Power Chords

[pc2184034979]

Hi Folks, Playing power chords is extremely easy as only 2 notes are used that is the 1st Degree and the 5th Degree of the scale e.g "G" power chord G and D "A" = A and E etc etc.

Easy find: the 5th will always be one string down and two frets down below the 1st degree

 

[Febs]

Hi Folks, Playing power chords is extremely easy as only 2 notes are used that is the 1st Degree and the 5th Degree of the scale e.g "G" power chord G and D "A" = A and E etc etc.

Easy find: the 5th will always be one string down and two frets down below the 1st degree

No.

 

[40Hz]

Same fret as your root note on the lower adjacent string -or- second fret up on the higher adjacent string you mean?

 

[pc2184034979]

Same fret as your root note on the lower adjacent string -or- second fret up on the higher adjacent string you mean?

To illustrate if you were playing a "G" power chord if the root was 3rd fret top bass string then the fifth would be 5th fret on the"A" string or "D" the pattern remains the same from any root note. Some rhytmn player add a further root note by adding the "G" on the d string 5th fret

 

[40Hz]

To illustrate if you were playing a "G" power chord if the root was 3rd fret top bass string then the fifth would be 5th fret on the"A" string or "D" the pattern remains the same from any root note. Some rhytmn player add a further root note by adding the "G" on the d string 5th fret

I think maybe I'm just confused by some of your terminology. To me (following standard convention) direction follows note pitch. So the "top" string is the 1st or G string. And "up" is always towards the bridge while "down" is always towards the nut.

So root is G played 3rd fret on the E string.
D is fifth fret on the A string
G is fifth fret on the D string
D is seventh fret the G string.

So starting with G on the E (or "bottom") string, D is one string over and two frets up from that. G is one string over on the same fret from that. And D is one string over and two frets up from that.

Kinda a clunky way to describe it. But it is what it is. And another good reason to get up to speed learning the location of every note on the entire neck and thinking in terms of note intervals, chord structure, and scales rather than rely too much on neck patterns. Once you have that stuff down, all a B/L needs to say when calling a last minute change is: "Play all the 7 chords as power chords for just the intro - and let 'em ring." and you now know exactly what you need to do.

 

[pc2184034979]

I think maybe I'm just confused by some of your terminology. To me (following standard convention) direction follows note pitch. So the "top" string is the 1st or G string. And "up" is always towards the bridge while "down" is always towards the nut.

So root is G played 3rd fret on the E string.
D is fifth fret on the A string
G is fifth fret on the D string
D is seventh fret the G string.

So starting with G on the E (or "bottom") string, D is one string over and two frets up from that. G is one string over on the same fret from that. And D is one string over and two frets up from that.

Kinda a clunky way to describe it. But it is what it is. And another good reason to get up to speed learning the location of every note on the entire neck and thinking in terms of note intervals, chord structure, and scales rather than rely too much on neck patterns. Once you have that stuff down, all a B/L needs to say when calling a last minute change is: "Play all the 7 chords as power chords for just the intro - and let 'em ring." and you now know exactly what you need to do.

My information is based on the following (To avoid confusion) starting at top string nearest your head to the lowest string nearest your feet with bass tuned (top E) A D G if you work it out on that basis you will see its correct See illustration attached

 

[40Hz]

My information is based on the following (To avoid confusion) starting at top string nearest your head to the lowest string nearest your feet with bass tuned (top E) A D G if you work it out on that basis you will see its correct See illustration attached

View attachment 3202885

All well and good and understood. But that's not the way it's normally referred to. "Highest" or "top" or "1st" string is the highest pitched if you're following standard convention. In this case it's the G string. Just sayin'

 

[el murdoque]

The easy bit about the powerchord is that it will work with basically any chord the other musicians play because it's just root-fifth-octave (or ditch the octave if you like).
When you up your game one step further, you actually realize how easy chords on the bass are.
Once you mastered the shape of a minor, major, 7, whatever - you can just play it anywhere on the fretboard.
So there is no remembering every chord, you must only remember the pattern and know where to find the root note.
Some chords work only played in the higher octaves of the fretboard, though.
The interesting bit is that you often leave out the 5 when playing a chord on bass and nail it with 3 notes (1-3-7)

Here's a nice video of Scott explaining chords on bass:

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Root + Fifth. Done. Right?

 

[lz4005]

All well and good and understood. But that's not the way it's normally referred to. "Highest" or "top" or "1st" string is the highest pitched if you're following standard convention. In this case it's the G string. Just sayin'

In Australia it's all upside down from that. Apparently.

 

[pc2184034979]

All well and good and understood. But that's not the way it's normally referred to. "Highest" or "top" or "1st" string is the highest pitched if you're following standard convention. In this case it's the G string. Just sayin'

I have played for 60 years 45 of those as a pro, and I have always used that method without problem, you say tomato and I say Tomatoe etc. Plus although many have read the thread you are the only one who read it the way you did (Obviously due to what you are used to) nothing wrong with that. I rest my case Take care

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Hi Folks, Playing power chords is extremely easy as only 2 notes are used that is the 1st Degree and the 5th Degree of the scale e.g "G" power chord G and D "A" = A and E etc etc.

Easy find: the 5th will always be one string down and two frets down below the 1st degree

Darn! I came here thinking this was about plugging in to the wall outlet.

 

[pc2184034979]

The easy bit about the powerchord is that it will work with basically any chord the other musicians play because it's just root-fifth-octave (or ditch the octave if you like).
When you up your game one step further, you actually realize how easy chords on the bass are.
Once you mastered the shape of a minor, major, 7, whatever - you can just play it anywhere on the fretboard.
So there is no remembering every chord, you must only remember the pattern and know where to find the root note.
Some chords work only played in the higher octaves of the fretboard, though.
The interesting bit is that you often leave out the 5 when playing a chord on bass and nail it with 3 notes (1-3-7)

Here's a nice video of Scott explaining chords on bass:

You are right that has always been true. Not a new thought.

 

[Febs]

Plus although many have read the thread you are the only one who read it the way you did (Obviously due to what you are used to) nothing wrong with that. I rest my case Take care

@40Hz has it right.

My information is based on the following (To avoid confusion) starting at top string nearest your head to the lowest string nearest your feet with bass tuned (top E) A D G

No, no, no, no, no. The "top" string is the highest pitched string. Always. Your way creates confusion.

 

[SLO Surfer]

I have played for 60 years 45 of those as a pro, and I have always used that method without problem, you say tomato and I say Tomatoe etc. Plus although many have read the thread you are the only one who read it the way you did (Obviously due to what you are used to) nothing wrong with that. I rest my case Take care

Nah, "upper" "higher" "top" all mean pitch-wise to me and everyone I work with as well. (For reference this is in jazz bands, rock bands, and orchestras) So G string is the highest or top string on my bass too. When I'm playing with a trumpet player (or any other instrument) and they say "can you play that same riff but an octave lower?" That means I'm going "down" to my "low" E string.

Edit: even if you're reading TAB, isn't the "low E" string on the bottom?

 

[Febs]

Nah, "upper" "higher" "top" all mean pitch-wise to me and everyone I work with as well. (For reference this is in jazz bands, rock bands, and orchestras) So G string is the highest or top string on my bass too. When I'm playing with a trumpet player (or any other instrument) and they say "can you play that same riff but an octave lower?" That means I'm going "down" to my "low" E string.

Bingo. It's why 6-string basses have a "low" B and a "high" C, and not the opposite. And's it's why my upright has a "low" E string and "high" G string even though it's played vertically.

 

[Lobster11]

O.P. is in Australia, so everything is upside down.

 

[SLO Surfer]

Bingo. It's why 6-string basses have a "low" B and a "high" C, and not the opposite. And's it's why my upright has a "low" E string and "high" G string even though it's played vertically.

Ha! I play upright too and just thought if this guy is right then I need to start calling them my "left G string" and my "right E string."

"Can your play that left an octave for the second verse?"

 

[Febs]

Ha! I play upright too and just thought if this guy is right then I need to start calling them my "left G string" and my "right E string."

"Can your play that left an octave for the second verse?"

And those poor violinists who sway back and forth when they play are going to get really confused.

 

[lz4005]

....you say tomato and I say Tomatoe etc.

In that case, as in high vs low, you would be wrong. I'm sure you'll still insist you're right, though, and mention yet again how long you've been playing lead guitar.

How long have you been playing bass?