Power Chord Coloring

This article assume you are already familiar with moveable power chord and how to name them, and familiar about intervals.

We will only discuss 2/3 strings chords. In my humble opinion, a 6 notes chord used with even slight distortion is completely destroyed and sounds very shitty... the name of the lesson is power chord coloration so I assume you want to use theses chord with distortion, so let's stick with 3 notes chord.

First, let me remind you some little stuffs about power chord.

e--
b--
g--
d-r+2 <- this is the octave, 12 semitones after the root
a-r+2 <- this is the fifth, 7 semitones after the root
E-r <- this is the root

If you want to add color to a power chord, you just move either the fifth or the octave to give the wanted effects. Example:

this turns E5 to Esus9,
E5 Esus9
e------------
b------------
g-9-------11
d-9--------9
a-7--------7
E-------------

The second chord is Esus9 because we moved the 8th to the 9th, and since there is no third and no 7th.

Another effects, that need some finger stretching however, it's Em, but this one sounds much better than the traditionnal em with distortion.

E5 Em
e------------
b------------
g-9-------12
d-9--------9
a-7--------7
E-------------

The second one is Em because we took the octave interval and stretched it so it become a minor 10th interval (note that the 10th is the same note as the minor 3rd but one octave higher).

Another color, we'll turn E5 to EsusM7:

E5 EsusM7
e------------
b------------
g-9--------8
d-9--------9
a-7--------7
E-------------

Again, we took the octave and brang it a semitone lower so it become a M7 interval instead of an octave interval.

Another thing you can do is move the fifth:

E5 E6? without 3rd without 5fifth (not shure about the name)
e------------
b------------
g-----------
d-9--------11
a-7--------7
E-------------

This give a nice bluesy effects.

You can also transform your chord so it become like that:

E5 E Em
e--------------------
b--------------------
g-9---------4---4-
d-9---------6---5-
a-7---------7---7-
E-------------------

You can do whatever you want, thoses were a few examples, note that don't really need to name them juste move your fingers a few fret after of before, experiment with new sounds, you'll discover plenty of possible chord progression that will sounds good with heavy distortion.

Comments

Some of your chord naming is a bit off. The first error is Esus9 - it should be Esus2.
And EsusM7? IMO it should be E5(add7), or something to that effect. You cannot have a sus7 chord!
Your E6 isn't really an E6 - in fact, it's not a chord at all. It's simply a perfect 6th interval.

The idea of this lesson was decent, but parts of it were rather poorly executed.

[dogsballs]

Thats great dood. i never knew you could change power chords like that soeasy.. good diagrams i wouldn ve understood without em; cheers!!

[blueeleguitar]

em i do this it basicly the same as ur but easier
e---
b---8
g---9
d---9
a---7
E---

[hen]

^same here

[psychodelia]

might have been better if you wrote it easier to understand... i can tell all the chord names, but to a new person it might be a bit confusing.

[vinniebeast]

slightly obvious, good to beginners tho...

[FenderStrat1337]

wow this was hard to understand. It could have been much better if it was easier to read and shorter, since it is an easy topic.

[Diceman42]

Thank you for knowing what you are talking about. Lets help bring the guitar hero back into RnR!
No more emo!
No more Nu Metal!
GOOD TIME HEAVY METAL FOREVER!

[MrLucky77713]

^No more stupid narrow minded losers who can't tolerate music that differs from their own tastes!

Go emo.

[deapcyfer]

yeah, and learning how to variate power chords is bringing back the guitar hero how? It's a good thing to have in your arsenal, but if you rely on all power chords then you're doomed, play riffs, have people forgot what a riff is? listen to velvet revolver, they have riffs and power chords both, you can easily tell the difference...same with audioslave...now say it all together now "RIFFS, I WANT TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY A NICE RIFF" or just learn lead or something, but for christ's sake, let's not let this emo simplified bullshit take over the world

[radioheadfreak]

Some of your chord naming is a bit off. The first error is Esus9 - it should be Esus2.
And EsusM7? IMO it should be E5(add7), or something to that effect. You cannot have a sus7 chord!
Your E6 isn't really an E6 - in fact, it's not a chord at all. It's simply a perfect 6th interval.

The idea of this lesson was decent, but parts of it were rather poorly executed.

ok ur an idiot( and so is he ) the 2nd and 9th terms are interchangeable, it doesn't matter what u use, but its not a suspended, there is no 4th note in that chord, and also what makes u think u can't have a 7thsus chord. its just a chord with the 4th note and flat7th note, its not that hard, learn some music theory dumbass. the other stuff u pointed out about him, u were somewhat close so i won't pick those apart

[radioheadfreak]

sry the above was silent deftone talking

[Spydr]

yeah, and learning how to variate power chords is bringing back the guitar hero how? It's a good thing to have in your arsenal, but if you rely on all power chords then you're doomed, play riffs, have people forgot what a riff is? listen to velvet revolver, they have riffs and power chords both, you can easily tell the difference...same with audioslave...now say it all together now "RIFFS, I WANT TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY A NICE RIFF" or just learn lead or something, but for christ's sake, let's not let this emo simplified bullshit take over the world

Damn Rights, power cords are fun but if thats all you can do you can't play the guitar.

radioheadfreak:

ok ur an idiot( and so is he ) the 2nd and 9th terms are interchangeable, it doesn't matter what u use, but its not a suspended, there is no 4th note in that chord, and also what makes u think u can't have a 7thsus chord. its just a chord with the 4th note and flat7th note, its not that hard, learn some music theory dumbass. the other stuff u pointed out about him, u were somewhat close so i won't pick those apart

the second and ninth are not quite interchangable dude. 2's and 9's may be the same note, but a 2 functions differently than a 9 in a lot of cases.

"but its not a suspended, there is no 4th note in that chord"

the 4th doesnt have to be in there for the chord to be suspended..... there are sus2's ya know....

9 times outta ten, you'd find it sus2, not sus9.

dont call out deffy on his theory. just visit the forum musician's talk and find out what i mean. he knows his shit.... you dont.

[moonraker]

whether the chords are named right or not, it does help.

Thanks for putting that twit in his place, red

[ONEppl1strgl]

i like those variations. nice sounds. just for noobs tho, powerchords arent all there is to guitar

[RedHotRevolver]

good thing whipping those newbies into shape. (im new at guitar, but ive played piano for 6 years). btw, if someone wants to hear some power chord colors like these, check out everlong by the foo fighters.

[ad_lib_oz]

Whoa duh.

[Dave_Grohl]

ha that 3rd 1 sounds cool

[r_lightning]

it's a little bad written article *3*

[IAMIRONMAN]

go emo my ass
emo shows no talent, Diceman42 is right, METAL FOREVER! i can say that no emo musician is as talented as most metal muscisians (ex. best emo guitarist < best metal guitarist) and emo is pussy music to get girls

[semus]

what's a power chord? ()

[BNIsinger231]

IAMIRONMAN: ... and emo is pussy music to get girls

pussy music.. get it? .. music to get girls, therefore its PUSSY music.. haha .. yea i find humor in wierd places .. nice article though

[BNIsinger231]

pussy meaning vagina .. just thought i should clarify

[KevinHallX]

ok guys, just because he posts an article about powerchords, doesn't mean he's trying to say it's ok not to ever doing anything but, so just lay off.

can someone explain to me why you can't just call it an E6? as far as i can see we call them E5's because they are perfect fifth intervals, and i fail to see the difference between that and an E6, or even an E3, or whatever interval you want to play.

[radioheadfreak]

the second and ninth are not quite interchangable dude. 2's and 9's may be the same note, but a 2 functions differently than a 9 in a lot of cases.

"but its not a suspended, there is no 4th note in that chord"

the 4th doesnt have to be in there for the chord to be suspended..... there are sus2's ya know....

9 times outta ten, you'd find it sus2, not sus9.

dont call out deffy on his theory. just visit the forum musician's talk and find out what i mean. he knows his shit.... you dont.

ok, listen i took a course on music theory, and yes the 2nd and 9th names are interchangeable. and umm, ok obviously u don't know your theory either, cuz a sus2nd is not actually suspended cuz there's no 4th note, i really don't know why ppl say sus2nd CUZ ITS NOT. whether the 2nd term is used or the 9th its still the same thing. same note, and no they don't function differently. ok i took a professional theory course so don't try to tell me i'm wrong.

KevinHallX:
can someone explain to me why you can't just call it an E6? as far as i can see we call them E5's because they are perfect fifth intervals, and i fail to see the difference between that and an E6, or even an E3, or whatever interval you want to play.

An E6 chord is made up of intervals 1 3 5 6, or notes E G# B C#. I suppose you could call it an E6 interval if you wanted to.

radioheadfreak:
ok, listen i took a course on music theory, and yes the 2nd and 9th names are interchangeable. and umm, ok obviously u don't know your theory either, cuz a sus2nd is not actually suspended cuz there's no 4th note, i really don't know why ppl say sus2nd CUZ ITS NOT. whether the 2nd term is used or the 9th its still the same thing. same note, and no they don't function differently. ok i took a professional theory course so don't try to tell me i'm wrong.

You're wrong, and still a twit. As far as the 2nd and 9th interchangability, I can somewhat see your point - but nobody I know would call the chord an Esus9. It's just not done.
A sus2 chord IS a suspended chord, you nimrod! A suspended chord is one with its 3rd replaced. Therefore, a b2, 2, 4, or #4 can be put in its place and FUNCTION AS A 3RD.


Oh, and I never said you can't have a 7sus chord, I said you can't have a sus7 chord. Those are totally different ideas.

I see you did visit Musician's Talk. Unfortunately, you've posted more idiotic things which I called you out on again. I suggest you stop correcting things that are right in the first place.

It's like Sound of Shade all over again?

silent deftone:
It's like Sound of Shade all over again?

I was thinking more along the lines of scroungemonkey lol..

Cas-

[slash_620]

how the hell does any1 know that much musical theory?

easy.... study and practice.

Cas-

[iforgot539]

the second and ninth are not quite interchangable dude. 2's and 9's may be the same note, but a 2 functions differently than a 9 in a lot of cases.

"but its not a suspended, there is no 4th note in that chord"

the 4th doesnt have to be in there for the chord to be suspended..... there are sus2's ya know....

9 times outta ten, you'd find it sus2, not sus9.

dont call out deffy on his theory. just visit the forum musician's talk and find out what i mean. he knows his shit.... you dont.

i read in one or another of those albiet crappy guitar magazines that a sus2 chord should actually be called a 5add9.
just putting it up for discussion

[bass_player15]

not bad

[kjlee2112]

I mean, you mean well, so you have to give credit for that, but alot of your opinionated stuff was all screwy. For example, you said that open chords with distortion sound shitty. But I mean, that's how Angus Young makes his sound. I dunno just a bit contradictory to me. You mean well though, even though power chords are very very easy to get a grasp of. Cheers!

[Donahue2]

I hear good things about Spell Check these days.

[CryingNut]

We will only discuss 2/3 strings chords. In my humble opinion, a 6 notes chord used with even slight distortion is completely destroyed and sounds very shitty

...
i agree yes quite true...

[HomeSlice1963]

its sus7 no its 7sus
you guys are funny to listen to. its entertaining to listen to you guys argue, ha.

[box_car_racer51]

ha im lost

[ilikpie]

me too

[bigrd15132]

"brang" is not a word. Sorry, bro.

[jessejames09]

i only understood the....well i understood nothing about the article..

[ror]

its good but get the notes right to confusing otha w
ise

SilentDeftone
A suspended chord is one with its 3rd replaced.

This is wrong information, I am correcting myself.

Sus chords CAN have 3rds, they simply must be voiced a maj7th above the 4th in the initial triad. So if you voiced a chord from low to high as 1 4 5 1 3 1, that could be called a sus chord. The reason to do this is to avoid the b9 interval created by the 4th voiced above the 3rd, because the b9 interval is quite dissonant.

[guitar2097]

Going back to the orginal points. There is no reason why more than 3 notes should be used when expressing a cord, and does usually sound fine. Three notes is easier to execute. Navara used up to 5 notes per cord, epecially when using 9ths. Also, a 2 notes is a harmoney, not a cord.

[Iboseth]

Thanks

[joshua tienzo]

ur great dude! tnxs for the lesson.. i hope u can post more helpful lessons! it really help me..txs!

[knotilus]

That's what I like to see, guitarists using their music theory skills to debate. I need to figure out more of that damn shit. Well, late.
..-knot

[badmemory#4]

would somebody plz tell me why the *** it matters when sombody doesnt name the chord right? i mean i can see that it could get confusing when you dont have a diagram but he gave diagrams and i dont see the need for everyone argueing over what the corect music theory is.(even though it is entertaining)

[warlockmaster21]

(to whoever wrote the article) brang? what the hell? hahaha. thats a funny word. no wait, it isn't a word stuffs? lol. nice article though. it was of good use. ..shitty. haha funny. nice word.

[yan_kong]

Yeah! SilentDeftone is right!!

Not bad as article but personally I don't like to use power chords.

Firstly becoz the sound of power chords on acoustic guitar is bad. And playing power chords does not shows any great techniques in playing.

Tuning a guitar in drop D will greatly help in playing power chords

[Four Wheels]

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath only used powerchords and he was a great guitarist.

[Daniel Quinn]

WTF are any of you guys talking about lol!

I'm a noob and my pants are full listening to you, u seriously know what your talking about. Might be able to understand this and play guitar in about 40 years at this rate!

[Ead]

All this theory really isn't as hard as it looks, and it isn't much theory anyway. I learned pretty much all of this in a few days with ease. Start with the major scale, and simply understand how chords are made using it.

[acoustic-fish]

i kind of understood the article, but the comments completely lost me. wtf? i need to learn some theory.

[DroptheBomb]

IAMIRONMAN :
go emo my ass
emo shows no talent, Diceman42 is right, METAL FOREVER! i can say that no emo musician is as talented as most metal muscisians (ex. best emo guitarist < best metal guitarist) and emo is pussy music to get girls,

well gene simmons started kiss to get laid so i guess KISS was pussy emo music to wasnt it?

i hate emo music just a smuch as the next person, but not all emo guitarists suck, take escape the fate for example, i have heard sweeping in thier playing, which last time i checked was SHREDguitar territory was it not?

[DroptheBomb]

semus wrote:

what's a power chord? ()

y does he^ have a profile on ultimate guitar?
lol.