Power chords are the easiest types of chords to play on the guitar.
And they are so versatile. Almost like a blank canvas. You can play over top of them with many colors of the musical rainbow. About 80% of the other chords types, and 6 of the 7 modes can sound good over a power chord.
That’s why I love power chords so much.
Red is the Note A, the Root Note –
Blue is the Perfect 5th, E is the note
Modes you Could Play Over an A5 Power Chord
- Major
- Minor
- Mixolydian
- Lydian
- Phrygian
- Dorian
All these modes contain a root and a th, so they blend well with power chords. The Locrian mode is the only one that won’t sound good over a power chord. Unless you are just going for that “weird” sound.
Most chords will also sound good over a power chord. So one person or audio track if you are recording in a multi track DAW; could be playing a power chord. Another instrument could play any of the following types of chords:
- Major, minor, Sus4, sus2
- M7, m7, mM7, dominant 7th
- 9th, 11th, 13th, 6th
And there are many more possibilities. These are just some of the most common chords.
Augmented and diminished chords don’t work well over power chords, because the 5th is sharp or flat compared to the perfect 5th.
Power chords are easy to find on the circle of 5ths. It’s like a magic cheat sheet.
Would love to hear your creations using one or more power chords. Create some music with a power chord involved. Upload it to the web and post a comment below. Looking forward to hearing your stuff
