| In music, a power chord is a bare fifth usually played on electric guitar. Traditionally the term chord is understood to mean three or more distinct notes, however this usage is well-accepted amongst guitar players. Therefore, many non-guitar players would consider a power chord to be a dyad or simply a harmonic interval. However, a power chord is conceived of and intended to be a minor or major triad with the third degree omitted. The term power chord remains essentially a part of rock guitar culture and is most strongly associated with the overdriven electric guitar styles of hard rock, heavy metal, punk rock, and similar genres. While the term "power chord" is used to refer to a harmonic perfect fifth in a literal sense, with or without octave doubling, and its inversion may appear to be a harmonic perfect fourth, this is an incorrect interpretation. Power chords are sometimes notated 5, as in C5 (C power chord), in which case it specifically refers to playing the root and fifth of the chord, in this case C and G, possibly inverted, and possibly with octave doublings. Power chords are often performed within a single octave, as this results in the closest matching of overtones. Octave doubling is sometimes done in power chords. Power chords are often pitched in a middle register. If they are too low, they tend to sound unclear and boomy. When played too high they lack depth and power. |
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