Hello to all who view and read this blog. This is a post to ask for suggestions on other topics about learning the guitar that I could help to answer.
At the moment, I have attempted to answer all the more common questions on the basics of playing the guitar. If I have missed out any topics that you might want to know, feel free to either post a reply to this, or even to send me an email using the link on the top right hand corner of the screen (below my picture).
Send in your questions and if I am able to, I will attempt to answer them through the blog.
06 January, 2010
23 December, 2009
What's the difference between barre chords, power chords and open barre chords
I was recently asked this question. It was actually just the difference between barre chords and power chords. I added in "open barre chords" because to me, it's also important to know what they are.
First of all, I did a google search but couldn't find the term "open barre chords", so I guess I just invented another term. Not to worry, I'll explain later in this post what I mean when I say "open barre chord".
Okay, I think by now, you should know what a barre chord is, and how to play a barre chord. If not, you can read about it here and here. So now, let me explain what a power chord is then. A power chord is almost like a barre chord. The only difference is that you don't strum all 6 strings (if you're playing on the 6th string), or 5 strings (if you're playing on the 5th string). Instead, you strum only the 6th, 5th and 4th string (if you're playing on the 6th string) or 5th, 4th and 3rd string (if you're playing on the 5th string.)
I will use two chords as an example. Let's use the example of a power chord A (on the 6th string), and a power chord D (on the 5th string):
("X" means you do not strum those strings)
So, if you play the above, you will get an A and a D power chord respectively. An interesting thing to note about the power chord is that it can be used regardless whether the note is a major or a minor. So, that means if you're playing a song in the key of G (you have an Am in the family of G), you just need to play the above power chord A. You don't have to play an Am (there is no power chord Am anyway).
Generally, power chords are used by electric guitar players. They also add effects to it such as distortion, and it sound pretty nice, especially for rock or heavier song.I would not suggest you to use them in acoustic songs - unless you want the song to sound heavy.
Next, I'll talk about what an open barre chord is. I will also show you two examples. One of them on the 6th string, and the other on the 5th string:
Okay, notice the difference between the open barre chord and a standard barre chord? Your index finger doesn't have to barre the whole fret. You let the other strings ring. I kind of use these chords quite often in my videos as well because I find it has a really nice sound as compared to a standard barre chord.
One thing to note about this open barre chord is that it does not sound nice on all chords. The chords where it sounds nice are:
6th string - F# (2nd fret), A (5th fret),
5th string - B (2nd fret), C# (4th fret), E (7th fret)
Of course you could try the other frets, but some of them just sound terrible.
I hope this post has made it more clear the difference between a barre chord, power chord and open barre chord.
First of all, I did a google search but couldn't find the term "open barre chords", so I guess I just invented another term. Not to worry, I'll explain later in this post what I mean when I say "open barre chord".
Okay, I think by now, you should know what a barre chord is, and how to play a barre chord. If not, you can read about it here and here. So now, let me explain what a power chord is then. A power chord is almost like a barre chord. The only difference is that you don't strum all 6 strings (if you're playing on the 6th string), or 5 strings (if you're playing on the 5th string). Instead, you strum only the 6th, 5th and 4th string (if you're playing on the 6th string) or 5th, 4th and 3rd string (if you're playing on the 5th string.)
I will use two chords as an example. Let's use the example of a power chord A (on the 6th string), and a power chord D (on the 5th string):
("X" means you do not strum those strings)
So, if you play the above, you will get an A and a D power chord respectively. An interesting thing to note about the power chord is that it can be used regardless whether the note is a major or a minor. So, that means if you're playing a song in the key of G (you have an Am in the family of G), you just need to play the above power chord A. You don't have to play an Am (there is no power chord Am anyway).
Generally, power chords are used by electric guitar players. They also add effects to it such as distortion, and it sound pretty nice, especially for rock or heavier song.I would not suggest you to use them in acoustic songs - unless you want the song to sound heavy.
Next, I'll talk about what an open barre chord is. I will also show you two examples. One of them on the 6th string, and the other on the 5th string:
Okay, notice the difference between the open barre chord and a standard barre chord? Your index finger doesn't have to barre the whole fret. You let the other strings ring. I kind of use these chords quite often in my videos as well because I find it has a really nice sound as compared to a standard barre chord.
One thing to note about this open barre chord is that it does not sound nice on all chords. The chords where it sounds nice are:
6th string - F# (2nd fret), A (5th fret),
5th string - B (2nd fret), C# (4th fret), E (7th fret)
Of course you could try the other frets, but some of them just sound terrible.
I hope this post has made it more clear the difference between a barre chord, power chord and open barre chord.
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