A power chord is a simple chord centered on the root and the fifth. Because it leaves out the third that decides major or minor, it sounds powerful and deliberately ambiguous.
The basic idea
It pairs well with distorted guitar and is common in rock and metal. Just moving the root around makes riffs and backing parts easy to build.
Using it in performance and programming
Play the root and the fifth on the low strings and combine them with palm muting to chug. Let the bass hold the root, and keep the low end from piling up.
Difference from related terms
A power chord contains no third. Its character is different from that of ordinary major and minor chords.
It is an easy approach when you want power from rhythm and tone rather than from complex chord progressions.
