This post won’t be long. In fact, it’ll be real simple.
If you’ve always wondered how to make your chords sound full, here’s a strategy you can start implementing right away.
If you already do this, then you’ll enjoy this as a review.
Power chords
It’s basically made up of a perfect fifth interval. Some refer to it as a dyad since it’s really only two notes (the more commonly used big sister, “triad,” is a three-note chord).
Yup, it’s pretty much that simple.
And if you know your intervals, you’ll understand that a fifth is simply the distance between the root and fifth tone of a scale.
C major
C D E F G A B C
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
So, to play a power chord, just play the “1 + 5.”
But to make it even better, double up on your root by playing octaves.
1 + 5 + 8 (a.k.a. – “1,” but the octave)
Where do you use power chords?
Typically, you can use them on your left hand to “power” up your chord.
Since they make use of the perfect fifth interval, which is found in major, minor, and dominant chords, they are pretty flexible.
C major
C + E + G on right /// C + G + C on leftC minor
C + Eb + G on right /// C + G + C on leftC dominant 7
C + E + G + Bb on right /// C + G + C on left
But keep in mind that since you’re already playing C and G with your left hand, you can get more creative with your right hand:
C major 7
E + B + E on right /// C + G + C on left
*Remember this chord from yesterday’s lesson?
Taking power chords even further
You don’t have to stick with the “1 + 5 + 1” all the time.
I recommend being flexible with the third tone of the power chord (the “octave 1”).
For example, if you’re playing a C major 7 chord on the right hand (C + E + G + B), instead of playing “C + G + C” on the left, you can play “C + G + B” on the left, which emphasizes the major 7th interval.
Or if you’re playing a C minor 7 or C dominant 7 chord, you can play “C + G + Bb” on the left to emphasize the flat 7th interval.
However you choose, power chords can be a wonderful addition to your playing, especially if you’re just doing one fingered bass notes right now.
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Until next time —
Jermaine Griggs
Attention: To learn more about this, I recommend our 500+ page course: The "Official Guide To Piano Playing." Click here for more information.
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
Challenge: List the 3 power chords I talked about above in all 12 keys. I’ll start in C major, then F major.
C major
C + G + C (1-5-1 power chord)
C + G + B (1-5-7 power chord)
C + G + Bb (1-5-b7 power chord)
F major
F + C + F (1-5-1 power chord)
F + C + E (1-5-7 power chord)
F + C + Eb (1-5-b7 power chord)
Remember: The 1-5-1 is pretty flexible so it can be played on the left hand to power up pretty much any chord (most at least). Major, minor, dominant, etc.
1-5-7 are usually for major sevenths, ninths, elevenths, thirteenths… major-sounding extended chords basically.
1-5-b7 are usually for minor and dominant sevenths, ninths, elevenths, thirteenths (and other blues-to-serious sounding extended chords).
There you have it.
Who’s next?
Bb MAJOR
Bb + F + Bb (1-5-1 POWER CHORD)
Bb + F + A (1-5-7 POWER CHORD)
Bb + F + Ab (1-5-b7 POWER CHORD)
WAS USING THE 1-5-1 OFTEN BUT HAVEN’T QUITE USED THE 1-5-7 NOR THE 1-5-b7. I’VE BEEN TRYING THEM AS YOU SAID WITH SOME CHORDS I PLAY AND W………..O…………..W……… IT GIVES THEM SUCH POWERFUL CHARACTER.
THANKS AGAIN FOR SHARING SUCH A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE…. GOTTA GO PRACTICE AND DO SOME “CHORDAL REMODELING” ;)
Eb MAJOR
Eb + Bb + Eb (1-5-1 POWER CHORD)
Eb + Bb + D (1-5-7 POWER CHORD)
Eb + Bb + Db (1-5-b7 POWER CHORD)
G major
G + D + G (1-5-1 power chord)
G + D + F# (1-5-7 power chord)
G + D + F (1-5-b7 power chord).
Like bryan, I’ve tried the last two and they really do sound good with the chords jermaine mentions above.
This is unbelievable! :) Your mind is amazing to me with the wealth of knowledge you possess. ditto with Brian I need to go practice some of this wealth of knowledge. In a minute.
Ab major
Ab + Eb + Ab 1-5-1 power chord
Ab + Eb + G 1-5-7 power chord
Ab + Eb + Gb 1-5-b7 power chord
@Chawk: Thanks so much!
And thanks for the Ab power chords.
Db + Ab + Db ( 1-5-1)
Db + Ab + C ( 1-5-7)
Db + Ab + B (1-5-b7)
Thanks again Jermaine, Oh now I understand why the 1-5-b7 power chord doesn’t sound so well with every chord. I have options…. Another question answered! God is too good to me:-)
A MAJOR
A + E + A (1-5-1 POWER)
A + E + Ab {1-5-7 POWER)
A + E + G (1-5-b7 POWER)
4 MO TO GO???
COME ON FAM WE CAN TOTALLY DO THIS…LIKE TOTALLY ;-)>~
I’ll do B MAJOR
B + F# + B (1-5-1 Power)
B + F# + A# (1-5-7 Power)
B + F# + A (1-5-b7 Power)
E MAJOR
E + B + E (1-5-1 Power)
E + B + D# (1-5-7 Power)
E + B + D (1-5-b7 Power)
This sounds so easy, i’m scared i might be wrong but i have tried to double check!
D major
D + A + D (1-5-1 power chord)
D + A + C# (1-5-7 power chord)
D + A+ C (1-5-b7 power chord)
Wow! Thanks TruMusic, Ray, Pete, Chawk, Laketa, Megan, Eresmas…
Who will do the honors? One more left…
F# or Gb
I’ll do the honors!!!!
Gb + Db + Gb (1+5+1 power chord)
Gb + Db + F (1+5+7 power chord)
Gb + Db + E (1+5+b7 power chord)
NOW WE’RE PLAYING WITH POWER….(sorry nintendo)…THANKS TO HEAR AND PLAY AND J. G.! ;-D~>
LET’S HEAR IT HIP, HIP, …………
HOORAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!
Thanks Guys
Just awesome hallelujah.
i just noticed something you can use a Major 7 or Major 9 on the right hand and a relative minor 1-5-b7 on the left
relative minor: Bb-F-Ab (LH) and then the major 7 or 9 Db-F-Ab-C
Precisely!
wooooow”’ this is very powerful chord indeed”” but plssss, can we miss it with ditones spices”””’??? Am trying with it but the sound mmmmmm”””
God bles u sir ive learnt alot from ur post
Tanks a lot u re one in a million the keys re really helpful
Wow, ua amazing Jermaine. W bless God fo u. May He triple yo knowledge an bless al u do
Thank you so much for throwing more light on the Power chord. I am an intermediate keyboardist and currently trying to exploit the application of tritones in my play, please i need some help.