Module One

Lesson overview

In this lesson, we’re going to work on a power chord progression from Metal Rhythm Guitar, Volume 1 by Troy Stetina. If you don’t have the book yet, don’t worry, I’ll be explaining everything in detail in the video as well. 

However, this written breakdown is a quick and easy way to reference everything, making it even simpler for you to follow along. Now, let’s dive into the lesson!

Getting Started with Power Chords

This progression is fairly easy if you're already comfortable with power chords and moving them around. However, if you’re brand new to them, it might be a bit of a challenge at first. The hardest part is stretching your fingers to reach certain positions.

When playing power chords, it's crucial to position your fingers correctly. Your index finger should be placed right next to the fret wire (but not on top of it) for the clearest sound. If you place your finger too far back in the fret, the note might sound muted. Positioning it properly will also help you stretch your other fingers more easily.

To make things easier, we’ll start learning the power chord shape higher up the neck, where the frets are closer together. Look at the single dot on the 9th fret, this will be our starting point. If you're not familiar with the note names on the fretboard yet (which I highly recommend learning), just use that last single dot (fretboard marker) before the two-dot marker as a reference.

Now, let’s form a basic power chord:

1. Place your index finger on the root note (let’s say C# on the 9th fret of the low E string).
2. Move over two frets and place your ring finger on the string below (the A string).
3. Strum only those two strings together—nothing else.

A common mistake is not applying enough pressure to both fingers, which can make the chord sound weak or uneven. Make sure you're pressing firmly with both fingers so that both notes ring out clearly. You can test this by playing each note separately and then together.

Another important tip: Try slightly leaning your fingers over to help mute the unused strings. This prevents unwanted noise if you accidentally hit extra strings while strumming.

To practice, try moving this shape up and down the neck, starting from higher frets and gradually working your way down. As you go lower, you’ll feel the stretch becoming more challenging, but over time, your fingers will adapt.

 Down the Progression

Now, let’s go over the actual chord progression. It consists of three power chords

The hardest part is moving from the A chord down to the F chord, as it requires the biggest stretch.

The rhythm follows a simple structure:

To keep track of timing, I recommend saying the chord names while counting, like this:

This method helps with memorization and makes it easier to stay in time.

Practicing and Playing Along

Once you're comfortable with the chords, try playing along with a drumbeat. You can find drum loops on YouTube, or you can use the backing track I’ll provide. I'll play through the progression four times in a row, so you can jam along.

If the stretch to the F chord is difficult, keep practicing the power chord shape higher up the neck to build flexibility. Over time, your fingers will naturally stretch further, making it easier to play lower on the fretboard.

Keep at it, and don’t get discouraged—it’s just a matter of consistent practice. Once you’re ready, go ahead and jam along with the progression!

And of course, if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

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