Ukulele Power Chords
July 16, 2008
Power chords are about the simplest chords to play – so simple the experts don’t really consider them chords at all.
They’re made up of just two notes: the root and the fifth (which is why you’ll often see them referred to as C5, D5 etc). You can find the fifth of any note by going up seven frets. For example, the C power chord (C5) is made up of C and, seven frets higher, G. Which is just the bottom two strings open.
You can create power chords all the way up the neck by playing the C and G strings at the same fret. So, playing the G and C strings at the fifth fret will give you an F5 chord.
There are plenty of classic rock riffs that have been built on just these two note power chords such as Iron Man and Smoke on the Water.
You can beef the power chords up by doubling the notes on other strings e.g. the C and G notes of the C5 chord can also be found on the third fret of the E and A strings giving you this:
There are plenty of other ways to play power chords too. Here’s a list:
Make sure you don’t play the strings that have an ‘x’ at the top of them. For the A#5 and B5 chords, you have to stop the C string ringing by either resting the tip of your index finger or the underside of your ring finger (of your fretting hand) against it.
Thanks! This is great stuff…I was wondering about what they were about when I found them in songs. Good to add to my repertoire and use on that new Risa electric that finally arrived from Germany!
See this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBv1_h92gkU for Eddie Vedder picking out a few notes of ‘Iron Man’ before playing ‘Soon Forget’ at Reading 2007; a nice link between a couple of recent posts here. Keep ‘em coming Woodshed!
Yeah I hate having to keep re-figuring out power chords, thanks for the lil’ chart!
Carol: Glad to see you finally got your hands on it. Was it worth the wait?
Birdbrain: Thanks for the link. That’s really cool.
Nelson: You’re welcome.
Woodshed: Indeed it was worth the wait for the Risa. However, it is my first foray into an electric guitar-like instrument so I’ll let you know as it develops…Of course I went crazy on buying an amp as well!
“For example, the C power chord (C5) is made up of C and, seven frets higher, G. Which is just the bottom two strings open”
I guess you meant the top two strings open. Otherwise I’m TOTALLY lost.
newbie: The top two strings are usually referred to as the bottom strings. Very confusing. I guess it’s from the guitar with bottom referring to the pitch of the notes.