Writing Guitar Riffs, Part 2: Adding Power Chords

Great guitar riffs have that magical something that reaches out, grabs you by the scruff of the neck, and pulls you all in. From Kashmir to Thrift Shop, a successful riff captures the ear and captivates the imagination.

During the first instalment of this riff-writing series, we examined the three golden rules for writing classic rock riffs: First, choose a rhythm. Second, choose a scale. Third, noodle until the magic appears. In this lesson, we’ll add power chords to beef up our guitar riffs!

Although this lesson is targeted at beginners, guitarists at every level can employ these simple devices to craft their own signature riffs. So grab your guitar and prepare to rock!

Power Up with Power Chords

Perhaps no other chord captures the strength and the fury of classic rock guitar like the power chord. Consisting of just two notes (the first and the fifth scale degrees of any major scale), power chords are big and loud, and they squeal like a jet engine just before takeoff! And best of all, they’re accessible to even the greenest beginner because they are so dang easy to play.

‘Power chords … squeal like a jet engine just before takeoff! And best of all, they’re accessible to even the greenest beginner’.

Let’s begin by constructing a few open-position power chords: E5, A5, and D5. In the examples below, the highlighted yellow notes specify the notes contained within each power chord.

Since you already learned about the major scale formula in part one of this series, I’ll skip the tedious theory and write out the major scales for each of the aforementioned power chords. If, however, you don’t know the major scale formula (WWHWWWH) by heart, I highly recommend you spend a few minutes every day committing it to memory, because the major scale is the mother of all scales.

As you can see, power chords consist of the first and fifth degrees of any major scale, which is why the number five often follows a power chord (e.g. E5, A5, and D5).

On the guitar, these chords lay out as follows in the open position:

If you’re completely new to playing guitar, then spend a few minutes working through the following examples with a backing track.

Figure 1: Open Position Power Chords

Figure 1 played on guitar:

Figure 1 backing track:

Sometimes, it’s not the notes you play, but the notes you don’t play that transform a simple exercise into an insatiable groove. Check out the following exercise for an example of sound and silence:

Figure 2: Open Position Power Chords

Figure 2 played on guitar:

Figure 2 backing track:

Movable Power Chords

Open position power chords sound great, but why limit ourselves to the open strings when movable power chords are just as easy to play? In the next two examples, you’ll learn two new shapes: the root-6 power chord (the root is located on the sixth string) and the root-5 power chord (the root is located on the fifth string). Just remember, your index finger determines the name of the chord.

Figure 3: Root-6 Power Chord

Notice the doubled root above the fifth scale degree. This beefs up the sound of the power chord, and it’s especially useful when arpeggiating power chords.

Figure 4: Root-5 Power Chord

Harmonizing the E Minor Pentatonic Scale

As discussed previously, the E minor pentatonic scale contains the following notes:

If you harmonize those notes using power chords, you’re left with the following set of chords:

Figure 5: The E Minor Pentatonic Scale Harmonized in Power Chords

This brings you back full circle to where you began. At the end of the first instalment, you learned the riff in figure #6 entirely from a pre-planned rhythm:

… and the E minor pentatonic scale.

Figure 6: Rhythm + Scale Riff from Lesson #1

Notice the power chords in measures five and eight. If you analyse these chords, you’ll discover they function as the bIII and IV degrees of the E minor pentatonic scale.

In the example above, power chords are used in the same way an exclamation point would be at the end of a sentence. In other words, they add energy and excitement to the musical statement.

‘Power chords [can be] used in the same way an exclamation point would be at the end of a sentence … [adding] energy and excitement to the musical statement.’

Your assignment: Compose an eight-bar B section to this AABA tune. Recall the three golden rules: choose a rhythm, choose a scale, and noodle until the magic appears. All of that means you’re limited to the E minor pentatonic scale harmonized in power chords (i.e. E5, G5, A5, B5, and D5) and the following rhythms (because once again, the cards have spoken!):

Figure 7: Compose a B-Section Using Power Chords

Figure 7 backing track:

So what did you come up with? If you’re interested in sharing the riff you created over the B section of this tune, please feel free to email me at: [email protected].

About the Author

Brian Parham is Oregon’s most inspired guitar instructor for kids. He is the author of The Ultimate Rock Guitar Dojo for Kids: a fun and innovative method for teaching kids to play rock guitar. Students of the dojo progress through five levels of skill and achievement represented by the white, yellow, green, red, and black guitar straps.