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Power Chords for Beginners

A power chord usually contains a root and a perfect fifth. It is neither major nor minor.

Try E5

Play the open low E string and fret the A string at fret 2. You can add fret 2 of the D string as well: that is another E, an octave higher. Strum only the intended strings and gently mute the rest.

Move the shape

Place your index finger on fret 3 of the low E string (G) and your ring finger on fret 5 of the A string (D): G5. Slide the shape two frets higher for A5. The root-to-fifth spacing remains the same.

Is a power chord major?

No. Without a third, it has no major or minor quality, so we write E5 or G5 rather than E major or G minor.

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