’ll find that they’ll work both for major and minor keys. So… the simplest of chords can be just, if not more, powerful than full chordal structures with your instrument playing.
A ‘sustained’ power chord sound is created by aggressively strumming a chord with the right hand (if right handed) while holding the power chord firmly with the left hand as the chord continues to sound strongly after being strummed. A ‘dampened’ power chord sound is created by lightly resting the right hand on the strings, close to the string(s) bridge, while strumming a chord. A ‘deadened’ sound is created by strumming a power chord and then placing the side of your right hand on all the strings to abruptly stop any continued sound.
A ‘slide’ sound is created by positioning the power chord one or two frets lower on the guitar fretboard, strumming the chord aggressively and then sliding it up to the correct fret position while the power chord is still sounding strongly.
Most players just want to sound good. Just like the dictionary is to the writer, the
Music Dial provides the tools for immediate reference to all the good and cool sounding chords and scales in a handy movable dial. You may consider including the Power Chord(s) Dial as a permanent fixture in your music library, as a lifetime music reference guide and your primary music resource assistant for power chords, or for any other musical instrument playing experience.
I’ve been asked to address the way you would Transpose music and Pentatonic Scales, and I hope to address both soon in our Music Dial, Musician’s Blog… until next time…
Have a great musical Power On day !
Ron Greene