When practicing power chords on your guitar, there are three things you should concentrate on:
- Fretting
- Strumming
- Moving the chord position
Play using a pick and play down-strokes only, using short strokes with the pick and using your wrist, not your arm to strum.
Staying on the same chord, practice playing 1-2-3-4,you can do that 4 times.
When you're happy with your strumming technique, try the following exercises. Start slowly at first and gradually increase your speed as you become more confident. But don't be overeager to play fast too soon, as the most valuable practice can be gained from playing slowly.
Strum each chord 4 times using short, even down-strokes before changing to the next one. Remember you don't need to remove your fingers from the strings when changing chords, just relax the pressure a little and slide up or down the neck to the new chord position.
Your Power Chord Trainer will help you to keep your finger spacing correct, just remember that you need to squeeze as you move up the neck and relax when you move down the neck.
Here are some exercise for you:
1 : A - D - A - E (First finger on fret: 5 - 10 - 5 - 0)
2 : G - F - C - D (First finger on fret: 3 - 1 - 8 - 10)
3 : Bb-C - D - E (First finger on fret: 6 - 8 - 10 - 0)
4 : B - A - G - F (First finger on fret: 7 - 5 - 3 - 1)
Here are other tips to help you with your practice:
- Make sure your guitar is in tune.
- Warm up by playing the chromatic scale, forwards and backwards, several times. Play slowly, use alternate picking, and make sure each note rings clearly.
- Review the names of notes on the sixth and fifth string. Practice calling out a random note (e.g. C), and trying to find that note on BOTH the sixth and fifth string. Memorize at least two other notes, and their positions on each string.
- Work on your power chords. Make sure your ring finger is positioned well on the appropriate fret (it is the finger that most often makes power chords sound bad). Slide from chord to chord, and try moving from the 6th string power chords to the 5th string power chords.
- Review all nine major and minor chords we've learned. You should really be close to memorizing all of these chords by now. Pick two chords, and practice moving from one to the next quickly and smoothly. Then, pick two new chords, and repeat the process.
- Spend some time working on this week's new strumming pattern.
- Work on playing that pesky F major chord. Don't give up until it sounds perfect. Try playing some of the songs listed on that page.
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