Power Chords [A FUN way to get GOOD at them]

In this guitar lesson, I'll focus on power chords for beginners. Power chords are essential for learning guitar and playing one of your first songs. If you think power chords are only for rock music, think again.
I'll show you how to make power chords, how to apply them to your practice routine, and how to play one of your first songs with power chords!
Power chords rely on 3 notes to create, well, power! It uses the fifth scale degree to create a powerful, grounded, and easy chord. The best part about power chords? You can use the same finger position all over the fretboard!
In this lesson on power chords, you'll learn how to play "Louie Louie," by the Kingsmen. Pretty soon, you'll start hearing power chords in all types of music!
Remember, this is one part in a series called "30 Days to Play." Get tabs & 30-day checklist: 30daystoplay.com
If you want an in-depth write-up of this lesson, check out the Ultimate Guide to Learning Guitar here: acousticlife.t...

[@oldsoul1384]

In my opinion, I think powers chords should be taught way before Em, Am and, which most beginners learn, and it sounds cool. Then they'll be able to play some well know riffs, which is what most people want when learning guitar.

[@dannahbanana11235]

Seconded

[@v01dcl4n5]

@@dannahbanana11235 Thirded

[@plantain.1739]

Whatever mad man though teaching people cowboy chords first was a good idea needs to be brought to justice. Honestly at least Em and A are relatively easy open chords, but like transitions from C to G as a beginner just makes you wanna quit.

[@Hannaaaaaassss]

the icon fits.

[@BenDover-mm9ry]

This made it so much less intimidating and easy to comprehend. Thanks

[@neilross9867]

Yeah! What he said lol

[@futur_sunds]

Your name 😂

[@futur_sunds]

@The Sea Meteor Wants To Know Your Location best username

[@Cryptic0013]

Power chords should 100% be what most students learn first. Hell, a whole lot of rock stars have made a whole lot of money without learning much more than what you taught us in five minutes.

[@Trigger_000]

*I subscribed because of the beard.*

[@rhysosullivan7381]

Same bro😂😂😂

[@TheBardOfPine]

Me too hun 😂

[@KamikaziHobbit]

you chose....wisely.

[@lhenry1693]

Wow…thats foolish

[@charlesmilagrosa1173]

“I’m not trying to insult anybody”😂

[@UwU-dx5hu]

hahaha

[@lukesmith5594]

Kurt Cobain has entered the chat

[@snaccsize]

Ikr oh my god 😝🤣

[@bray2424]

he’s the goat

[@alexisa.2795]

Yup

[@lunamoone5231]

YEs!

[@gsusmakama]

Lovely Video! Sorry for the intrusion, I would appreciate your initial thoughts. Have you tried - Rozardner Stopping Sounds Reality (erm, check it on google should be there)? It is a good one off product for transforming you into A guitar legend minus the hard work. Ive heard some unbelievable things about it and my mate at very last got excellent success with it.

[@nyramz2034]

If u learn power chord then u can play most of greenday song

[@rolfgustavsonmusic]

Exactly!!! That's how I learned to play guitar some 10 years ago

[@KingChaos777]

Thats totally it

[@KingChaos777]

Green Day is the King of Powerchords and the Punk Rock Royalty

[@noahvangenhassend3520]

And NIRVANA

[@martinamarty1859]

@@KingChaos777 yess!

[@neilross9867]

I've stumbled along for years (something like 20 years, no joke) and got steadily better over time. Never really gave it the dedication I maybe should have, and in hindsight probably could have, but always loved having one or two guitars around the house and the opportunity to pick one up and have ten minutes/half an hour, or on the odd occasion a few hours to strum a few cords, or as has become more often these days learn a new song to play. I've not progressed to electric yet, and may never, but this video has just opened a whole new arena to me. I have a wide spectrum in terms of styles of music I like to listen to, and love to try and play a song I love so I can play along with it while I'm listening or impress someone by playing it myself, sometimes singing along too, but I've not quite mastered playing and singing at the same time yet. But the ease at which you've just managed to teach me these new cords, and more importantly successfully got me to understand them is my gateway to more bedroom gymnastics and horizontal twitchy cardio than I can keep up with. At 49 years young I estimate I've wasted about 30 years. I can hear panties falling down all around me as we speak 🤣🤣🤣

[@RohanSingh-di4tk]

Takea guitar class big brother.. ❤️🖖

[@rachelorn9621]

This is by far the most helpful power chord video for beginners. I’ve been searching for days. Thank you!

[@ilovemyskittlesbaby]

I remember starting off with power chords. I miss it! I’m gonna play power chords again now.

[@Hardrada88]

I never had a clue about power chords or stuff when I started. Found a guitar in a bin, fixed it, thrashed it..trashed it..bought another and thrashed it. Learned everything from guys like this but didn't have video then they'd play in the bar where I worked (sound man) and would happily share, jam and have fun. I'm glad this guys out there broadcasting to a wider audience. When in doubt..pick up a guitar, play it and laugh. Its just brilliant

[@brunnalau1015]

This is best video on explaining power chords to a beginner. Thank you!

[@SSR_RedDevil]

Thanks to this video, it has confirmed it. I have been playing power chords wrong, for years. I've been playing with my ring finger and pinkie the wrong way round. The chords sound no different. However, my way has made it impossible to learn the crazy spider chords by Megadeth. I'm learning to change the "muscle" memory in my fingers. Tough, but I'll get there.

[@armandoski-g]

wtf bro

[@armandoski-g]

how is that even possible

[@theccarbiter]

I don’t even use my pinkie I just bar both with my ring finger

[@SSR_RedDevil]

@@armandoski-g my pinky finger rests in front instead of behind. I also have ligament damage in index finger, which probably doesn’t help with dexterity. Either way, it’s never stopped me from doing power chords. Certain open chords are hit or miss as well.

[@spleoneHOF]

Just made so much sense. lol. I’m a bass player who is trying to pick up the acoustic. Thanks bro. Power chord video was awesome too.

[@sarnobat2000]

Where has this video been since I bought mine?! Not only is it after my own heart (having fun hearing songs I like - Old Time Rock and Roll), it's showing me that Wild Thing is perfectly reasonable. Thank you

[@userenvy]

Omg ur so right I just ordered a guitar. It didn't come and im tired already because i want to learn... But all the technical stuff has me worn out. I havent been able to understand why until u said it. My ex played and he only played power cords.

[@jayboss9978]

This was an amazing lesson for a beginner like me. Thanks! I’m subscribed!

[@Doowopsid]

Great job Tony. I’ve been playing open chords for years since I struggle with even the F chord. I’m going to use your helpful lesson and try to put your approach to use. It may take me another 40 years but I’ll keep trying! Thanks

[@biryaniboy7587]

Dude... you are like such a good teacher... like for real man! 👍🏻

[@grease3873]

it's been 5 minutes and im obsessed-

[@ge5021]

YEP, i had all those things told to me and i was getting fucked off! As, quite confidently i was able to play a lot of songs already just using Open Chords! I, started HATING Power Chords before even knowing them or trying them . As, my uncle kept forcing the issue? Until, i watched this clip. THANK YOU TONY, you are the man! I, have now mastered the Power Chords from A-G and i am in LOVE! Thank you once again for a straight forward, understandable tutorial

[@t-mac6210]

This lesson has resurrected my pursuit to be a rockstar lol

[@passingpoor]

Christian rock?

[@elspoocho4637]

i can't agree more! start with power chords and once those get boring move on

[@duarteolim6473]

I play guitar for some years now and ihit the like button after 25 seconds of video for what you said

[@NickJ345]

Amazing tutorial, love how you explain these chords and make me feel like I can do it!

[@deasmith99]

you had me with that hockey jersey

[@marystacey2216]

Hi Tony , thanks so much , loved it , instant fun from start !!!

[@Perun42]

Simple and amazing! Thank you! :)

[@IsaacWale2004]

Thank you for this - I struggle so much with these...

[@thisnicelife]

thank you omg so much I have been playing for a bit of time and have NEVER learned power chords and I got to them and I was like nooooo and thought I was so screwed cause I didnt learn them at all, but you saved me thank you so much.

[@Teh3aZ]

2:58 I'm actually crying

[@notsochan]

😭😭😂

[@moby7384]

Then go to hospital

[@magg0t_zz]

You do not understand how helpful this was oh my god thank you so much!!!

[@markbrady7532]

Nice! Thank you--love playing Violent Femmes, Iron Maiden and Metallica on acoustic : )

[@rosemorningstar5368]

Amazing video. 0:52 You literally look like the love child of Jay and Silent Bob here. Absolute killer!

[@suegates5]

🚩Duh moment, while playing, Never thought of Muting, just tried to be accurate. Thanks

[@JoJo99xtv]

dont worry same, i usually ignore using the other strings cause its more work but this just made it easier 😂😂

[@TJ-cg8mq]

..hey Junior. . You've just learned your first song!! :) Easy to comprehend and well explained. .thank you !!

[@robinbyrd410]

Wow thank you best easiest explanation I ever heard on you tube

[@tormented_imp]

MY WRISSSSTTTT

[@-RXB-]

Finally something that's fun

[@bard-of-estland]

Louie, Louie, oh baby!

[@SalvadorDaliLama]

Wild Thing! You make my heart sing. I just made that up. We should start a band 😏

[@ching5318]

Get hooked is the perfect words!

[@LaGataSolar]

Ahhhh thank you this was soooo good and understandable

[@chillmoney3858]

1:25 wait what I thought that was the E B G strings no wonder my string keep popping off my guitar when i tune then Ima idiot

[@n3wtoncr0sby72]

Oh he's good!

[@andrewmeyers19]

This helped me out a lot thank you so much

[@declanlohan7951]

Wow a guitar KZbin video that wasn’t a waste of time thanks 👍

[@johnnymidnight4402]

Always, thanks you sir 😎👍

[@nibirumadeit]

Bruh i needed this right now

[@lordshredalot9620]

Thx, this was very helpful.

[@KimitaDom]

Love it!! Thanks!!🥺💕

[@mannyroman3599]

Great, Thank You.

[@marcd1981]

I'm just seeing this in May of 2024, and I was just at the link for 30 Days to Play. There is a video you can watch demonstrating one of the lessons, and I was wondering something after seeing it. This is a beginner course, but Tony is talking about the fret board and strings more like for someone that already learned the notes, strings, and chords. Should someone starting this learn those things first, or would they still be able to take the course without reading music or knowing which notes the strings are?

[@NathanB417]

Not me finding this after a month and a half of trying to learn 5 chords and 382 mini meltdowns 😅🤷‍♂️

[@kevinharrison3265]

Thank you very much. I get it know!

[@Aved_the_Alien]

thank you brother

[@audiotistic1980]

This vid helped me a lot. Ty

[@cosmoz6038]

THANK YOU !!

[@Altukfashionfinds]

Awesome 🤟 thanks dude!!

[@catsinableton]

Like that philosophy!

[@denisstanciu7085]

So I’m a self-taught guitarist, started about a month ago and I see everyone holding their thumb behind the neck of the guitar. I tried it like that but my wrist hurts and it makes it harder for me to change between them. I like to hold my thumb over the neck and I want to know if it’s ok, because I don’t want to develop any bad habits. Any thoughts?

[@vedk2911]

I just started learning too, I’m pretty sure if you’re thumb is over it you can bend and vibrato easily so it should help for tjay

[@ronskokandich1002]

Really great tutorial

[@chergosolo5513]

The easiest to understand power chord video on KZbin

[@richardkrause9296]

Awesome ! .... hello Kurt !

[@lillianhackett6835]

Excellent, thanks

[@rockrsunited]

this dude is a fuckin legend man

[@cheryllakin3077]

This is a better lesson😁

[@Blanche_255]

A5 X3 down down down D5 X2 down down E5 X3 down down down D5 X2 down down A5 X3 down down down

[@ianbrown5486]

So èasy to follow thank you

[@therockreviews9007]

That was great 👍

[@yara-cp8kk]

anyone know how to grow ur hands cause my hands are way too small for this this 😀👍🏻

[@samo.2138]

same

[@XxPackerManxX]

Dude I seen a 9 yr old kid playing today. We have to have bigger hands then him🤣. Us "small handed" people just have to practice more to develop the muscle memory and figure out shortcuts when transitioning.

[@sumspartan8396]

IDK man.

[@lulahugo4208]

when I started I had that problem but your fingers stretch along the way! just keep going

[@rexchristian3067]

Awesome 👌

[@kingepital7750]

its like my fingers arent flexible enough or something. my ring finger cant reach over that far

[@tanishkalwad6787]

same i cant put my pinky under it either

[@Kshitij-ib2mn]

Which song was it?

[@SatchmoeJay]

youngsters... or internet sarcasm. lols both ways.

[@Kevzenn]

Louie Louie by the kingsmen. 👍🏻

[@lathanfarmer2999]

Personally. I wish I would’ve learned power chords first because I got used to play full major and minor chords so whenever I tried to learn the very condensed power chords shape. My technique is terrible and I have no clue what to do with my other fingers

[@weishenten3638]

2:58 i strongly believed that all the experienced guitarist understood it😅

[@jimbo1959]

If you move all your fingers down one string,how did your middle finger get on the bass "E" string?

[@mounirabouassi9927]

danke🎶

[@SeedOilHater]

Marty’s got competition

[@Poopdogg24]

Can you strum the entire thing? I’m struggling with memorizing ONLY hitting those 3

[@MothDotSwag]

I’m def really late to this but I personally like the sound of muted strings with a powerchord and I was wondering if you know of any easier way to mute the other strings while doing 2-string power chords

[@angeldiaz762]

If you want a two string chord, then all you have to do is just make your third finger touch the string without enough pressure to ring the note. That's all muting really is, just touch the string in such a manner that you're not getting a note out of it. Same goes with multiple strings, some power chords you can mute three or four strings, and then strum all six strings but have only the ones you're not muting ring out

[@MothDotSwag]

@@angeldiaz762 That’s really sweet of you to help but it’s been 8 months and I already have started releasing my own music and. an do mutes and powerchords, I be practicing, thanks tho

[@richellmcknight446]

Wild thing, I think I LOVE you!😂😂😂😁💖

[@randylantz7]

Also, "Louie, Louie".

[@Username_username-q8s]

I scrolled down all comments to find the name of the song. Although I like it but i couldnt recognize lol

[@drewdietz2115]

right on dude; excellent lesson, thanks

[@MisterMetalFan666]

I've been muting the E w the tip of my index finger. I'll have to try middle.

[@ariannaperilli3141]

That's the same method I've been using but in my case is not always effective, so I will for sure try the middle one

[@rosemorningstar5368]

Middle is ok but tbh having the middle free to play an added note on a higher string can sound really nice.

[@ariannaperilli3141]

@@rosemorningstar5368 that's a very useful tip actually, I shall try that ty

[@kevinklose]

So what song have I just learned to play? xD

[@jojoboi8854]

Why is it that everytime I try to play B or power chords all I hear is the scraping of metal strings, is it my guitar

[@itaydvash]

Do these chords have names? (Like A, G, etc.)

[@TheMarioMan247]

Not sure if you still need to see this, but this could help others Power Chords are usually written as "5" chords so Wild Thing here is: A5 D5 E5 D5

[@dodz4896]

What kind of guitar are you playing?

[@bertbregdenz2756]

Steelstring Acoustic Guitar !

[@robbycarrasco]

My guess is a 000jr?

[@maheshambokar9148]

@Kurt Cobain What's a Martin guitar?

[@seemaairy4789]

The one that sounds great no matter who is playing it.

[@luquivarde7266]

hey tony! i'm having trouble downloading the files. its not downoading and i've already submitted

[@gutta8572]

Bad news: I keep pushing too hard on the other strings, Good news: I now can do barre chords

[@BobbyBriscoeBeats]

My fingers are killing me. The strings on this guitar are so fucking stiff and hard to press. I want to practice, but I can't lol

[@moosesandmeese969]

I find I can play power chords more easily if I move my thumb down, especially towards the top of the neck

[@thepopcornpros9714]

Are there any tips for strumming? I always end up strumming the strings I’m not meant to in the power chord and it sounds horrible 😂

[@andrewdescant4996]

rest your index finger on the rest of the strings, but don’t push down. By letting your finger touch the strings you’re not allowing the notes from the other strings to ring out, which is what you want! 👍🏻

[@thepopcornpros9714]

@@andrewdescant4996 thank you so much!

[@Sumiyeco_boutique]

What’s the logic of how they’re named and a good way to memorize them?

[@rosedavid3699]

ily thank u sm

[@TheButtonOfLife]

Smooth mcgoorve?

[@izzypfutzenreuter]

It has its place for rock music, but for indie and country, it’s stifling in my experience. I prefer plucking to picking and I play a classical guitar with gut strings which I love the sound of.

[@minaunohf6062]

You totally sound like zach braff, im shook

[@freesk8]

Thanks for the great lesson and the song! I've dded it to my growing play list. By the way, that Martin parlor guitar must be a lot of fun to play! You play it well. I don't prefer the sound it makes. Almost makes it sound like a guitar with a laminated top. But I understand that is what a parlor guitar does. Trade-off: sound for convenience. Anyway, great lesson, and thanks again!

[@j99044]

How do you avoid playing other strings