Power chord
A power chord is a chord of root and fifth without the third, very common in rock and metal guitar. Because the third is missing, it is neither major nor minor and fits over both. It can be heavily distorted without sounding muddy.
- Structure
- root + fifth
- Notation
- A5 = A + E
- Missing
- the third, hence neither major nor minor
- Typical in
- rock and metal, distorted guitar
- Background
- fifth
A fifth without a decision
The article Why the fifth sounds hollow explains the structure: a triad becomes major or minor only through the third, the fifth alone says nothing about that. C–G is neither cheerful nor sad, it is a statement without colouring. That is exactly why the power chord of rock music is a fifth without a third. It can be distorted loudly, because few overtones come into conflict with one another, and it fits over major as well as minor melodies, because it does not commit itself. The page Intervals adds: in rock and metal power chords are played that consist only of root and fifth (for example “A5” = A + E). The deliberate omission of the third allows heavy distortion without the sound becoming muddy.
A5: root and fifth
Two notes, seven semitones: A and E. There is no third (C or C♯).
| Chord | Notes | Third? | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| A (major) | A–C♯–E | major third | bright |
| Am (minor) | A–C–E | minor third | dark |
| A5 (power chord) | A–E | none | neutral, fits over both |
The minor third in minor riffs
On the Intervals page there is another hint about the minor third: three frets are a commonly used stretch for minor riffs and blues licks; a power chord itself has no third. In pentatonic playing the minor third is one of the most characteristic intervals.
A detour for adults
The article on the fifth names a learning path: a guitarist who has been fretting fifths for years without knowing that they are fifths already has all the listening knowledge, only the name is missing. The question “why can you play over major and minor with it?” leads in one sentence to the answer: because the third is missing, and the third is the decision. More in Major and minor: the third as a switch.
Common mistakes
- Calling the power chord a major chord: Without a third it is neutral.
- Confusing fifth with root: A5 consists of A and E, not of A and A.
- Adding too many notes: With a third it becomes a major or minor chord.
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Related terms
Perfect fifthTriadMajorMinorMajor thirdHarmonic seriesIntervalGuitar
Editor: Maik Krohm · reviewed on 3 October 2026
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