Power Chords on Acoustic Guitar

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I guess I’ll be the contrarian here.  I think you should learn barre chords >and not waste your time on "power chords." >Here’s why: >A friend of mine learned power chords back in the 80’s.  Other than a few >leads, it’s still all he knows.  I jam with him because he’s my friend.  I >have a lot of other guys I jam with that I have hooked him up with and they >refuse to jam with him a 2nd time.  It’s because he doesn’t know his chords >and can only play power chords. >Before I hooked up with this guy I had no idea what a power chord was.  Once >I saw what he was doing I was instantly able to play exactly what he was >doing (I simply played open E and open A barre chords but only 3 strings). >I tried to show him a few Beatles’ songs but he started complaining about >those <insert expletives here> Beatles chords.  I had only attempted to show >him a D7, the 3rd chord I ever learned.  Do yourself a favor and don’t fall >into this trap.  IMHO you can’t spend too much time on chords, they are the >backbone of the guitar. >Brian >Brian, >    Actually you don’t seem that contrary to other opinions.  Most are saying >learn them, but not as a prime objective.   >                                        Eric

Actually I think its tremendously important. The great secret of guitar playing that hits us all like a bolt from the blue about six months into learning is: Once you get barre chords down you can play ANYTHING! Wow! what a concept! I think the best path for a beginner (and this might be controversial, I don’t know)  is to 1. Learn open major chords 2. Learn other voicings of major chords (min, 5, 7, 9, sus4 and onwards) 3. Learn major barre chords 4. Learn other barre chord voicings 5. Everything else Obviously I can only give an opinion on what worked for me but it seems sensible and logical.

Response:

> Perhaps I misunderstand, but wouldn’t "power chords" played on an > acoustic be played identically to ones played on an electric? > StevieZ > I just have an acoustic guitar. Should I bother learning "power > chords" with it? They sound is crapy on it, though the fifth string > ones below the fifth fret sound better then ones played towards the > neck on the sixth string.

I think this is a case of having some distortion or effect present and the tonal quality heard through an amp, rather than the clear sound an acoustic produces when sounding power chords I usually palm dampen at the bridge which gives them a ‘meatier’ sound on my acoustic. Chris

Response:

I guess I’ll be the contrarian here.  I think you should learn barre chords and not waste your time on "power chords." Here’s why: A friend of mine learned power chords back in the 80’s.  Other than a few leads, it’s still all he knows.  I jam with him because he’s my friend.  I have a lot of other guys I jam with that I have hooked him up with and they refuse to jam with him a 2nd time.  It’s because he doesn’t know his chords and can only play power chords. Before I hooked up with this guy I had no idea what a power chord was.  Once I saw what he was doing I was instantly able to play exactly what he was doing (I simply played open E and open A barre chords but only 3 strings). I tried to show him a few Beatles’ songs but he started complaining about those <insert expletives here> Beatles chords.  I had only attempted to show him a D7, the 3rd chord I ever learned.  Do yourself a favor and don’t fall into this trap.  IMHO you can’t spend too much time on chords, they are the backbone of the guitar. Brian

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I guess I’ll be the contrarian here.  I think you should learn barre chords >and not waste your time on "power chords." >Here’s why: >A friend of mine learned power chords back in the 80’s.  Other than a few >leads, it’s still all he knows.  I jam with him because he’s my friend.  I >have a lot of other guys I jam with that I have hooked him up with and they >refuse to jam with him a 2nd time.  It’s because he doesn’t know his chords >and can only play power chords. >Before I hooked up with this guy I had no idea what a power chord was.  Once >I saw what he was doing I was instantly able to play exactly what he was >doing (I simply played open E and open A barre chords but only 3 strings). >I tried to show him a few Beatles’ songs but he started complaining about >those <insert expletives here> Beatles chords.  I had only attempted to show >him a D7, the 3rd chord I ever learned.  Do yourself a favor and don’t fall >into this trap.  IMHO you can’t spend too much time on chords, they are the >backbone of the guitar. >Brian

Brian,     Actually you don’t seem that contrary to other opinions.  Most are saying learn them, but not as a prime objective.                                           Eric

Response:

>I just have an acoustic guitar. Should I bother learning "power chords" >with it? They sound is crapy on it, though the fifth string ones below >the fifth fret sound better then ones played towards the neck on the sixth >string.

Undoubtedly. Anything you learn is of value. Doesn’t matter whether its a power chord, a jazz progression or a banjo lick. Everything you add is one more weapon in your technique arsenal that you can whip out and use at the appropriate moment. How do you mean it sounds "crapy" [sic]? Buzz, rattle, choke, tuning/intonation? Could be a correctable setup issue.

Response:

Not sure what you mean by crappy, but I find that some heavier stuff that if predominantly power chords sounds great on an acoustic… One day I’m gonna do an acoustic version of Rock You Like a Hurricane… — Let my sword devour Until it’s thirst is quenched in blood And my enemies sleep forever…

Response:

Perhaps I misunderstand, but wouldn’t "power chords" played on an acoustic be played identically to ones played on an electric? StevieZ

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I just have an acoustic guitar. Should I bother learning "power chords" > with it? They sound is crapy on it, though the fifth string ones below > the fifth fret sound better then ones played towards the neck on the sixth > string.

Response:

>I just have an acoustic guitar. Should I bother learning "power chords" >with it? They sound is crapy on it, though the fifth string ones below >the fifth fret sound better then ones played towards the neck on the sixth >string.

   Sure you should learn everything you can.  If you are a brand new beginner, it would probably be a better idea to learn the basic open chords first, and the notes on the first few frets of the fretboard.  Power chords have their place, and can sound very good on an acoustic.                                     Eric

Response:

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