R–5
Two-note form
The essential power-chord interval.
Power chords guitar
Use one movable shape to cover the neck.
A power chord focuses on the root and fifth, usually without a third. That makes the shape harmonically neutral between major and minor and easy to move.
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Shape
Build the interval before memorizing positions.
The basic power chord contains a root and perfect fifth, often with an octave duplication.
R–5–R
Three-note form
Adds the octave root for weight.
Inversion
5–R
Useful for compact movement and riffs.
Root map
Move the shape by locating roots on the neck.
The geometry stays the same while the chord name follows the root.
6th-string root
Low-register form
Common for rock and heavy rhythm parts.
5th-string root
Mid-register form
Useful for moving higher without excessive low-end density.
4th-string root
Compact upper form
Good for lighter textures and layered arrangements.
Muting and rhythm
Power chords sound clean when unused strings stay silent.
Right- and left-hand muting are part of the voicing.
Palm mute
Control sustain
Useful for tight rhythmic articulation.
Left-hand mute
Silence adjacent strings
Prevent extra open strings from changing the harmony.
Rhythmic accents
Create motion
The same two-note shape can feel very different through articulation.
FAQ
Quick answers about power chords.
Use these answers as a reference, then explore the relationships interactively.
What notes are in a power chord?
The essential notes are the root and perfect fifth, often with the root doubled an octave higher.
Are power chords major or minor?
Usually neither, because they omit the third that normally defines major or minor quality.
Why are power chords movable?
Their interval shape stays the same on the fretboard, so changing the root location transposes the chord.
ChordRevelation
Move from explanation to interactive harmony.
Change the key, compare voicings, follow voice leading and see the same idea directly on the fretboard.