Rock Chords
When playing Rock or Blues styles, guitarists commonly use chords where only two strings are played. These two note chords are called Rock chords. Sometimes they are also called "Fifth" chords or Power chords. Here are two examples of the two string rock chord shapes for a root 6 G chord and a root 5 C chord.
C Rock Chord
C Rock Chord
Notice that these chord shapes are derived from the root 6 and root 5 bar chord shapes. Power chords are most commonly played on an electric guitar with distortion. Distortion is created by turning the amplifier volume up high or using a distortion effect pedal or distortion switch on the amp itself. Power chords sound better if they are played with only down strums. If distortion is being used they are quite often played with only one down strum per bar ( 
).
Play the following progression using only root 6 rock chords and one strum per bar. Remember only play two strings.
Rhythm Pattern
Play the following progression using root 6 rock chords with this rhythm pattern.
Rhythm Pattern
Play the previous two chord progressions again using root 6 rock chords for the first two bars and root 5 rock chord for the second two bars e.g., in example 29 play the G and A chord as root 6 shapes and play the C and D chords as root 5 shapes.
Play the following progression using root 5 rock chords and this two bar rhythm pattern.
Rhythm Pattern
Rhythm Pattern
Rhythm Pattern
