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Rock Rhythm Guitar Techniques

In Lessons 3 and 4, we practiced changing between pairs of open chords. Next we will look at a new set of chord shapes called 'power chords.' You don't have to know open chords in order to use this lesson.

In the exercises in this lesson, you should use a guitar pick, but you can also use your thumb to play the chord shapes.

Power chords are used in many rock, pop, blues and some country songs. These shapes open a new genre of music to beginning players. Power chords are also an important step to making barre chords.

Power chords are used to get the low, growling rhythm guitar sound you hear on songs like 'Smoke on the Water' by Deep Purple, 'Enter Sandman' by Metallica, 'Can't Get Enough of Your Love' by Bad Company, 'Born to be Wild' by Steppenwolf, etc.

Main Points of This Lesson:

• Forming power chord shapes in the left hand
• Moving power chord shapes up and down the neck and across strings
• Picking the right strings for the chord
• Playing power chord progressions in time with simple music tracks ('microsongs')