Power Chords
Rock and metal guitar runs on a chord that isn't even a full triad — just two notes, no major or minor identity, and it cuts through distortion like nothing else.
What is a power chord?
A power chord is just a root and a perfect 5th — no 3rd at all. Written with a "5" after the letter name (like C5), it's technically not even a full triad since it only has two distinct notes (a root is often doubled an octave higher for fullness, but that doesn't add a new pitch class).
Why guitarists love them
Distortion multiplies a note's overtones. A full major or minor 3rd, run through heavy gain, can clash with those overtones and sound muddy. The perfect 5th in a power chord has a very clean, simple frequency ratio with the root, so it stays crisp and powerful even at high distortion — hence the name.
Common questions
What is a power chord?
Just two notes: a root and a perfect 5th above it, written as "5" (like C5).
Is a power chord major or minor?
Neither — it has no 3rd, so it carries no major or minor quality at all.
Why do rock and metal guitarists use power chords?
Distortion can make a full triad's 3rd sound muddy. The clean root-and-5th interval stays crisp even at high gain.
How do you play a power chord on guitar?
Root on the lower string, 5th two frets up on the next string — a simple, movable two-finger shape.
Play power chords on your instrument
Melody Monkey visualizes chords on a live guitar, bass, ukulele, or piano — in any key, instantly.
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