| | | Hey Friend,
So my buddy Ian over in the UK emailed me yesterday thanking me for the Boston lesson and followed that with a question about whether or not Metallica uses power chords.
What would James Hetfield say?
*Bleep* (insert certain four-letter 'F' word here) YEAH!
It's pretty easy to see in any video where there are good straight on shots of the guys playing that they are making heavy use of power chords.
I went looking for tabs of Metallica songs and they all seem to incorporate power chords for their heavy riffs. One of my favorite tab places is Songster.com. You can check out the Metallica tabs there.
For the style of music Metallica embodies, power chords are particularly helpful. Any metal music that requires fast chord changes and picking benefit from the fact that power chords are only two notes in a very straightforward shape.
Power Metal, Thrash, Speed Metal...
Power chords are comfortable to play, and when you have some attitude you want to show through your playing, a power chord is perfectly suited for it.
I've come across haters in the past that look down on power chords (and anyone who uses them) because they see them as cheats to playing the full versions of chords. True, you aren't using the harmonic range that a full chord gives you, but that's not really the point in much of the music where power chords are heavily used.
But that is one of the reasons power chords can be so effective - they create an energy. This is why they're used so often in Punk, Metal and Rock.
Metal music requires punch and attitude. This ain't a tea party we're sitting down to - this is a knock down, drag out, take no prisoners slug-fest to dominate your senses.
Sometimes you need some finesse - this isn't one of 'em!
You want the chords you're using to maximize on the amount of energy coming out of the speakers, especially when you're playing a high-speed riff.
Another thing to keep in mind when playing metal is the heavy distortion and the dynamic range of a guitar in general. When playing chords through a distorted amp, the less resolved pitches in the chord can get lost in the signal.
For instance, a chord's most apparent note is the tonic or root of the chord. The second strongest note is the fifth note.
When a chord is distorted, its very easy to hear the tonic. The fifth note is also strong because of its sound frequency in relation to the tonic. Because distortion is breaking up the sound, it becomes harder for other frequencies to stand out compared to the tonic and fifth notes.
With power chords, you only need to worry about the tonic and fifth notes - the most punchy notes of a chord. They're ideally suited for Metal!
Rhythm guitar parts (playing power chords) are going to handle the heavy lifting when it comes to the sound you feel in your chest. Think about the effect Metal musicians are going for - they want you to experience the music at your core. That's right in your chest and midsection.
It's an aggressive attitude that's coming out in the music - the artist gives you a shove to get you pushing back. To get a rise out of you. To get you to feel something.
Power chords give them a necessary tool to make that connection.
Now I'm not saying power chords are the only tool they use - but extremely effective. And power chords will be effective for you.
They're not just for metal songs, either.
- Use them for songwriting.
- Use them for learning a tune.
- Use them for strengthening your fretting hand and toughen your fingers (for you newbies).
- You can even use them to learn the fingerboard.
Power chords are no "one-trick pony!" Get a copy of Easy Power Chords for yourself and rock it out!
Peace~
Dave
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