The John Petrucci Guitar Method - Episode 3: Power Chords

In episode 3 of "The John Petrucci Guitar Method" John discusses the importance of power chords and their slight variations.

[@dpapaioannow]

thank you buffed up jesus

[@ijw87]

Trucci is buff tho

[@erosbifebeef5115]

Its more of just thiccness

[@makkenr]

jesus was the beefiest dude in town back in the day

[@Jadakra]

The word is shredded

[@SomethingImpromptu]

Jesus probably looked more like Serj Tankian IRL.

[@lokielrumbero765]

I love it when incredibly gifted guitar legends take the time to explain simple basic things, it makes them look human again xD inspiring for sure

[@BCTTV_DTJ]

I know right? First John Petrucci video I've seen where I can play everything he plays in it!!

[@photicguitarisakasucc647]

This lad played Mario theme with a relatively unknown KZbinr, he is FUCKING LEGEND

[@pedrosilvamusician]

@@BCTTV_DTJ When I was a kid I had his rock discipline tape. I got stuck at the tuning part

[@BCTTV_DTJ]

@@pedrosilvamusician LMAO!!

[@francescob.3019]

this video alone has changed a lot the way I play power chords. This is such unbelievably precious information.

[@miked9000]

I dont think i have ever heard a guitar so perfectly intoned.

[@sirborges]

You should listen to Steve Vai

[@ethanpederson]

*Intonated

[@bigbrownhouse6999]

@@ethanpederson *intonationalized

[@chrisj1319]

@@bigbrownhouse6999 intonationiplicated*

[@bigbrownhouse6999]

@@chrisj1319 it’s funny because intonation is just the noun form of “tune”

[@yabo2424]

In my opinion John Petrucci is the greatest Ambassador to metal guitar. Nobody breaks it down like him. My favorite guitar player of the last 30 years is John. His sound, technical approach, y overall guitar playing is unmatched !

[@adamspeaks7604]

John's tone is pure ear candy.

[@pedrosilvamusician]

His gear is not wallet candy though ahah

[@isaiah2028]

Rich. Chocolate. Cake.

[@styles.bichley]

It's always great to hear an accomplished guitarist give Alex Lifeson props, because he is possibly to most overlooked influential guitarists of all time :(

[@jasonkeith9317]

Alex is the man.

[@QuikdethDeviantart]

Maybe , but I think Rick Emmett beat him to most overlooked Canadian….

[@Elyoslayer]

John just opens your eyes when you see him analyze how Chords and Power Chords can be played, i have seen quite a bit of material from him and it's been truly amazing!

[@yabo2424]

Me too !! He's totally opened my mind !!

[@TheStarcraftJunkie]

But which knob controls the rate of the Earth's revolution?

[@williamscolaro1159]

TheDotaJunkie its next to the one that controls how hot the sun is.

[@ferdelance.]

Jace Noto what

[@semperrockosuarusgiganticu7452]

Anyone he wants.

[@jrgilbert]

I love the comments. Did you ever watch John himself watching that video? Awesome.

[@basedhumanofficial]

bahaha! nice

[@adamscottv]

That sound is soooo tight

[@beyondthelol]

when hes playing those chords holy shit that sound is huge

[@dustoffmedic71]

Finally someone who mentions Queensryche! Now he’s even cooler...if that was possible

[@araxxisinnovations6544]

Chris Degarmo is a god!

[@UnityTheorem]

All I need is for John Petrucci to be my guitar teacher for 6 months and I would finally be able to fully understand all those nuances that have confounded me for 30 years. He has such a great method of explaining his intentions.

[@neriobrave9015]

Man 30yrs u must be an Awesome guitarist aswell ..👍 almost 20 yrs here..

[@msertokom]

30, 20 years you guys must be an awesome guitarist...me I just got my first electric guitar

[@BHAKTIBROPHY]

This is where theory comes in handy, kids. U2 played the infamous 1 - (5 - 4 - 3) power, or double stop, riff in 1983 on the WAR album, but WITHOUT the pedal 5th in the bass, and no doubled notes etc.. John took that technique HE learned from Queensrýche and added the extra 5th in the bass and in the open string... I learned this from his 1993 instructional video and it added such a meatier sound to my playing. The added 9th was my favorite (another sus chord, but theoretically called an add 9 because it's an octave higher than the 2nd)... but without the third it's beautiful; with a minor third even moreso (1-5-9-b3), it's no longer a power chord, but a minor(add9). A powerful chord to have in your toolbox. Anyway-- it's amazing when you don't need the tab to know what he's doing, because he's pulling everything from the E major scale (except the last example in the key of Em [Relative G major, which is why C & D are major chords)... it's a beautiful thing to be able to see the patterns a player is culling the notes from just by watching. Something I learned from Vai (and PLEASE don't waste time saying who's a better player. I'm friends with Steve-- he said he and John [and Joe] are like brothers and call each other to bounce ideas off each other all the time. They think this comparing of the three is ridiculous). So thank you Guitar World and John for taking the time to explain the Rush extended power chords technique, and John's ultimate technique. Great lesson! Guitar World was a priceless tomb from 1980 - 1990, my first 15 years of playing. I still have Steve's 10 Hour Workout from 1990. Thanks for all the Dream Theater, Vai, and Satch cover stories throughout your almost 40 year anniversary. It's a beautiful thing to finally be able to hearing the chords John's playing and recognizing the intervals. The diminished 5th (b5) is brilliant as a power chord! (Smoke on The Water is a 1-4 power chord, as you know. But good place to really hear the difference between the basic 1-5 and 1-4 power chords. The fact that they're Perfect intervals really makes then resonate harmonically.) Great lesson!!

[@anthonyjackson3526]

People hear all the jargon and get overwhelmed by it all. What a lot of people forget is having even some passing idea of theory and a half decent ear will take you far. Add constructive practice and determination and you will see results I promise.

[@antonioangeconeb3196]

Ain’t nobody got time for that

[@nevigo5519]

I'm blown away just by the friggin sound. Damn.

[@ciesinsk]

JP is such an incredible person. The explanations make perfect sense. The thing about the double-stop chords being a hint for major or minor also occured to me during ny guitar playing, but I was never able to actually identify it as being just this. BTW: He talks so gentle and IS so gentle, he even mutes his guitar gently as he accidentally rings some strings while he talks at around 6:42. :) I just love listening to him, either talking or playing.

[@Babs42]

His tone is so beefy and yet chimey. God I love it.

[@dthellland9738]

yeah

[@willroland9811]

Mesa Boogie is unique that way...got something to do with the the clean channel running in parallel with the dirt...it never goes out of the signal chain. Gotta be the reason near as I can figure

[@narasimhaniyer6990]

One of the most enlightening videos on power chords I must say.

[@bestboy897]

Simple yet so effective plus John is such a humble and cool guy.

[@Aresmusic.official]

This man is sharing like a lot of information so very generously! Hands down 🙌

[@Soldano999]

This was fascinating. I am a huge fan of double stops and similar techniques based on creating a tension and resolving it, but hearing it explained so clearly helps me realise what i'm doing.

[@Guitarliano]

I love these. Thank you John and team 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@pawelos4]

This may be the best tone ever

[@jeffmeyers7562]

Great stuff John always appreciate you taking the time to do these videos you make it very easy to understand what your doing that's the other cool thing about your videos.

[@WizardOfArc]

The majesty is a gorgeous guitar

[@Kurgan100]

Yes but Ibanez sounds better :p

[@barrygerenski6259]

I just think it's great that the greats of the guitar world like JP and Joe Satriani and Steve Vai take time and explain there mastery of their craft.

[@SuperMrThom]

He's such a legend and at the same time so humble, he doesn't understand how to mere mortals this is magic. Great guy - unbelievable player.

[@BillLarkinmusic]

Thanks John! you reminded me of a few things i havn't been thinking about lately..

[@Mr.Nabil.Belhaj]

Great series of lessons with John

[@sullysnet]

now I really know why I love John's playing, I have always felt the same way about chords and probably for the same reasons. Great stuff....This is also relevant outside of metal as well.

[@bahritkharakor9257]

JP...The living guitar legend!!

[@bruceanthony8345]

AND IMMORTAL GUITAR PLAYER, KING THE KING´S OF THE SHRED

[@monsterram6617]

Power chords, yes... but will you tell us the secrets of the Power Beard?!?!

[@spudvader]

Monster RAM It cannot be told, one has to go on his own journey. Battle throught wind, fire and the bubble wrap jungle at the foot of mount tikitranny and then you may understand. But its not a given that you will achieve such wisdoms, only the few that truly understand will get to grow a Power Beard. Good luck my brother and safe travels

[@dcsdccsydc7272]

Maybe on Beard Worlds channel :D

[@rhettmccoullough6990]

His chords are almost as thick as his beard.

[@joaojr7918]

Minoxidil

[@AAAAAAAARRGHH]

..perhabs hes using fretboard oil.. 🤔

[@davidepannone6021]

JP

[@manitheman0806]

He makes it look so easy....Great stuff!!!!

[@izeshmikurac]

Woah, this was eye opening for learning new ways to play power chords

[@6u174r808]

Great stuff man. Thanks Guitar World and Satch, Vai & John. Would love to see more from other guitarists on this particular power chord topic, and riff writing as well. When I think of riffs I think of songs like Day Tripper, Moby Dick, Sad But True, Fight Till Death, Gone Shooting.

[@marcosatry]

this is so Cool!!thanks John!

[@danopticon]

In an odd way, that it could take 16 minutes (and change) to explain power chords is what forced me to watch this video - WHAT COULD I HAVE BEEN MISSING ALL THESE YEARS!?? A lot, it seems!

[@brianosbment2343]

I just got tons of ideas from this! Very cool!

[@brianosbment2343]

This guy is amazing! I love that tone.

[@kevdean9967]

Good lesson. Love that couch!

[@davidwilson1387]

....it's like he just gave us all permission to understand stuff! That's the next 6 months inspiration for me, great John , loved you for 20 years ...and counting!

[@hanifarjo5222]

Very great guitarist. I've seen him with DT many times. Great artists, musicians and surely the whole band. Prog-Kings!

[@RogerRafael]

Everything in this lesson can be seen at The Count of Tuscany on its first verse with vocals. Amazing!

[@theantonlulz]

Rush reference right off the bat, awesome

[@sn95_mustang_garage]

I'm such a power chord geek, I love this stuff. Maybe because I was teenager in the late 80's and power chords were the thing. My favorite guitarist is John Sykes and the first Whitesnake hit album from 1987 was power chord heaven.

[@seanknot]

Good for black blackmetal aswell, it's all good :D

[@C_mao]

This video had me thinking 'Whitesnake' too

[@theaterdreamer]

Sykes is a huge influence. Love his two albums leading Blue Murder. Guy’s not only a beast on the Les Paul, his voice is incredible.

[@rrgghuhgfvjhdrgfzejjg]

Best lesson on riffing !

[@bryllecortes9780]

To think about it, Metropolis pt. 1 is basically a technical version of Eyes of a Stranger. They are both cool songs. QR and DT for life!

[@richardblack3385]

Ya know I could see that lol

[@sirtogii5216]

So brilliant

[@mickey007r]

Thx a bunch! I needed this lesson

[@cloudrun654]

I love this lesson!

[@wanik4]

So well spoken.

[@AMB666]

This guitar sounds very awesome!

[@bryanjordan8876]

Hahaha. Right before he mention metallica, my first thought was "Damn, he just metallica'd better than metallica themselves!"

[@theaterdreamer]

Bryan Jordan and somewhere, Lars is thinking of suing.

[@tromboneman4517]

Bryan Jordan, darn right.

[@Henrix1998]

btw the riffs in the end are from the Dream Theater album. Enemy Inside and some other song

[@YellowCab76]

what a great guy. so down to earth.

[@DoctorRobertBobby]

John sounds great here. superb tone.

[@MrCanadianCaber]

A guitar savant that can teach as well as he plays. Thank you, Guru Petrucci!

[@Immariolopez]

Why is he wearing his daughters shirt?

[@kittymarlu526]

Been hanging round Yngwie a lil too much

[@BG-ph8hp]

😅

[@samvallongo9214]

Wow tyvm ur guitar intelligence is awesome wish I'd known this years ago

[@ELPYLAK]

A huge amount of beautifull information in just a few minutes!!!. Great!!!!. Sorry for my english, Iam a native spanish speaker!.

[@BrandonofRedemption]

Petrucc is the man! My favorite guitar player.

[@Radegastx0]

One of the best guitar lessons on the internet. John rulez!

[@micahbrill]

The master at work.

[@ricstormwolf]

I can't believe I haven't watched this until now. These chords are why I wanted to learn guitar in the first place.

[@guitarheroscotty550]

Ok now we know why John is the# 1 innovator of progressive metal🎸🎶💚

[@s6o5c4c3e2r1]

His tone is enchanting

[@JustinOhio]

Some good songs to learn for this technique, Tesla - Modern Day Cowboy, Dream Theater - Count of Tuscany main riff.

[@jrgilbert]

So nice. I remember seeing Modern Day Cowboy back in the day and being blown away. Bought the album the next day. Still their best album to me by far. Bust a Nut is sweet though.

[@kevinmcguinness1113]

And a lot of Queensryche songs, especially ones like Empire and Suite Sister Mary, which use these chromatic power chords extensively, sometimes with the pedal note, sometimes without, and also sometimes including the minor 3rd, which John didn't mention here.

[@jamiee172]

This look of his just blows my mind, I was so used to seeing him when he looked like a office worker, not a biker like Zakk Wylde!

[@dethstormpx4]

The guy is next level.... always has been!

[@gordonfagan9329]

No wounder why i love these guys,rush and queensryche were my favs

[@akhmadkhan5785]

Good job sir ❤

[@gr8guitarplayer]

With all those 3rds, 4ths, flat 5's added to basic power chords, you're starting to get into inversions, which is commonly how piano players approach playing their chord shapes. We guitar players don't automatically see these differing ways of playing chords, but it really starts to add some "flavor" to our playing when we start blending these inversions into the chord shapes. This is a reason why it can be important to incorporate the way other musical instruments play chords, especially piano, into our writing and playing. Matt Bellamy is a good example, because he takes chord shapes the way they're played on piano, and brings them into his guitar playing, and gets some really cool sounding chord progressions.

[@avbthree]

The verse in Count of Tuscany is a great example of him using these techniques .

[@brianosbment2343]

This guy is amazing!

[@richieoftampa994]

That guitar design is flawless.

[@filoudiver]

how can a musician be that good!!!! !!!! he is truly a giant guitarist ...the greatest!!!!!!!!!

[@titoreyes8157]

Máster class .love you amazing guitarrista.saludos desde Perú.

[@gustavofreitas318]

Nice! Thanks!

[@b.m.1022]

His tone gives me goosebumps

[@9ZenMedia]

I love when the algorithm is like “hey here’s part 3 of a thing you’ve never seen” I’m like “thanks bruh, you da coolest”

[@Avishreds]

Holy tone. Holy playing

[@Siama77]

Very informative

[@ToneD5150]

Gr8 lesson...!!!

[@rustycockering9925]

The 80's Hair Metal dudes made a living on those type of two-note chords against a pedal tone. Warren DeMartini, George Lynch, and Mick Mars come to mind.

[@28mary06]

A gentle softspoken man

[@heyitsvonage2768]

this video just added 100 points to my life bar

[@josiasfrancisco937]

Grande Mestre obrigado Mestre

[@jamstudiostheshed1]

Yes rize to the fourth man thats good , resolve to to the 3rd its how your tought thanks you never stop learning lisen to the man THANK YOU .

[@FernandoRamirez-ub4zw]

Gracias jebus 🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@jamstudiostheshed1]

Indrojines chord i love that , more more please .

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

Greats stuff.

[@bryllecortes9780]

John Petrucci playing Eyes of a Stranger in 5:27. Good stuff!

[@Scarshockable]

Awesome, we learn so much with him. A living god. What is the amp used in this video? A fractal fx?

[@laysman12345]

I believe he always has his mesa boogie JP-2C with him

[@mattglinsmann2233]

You’re a wizard harry

[@classicartfoundation639]

I love that Queensryche part

[@LD-qj2te]

Salsa G3 awesome guy! Great guitar guy humble and yet a monster rocker

[@gabrielrothley]

Sick guitar 🤘

[@arpeggioblues5924]

Question for John.. Do you ever use Altered Tunings, or drop standard tunings. or use 7 string (strings) 7-2 and make a baritone guitar?

[@jefteoliver]

Hey, you plan to do something like that with michael romeo?

[@KhaledTobolat]

Perfect you are brother

[@ahmadsallehudinabdulrahman]

What is the setup in this shooting? Is he using his regular boogie or something else? What are the effects used? Thank you.