Double-stops and Power Chords

The double-stop is the next step up from single notes. They are used in all kinds of music, from country to heavy metal, and by both lead and rhythm guitarists. Heavy overdriven guitar uses them almost exclusively in the form of power chords.

A double-stop is two notes played at the same time. (This term is exclusive to stringed instruments; for instance, one cannot play a double-stop on a clarinet, while one can play a double-stop on a violin or piano.) Perfect fourths (e.g., C-F) and perfect fifths (e.g., C-G) and are the most consonant kind of double-stop, not counting unison and octave double-stops. For this reason, they are often called power chords, especially in the context of overdriven guitar.

This diagram shows the hand positioning for a G5/D power chord:

EADGBE
xx00xx
1 ......
2 ......
3 ......
4 ......
5 ......

The top row shows open strings (shown as the number zero here; non-textual diagrams usually use a circle), and strings which are not played (shown as the letter 'x'). Each row below that indicates a fret (numbered for clarity). However, this diagram has no fretted strings. Therefore, to play this double-stop, simply strike the middle two strings as open.

Here are three fingerings for a G5 power chord:

EADGBE
---xxx
1 ......
2 ......
3 1.....
4 ......
5 .34...

EADGBE
---xxx
1 ......
2 ......
3 1.....
4 ......
5 .33...

EADGBE

---xxx
1 ......
2 ......
3 1.....
4 ......
5 .44...

These are all the same notes at the same frets, just different fingerings. The numbers indicate the number of finger to use. Finger #1 is the index finger, #2 the middle finger, #3 the ring finger, and finger #4 is the pinky finger. The thumb is not used except while fingerpicking and we will not worry about it yet. To strike this chord, arrange your fingers as shown: index finger on the third fret of the sixth string, and one or two fingers on the fifth fret of the fifth and fourth strings. The second and third fingerings are often more versatile but they are more difficult for the beginner to play. Which fingering is correct depends on both the player and the situation. For now, any fingering will do.