ROCKSTAR GUITAR ACADEMY

Chord Foundations

Mastering Open String Power Chords

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Introduction

Hey rockstars, ready to add some power to your playing? Open string power chords are your ticket to that big, beefy sound that defines rock 'n' roll. Let's get into it!

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, you should be able to:
1. Understand what open string power chords are and why they're called "power chords."
2. Play the E5, A5, and D5 power chords cleanly.
3. Incorporate these chords into a classic rock progression.

The Chords Explained:
Open string power chords are simple yet impactful. They consist of a root note and a fifth, giving them a robust sound, especially when played with distortion.

Wondering what we mean by "fifth"? In music theory, the fifth refers to the fifth note in a scale. For example, if you start on A (considering it as 1), and go up the musical alphabet, you'd reach E by the time you count to 5 (A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4, E-5). That's your fifth! We'll dive deeper into this in later sessions, but for now, just know that a power chord is made up of the 1st, your root, and 5th notes of a scale.

The Basics: E5, A5, D5
Here's how to play E5, A5, and D5:
- E5: Fret the A string, second fret plus the open E string above it.
- A5: Fret the D string, second fret plus the open A string above it.
- D5: Fret the G string, second fret plus the open D string above it.

Remember, only play these two notes. Avoid the strings marked with an "X"!

Pro Tips:
- Make sure you're only playing the two notes in each chord. Lean your fret hand fingers over slightly so they lightly touch the strings below the ones you're fretting. This helps to mute any unwanted string noise.
- Also, try using the palm of your picking hand to mute the lower strings like the E and A strings.

Interactive Challenge:

Try playing the iconic AC/DC progression that uses all three of these chords. Feel the power yet?

Quiz Time:
1. What two notes make up a power chord?
2. Which classic rock band's progression did you just play?
3. How many strings should you play when applying these chords?

Practice Routine:
1. Practice each chord individually, making sure both notes ring out clearly.
2. Nail that iconic AC/DC riff from the interactive challenge. Make it second nature!
3. Take these power chords and just jam! Have some fun mixing them into your own rock progressions or improvisations.

Open String Power Chords: Audio Guide

MMS: Online Resources

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MMS ONLINE RESOURCES

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