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Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 8:07 pm
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ThatGuitarGuyAL wrote:
Kurt Cobain played a lot of power chords. Look where that got him.



okay, I'm going to hell for that one

Yep, too many Power Chords tapped his Brain Salts. Depression, Paranoia, and Detachment from reality were inevitable.

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Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 8:09 pm
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cryingstrat wrote:
FirstMeasure wrote:
cryingstrat wrote:
FirstMeasure wrote:
cryingstrat wrote:
FirstMeasure wrote:
cryingstrat wrote:
No one I knew ever used power chords when I was learning in the 70's. We'd have considered it cheating. I don't even remember seeing anyone use them till the hair bands of the 80's.

Um, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, The Who, The Yardbirds, Amboy Dukes (Journey To The Center Of Your Mind is a practice in Power Chording), Zeppelin (Whole Lotta Love Starts off Root Fifth, Then adss the Third on the first repeat).

I was going to say "Guitar Teachers Of The '80s" but I fugured they fired that stuff up about '78 or '79, with the "Teachers" that would show kids Van Halen or Sabbath without showing them music. I have a 'Thing" against those "Teachers". But I should have said Late '70's-80's.


Back then we just used full chords. Didn't even know what a power chord was. I'm sure some were using them back then though. I still use full chords to this day. Even if I use a "powerchord" I still make the whole chord and pick accordingly.

I hate to be the one to let you in on it, but no matter how you hold your hand, if you played Root-Fifth, it's a power chord. The Power Chord is one of the many things Pete Towsend lays claim to. It's been a staple in rock since the fuzz face. It's Been a Staple In Jazz since the '20s, and a Staple in Classical Music since Brahms.

I leave you with one prime example, Iron Man. Watch Iomi play it. You'll see Power Chords from the back row.


Well yeah, if I'm only attacking the root and fifth it's a power chord no matter how many other strings I have fretted. I guess the fact that I've never liked metal plays into it. Even back in the days of Sabbath. I never was a fan. Sabbath bored me. Too simple, I was into the intricacies of YES, Genesis, Weather Report, Mahavishnu Orchestra. Prog and Fusion. I was such a snob. :lol: When guys were bragging about rock guitarists I'd point out Allan Holdsworth or John McLaughlin.

I was on the Metal Avoidance path, too. I took the Blues/Classic Rock way around. Genesis never did anything for em, but I was listening to Yes, Rush, and Kansass, while learning SRV, Willie Dixon, Albert Collins. That way I could have a smooth transition into the more complicated stuff as i got better. Not to mention the Surf, Elvis, Carl Perckins, and such that I learned from my Dad

All the while, my peers are learning a Metalica song-per-lesson, at $20 buck a shot, and they have no Idea what a Minor is, or why a 7th is a 7th. But they know a Powerchord is Cool, and chicks dig "Battery". I didn't get into metal until Pantera, after Highschool. Then a drummer freind got me into Dream Theater, and My brother got Rust In Peace and "Lucerita" just Snagged me.


Dream Theater impressed me too. Kinda like the last gasp of Prog. I didn't get into the blues till my late 30's. Time for some grown up music. Blues, jazz, swing...fun stuff. I loved Kansas and Rush too. I like bands that were stretching the definition of what rock was or could be. Then came MTV and overnight all that mattered was image. Labels adopted "The Formula" and anyone who didn't fit never get heard. It was a sad time for me.
It was a hard time for a Budding Serious Musician as well :(

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Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 9:40 pm
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I usually play root, fifth & octave when I use power chords. It gives the chord more depth & power.

Now if you mostly use them to avoid barre chords--work on barre chords. But if you use them because they work for the song--go for it.

When I first learned power chords it revolutionized my playing. I tried them in all sorts of songs--to experiment and I wound up arranging various songs in a whole new way and that developed one aspect of my style.

I incorporate power chords in songs where some sections are power chords & some aren't. I use them in all types of music. And sometime if you're playing rhythm they work great when the lead guitarist starts noodling around.

One thing I didn't see mentioned--or if it was, I missed it--is that since the power chord leaves out the 3rd it has an ambiguousness to it--it's neither major nor minor--and the melody or lead line determines that feel. But if melody/lead line also avoids the 3rd, then it stays quite ambiguous. That can add a musical tension to the song which can build it up and give it an interesting sound. And other times you can play the power chord for the third of the key you're in, and that can give it a major or minor feel. Or if you play a power chord riff that starts on A, for example, and then play a C power chord it will give it a minor connotation. Play a C# and it sounds major.

So really the power chord has a lot of depth to it. And a lot of potential. Embrace them, but don't limit yourself either.

Johhny Ramone played almost completely power chords, but it's been done, so unless you're in a Ramones tribute band, I'd say develop your own style.

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Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 9:41 pm
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hottrod wrote:
Well, look at AC/DC. All Angus young uses is power chords. I like power chords they sound kinda in-your-face when used right, as opposed to epon chords. I still do like my oopen chords though. 8)


Actually, Angus plays quite a few open "cowboy" chords in his stuff. Check out a transcription of "Back in Black" for a good example of this. Most of the song is open chords that you learn in your first year as a newbie guitarist.

By contrast, look at a transcription of "Sunshine of Your Love" by Cream. That song takes the power chord, but adds a 3rd above for a fuller sound. Very neat stuff there. Messing with traids instead of five- and six-string chords can be really fun.

Also, if you're gonna do the "power chord" diad thing, sometimes mix it up with 4ths rather than 5ths. The 4ths can be a lot faster and was thus used by tons of 80's metal.

Personally, I like to mix it up a bit. I'll work with a song in different ways to see what feels best and sounds best.

Bottom line, power chords are a great tool to have, but you'll probably need more as you grow as a musician. Sure, you can do a lot with a hammer, but aren't you a better handyman if you also have some screwdrivers and wrenches? Don't arbitrarily limit yourself.


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Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 9:42 pm
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cryingstrat wrote:
No one I knew ever used power chords when I was learning in the 70's. We'd have considered it cheating. I don't even remember seeing anyone use them till the hair bands of the 80's.


We used them all the time in the mid 70's. That's when I learned them. Well before the hair bands. We considered it a revelation.

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Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 9:45 pm
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zontar wrote:
cryingstrat wrote:
No one I knew ever used power chords when I was learning in the 70's. We'd have considered it cheating. I don't even remember seeing anyone use them till the hair bands of the 80's.


We used them all the time in the mid 70's. That's when I learned them. Well before the hair bands. We considered it a revelation.


Yeah, I'm sure they were being used then. I mean come on...they're easy! For some reason me and my buds weren't exposed to it.

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Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 9:48 pm
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yitty79 wrote:

Personally, I like to mix it up a bit. I'll work with a song in different ways to see what feels best and sounds best.



Well since you posted this while I was typing my long answer--here goes my agreement with this.

When I'm learning a new song, or coming up with a new song myself I try various chord combinations, I try various combinations of power chords, barre chords, open chords, 9th chords, changing some to major,minor, dom 7th, 7th, suspended, etc. Mix it up and have fun with it. (I came up with a fun cover version once by mixing power chords & 9th chords (some with added 6ths and some without) in a song that originally had no 9th chords or power chords, but had open chords with some single note riffs and arpeggios. It had a bit of a Hendrix groove, with some SRV and something else thrown in. And it didn't sound like most of my arrangements or original riffs--so it expanded my playing, song writing, and arranging abilities.)

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Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 9:52 pm
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zontar wrote:
yitty79 wrote:

Personally, I like to mix it up a bit. I'll work with a song in different ways to see what feels best and sounds best.



Well since you posted this while I was typing my long answer--here goes my agreement with this.

When I'm learning a new song, or coming up with a new song myself I try various chord combinations, I try various combinations of power chords, barre chords, open chords, 9th chords, changing some to major,minor, dom 7th, 7th, suspended, etc. Mix it up and have fun with it. (I came up with a fun cover version once by mixing power chords & 9th chords (some with added 6ths and some without) in a song that originally had no 9th chords or power chords, but had open chords with some single note riffs and arpeggios. It had a bit of a Hendrix groove, with some SRV and something else thrown in. And it didn't sound like most of my arrangements or original riffs--so it expanded my playing, song writing, and arranging abilities.)


That brings to mind Thin Lizzy. They did a great job of mixing it up and using jazz chords for rock.

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Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 6:56 am
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One in particular I like is a modified first position E:

X
5
4
2
2
0

A really full sounding power chord.

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Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 7:06 am
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my most used power chord is

x
x
x
5
5
3

or variations

x
x
x
3
x
1

x
x
x
x
3
1

x
x
x
2
4
x

things such as that.

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Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 7:58 am
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I use both. sometimes the full chords don't give the same tone that a well used power chord can provide.

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Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 8:30 am
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cryingstrat wrote:
FirstMeasure wrote:
cryingstrat wrote:
FirstMeasure wrote:
cryingstrat wrote:
No one I knew ever used power chords when I was learning in the 70's. We'd have considered it cheating. I don't even remember seeing anyone use them till the hair bands of the 80's.

Um, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, The Who, The Yardbirds, Amboy Dukes (Journey To The Center Of Your Mind is a practice in Power Chording), Zeppelin (Whole Lotta Love Starts off Root Fifth, Then adss the Third on the first repeat).

I was going to say "Guitar Teachers Of The '80s" but I fugured they fired that stuff up about '78 or '79, with the "Teachers" that would show kids Van Halen or Sabbath without showing them music. I have a 'Thing" against those "Teachers". But I should have said Late '70's-80's.


Back then we just used full chords. Didn't even know what a power chord was. I'm sure some were using them back then though. I still use full chords to this day. Even if I use a "powerchord" I still make the whole chord and pick accordingly.

I hate to be the one to let you in on it, but no matter how you hold your hand, if you played Root-Fifth, it's a power chord. The Power Chord is one of the many things Pete Towsend lays claim to. It's been a staple in rock since the fuzz face. It's Been a Staple In Jazz since the '20s, and a Staple in Classical Music since Brahms.

I leave you with one prime example, Iron Man. Watch Iomi play it. You'll see Power Chords from the back row.


Well yeah, if I'm only attacking the root and fifth it's a power chord no matter how many other strings I have fretted. I guess the fact that I've never liked metal plays into it. Even back in the days of Sabbath. I never was a fan. Sabbath bored me. Too simple, I was into the intricacies of YES, Genesis, Weather Report, Mahavishnu Orchestra. Prog and Fusion. I was such a snob. :lol: When guys were bragging about rock guitarists I'd point out Allan Holdsworth or John McLaughlin.


Well actually I believe it was ray and dave davies who put some of the earliest powerchords on record in rock, that what towneshend believes anyway.
Regardless, for me it has to be Johnny Ramone as the great power chord player- indeed very basic but sounded great and almost refreshing everytime

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Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 9:30 am
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yeah I think im gonna stick with power chords for a long time.

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Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 9:36 am
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Why should one care what others think?

In this humble opinion, a crappy guitarist is one who wanted, procured, owns a guitar and chooses not to learn or play at all.


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Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 2:06 pm
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zontar wrote:
yitty79 wrote:

Personally, I like to mix it up a bit. I'll work with a song in different ways to see what feels best and sounds best.



Well since you posted this while I was typing my long answer--here goes my agreement with this.

When I'm learning a new song, or coming up with a new song myself I try various chord combinations, I try various combinations of power chords, barre chords, open chords, 9th chords, changing some to major,minor, dom 7th, 7th, suspended, etc. Mix it up and have fun with it. (I came up with a fun cover version once by mixing power chords & 9th chords (some with added 6ths and some without) in a song that originally had no 9th chords or power chords, but had open chords with some single note riffs and arpeggios. It had a bit of a Hendrix groove, with some SRV and something else thrown in. And it didn't sound like most of my arrangements or original riffs--so it expanded my playing, song writing, and arranging abilities.)

For Whitesnakes "Still Of The Night" intro, I replaced the Powerchords with 7ths, and cleaned up my tone to sparkly. Now it sounds like a Country Tune Intro. One of these days I rework the whole tune, for a laugh.

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