Power chord

Power chord
Component intervals from root
perfect fifth
root
Tuning
2:3:4
E5 power chord in eighth notes play
A power chord being fretted

A power chord Play, also called a fifth chord, is a colloquial name for a chord on guitar, especially on electric guitar, that consists of the root note and the fifth, as well as possibly octaves of those notes. Power chords are commonly played with an amp with intentionally added distortion or overdrive effects. Power chords are a key element of many styles of rock,[1] especially heavy metal and punk rock.

  1. ^ "Glossary of Guitar Terms" Archived 2007-11-15 at the Wayback Machine, Mel Bay Publications, Inc. "A chord consisting of the first (root), fifth and eighth degree (octave) of the scale. Power chords are typically used in playing rock music."