Figuring out power chords on the ukulele is a lot trickier than most other chord types. There are more variations and considerations than you might think!
Here are some quick diagrams to get you started. There are many other ways to play these power chords!
An “x” means to mute or avoid the marked string.
C5
C#5/Db5
D5
D#5/Eb5
E5
F5
F#5/Gb5
G5
G#5/Ab5
A5
A#5/Bb5
B5
The Power Chord Sound
The signature power chord sound comes from a lack of notes – only two. The so-called power “chord” is actually more of a pumped up double-stop, or interval. The difference is that usually an interval won’t have any doubled notes and a power chord often does.
They’re created by taking the 1 and 5 notes from a major scale.
The 3rd scale degree that makes other chords “sad” or “happy” is missing from an ukulele power chord. It is neither major nor minor because there’s no 3rd interval to dictate the sound.
This means a C5 (“5” is shorthand for power chord) could work in the place of a major OR minor sounding chord.
Keep in mind that, unlike other chords, power chords can benefit from a sparse layout. Especially if you’re plugging your ukulele into a distortion pedal, playing a two note only power chord can be desirable for keeping the sound from being messy.
When guitarists use lots of distortion, normal major and minor chords start to sound reallymuddyand out-of-tune. So instead, they use power chords to avoiddissonance.
Iron man by Black Sabbath? Power chords. Back in Black by AC/DC? Power chords. Holiday by Green Day? Power chords.
Power Chord Theory
To create a power chord on your ukulele from scratch, you need to find the 1 and 5 notes in a major scale. If you were to pull those notes out of a C major scale, you’d get:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1C D E F G A B C
You can arrange the C and G notes in any combination and get the sound a of a power chord on your uke. Just grab a fingerboard chart and highlight all the Cs and all the Gs. The way these notes lay out and because you only need two of them, there are many fingering variations. The ones above are just some common shapes to get you started.
Power Chords on the Ukulele
You might expect the wonderful rock guitar sounds of a big power chord to transform your ukulele. But the reality is that the uke doesn’t have many of the low notes that a guitar does. The extended range of a guitar and how it reacts to distortion makes power chords sound huge. The ukulele pales in comparison.
The lowest power chord you can pull off on an ukulele with a low-G is a G5: 02xx.
So if you were expecting to play Enter Sandman and have it “chug” …maybe you should take up guitar. But still, power chords on the uke are fun and useful in the right situations.
Power chords are one of the least-used ukulele chord type. You can learn more common, traditional chord shapes in:
PDF Ebook
A neo-traditional chord reference book. Learn to create 2,268 chords out of 189 moveable shapes and learn the theory behind the magic.
If you want to find more power chord grips, you can look them up on The Ukulele Helper.
FAQs
The cool part about this is that power chords can essentially replace either chord in the context of a song. We typically play these chords with our index finger on the lowest string, and our ring and pinky on the two strings that follow.
Why are power chords so easy? ›
Power chords are rhythm guitarists' bread and butter. It's a type of chord that's made up of only two notes. You can play them using only two or three fingers. They're easy to play because you keep your fingers in the same position for every single chord.
Do power chords count as chords? ›
Theorists are divided on whether a power chord can be considered a chord in the traditional sense, with some requiring a 'chord' to contain a minimum of three degrees of the scale.
Are power chords actually chords? ›
Power chords aren't really chords per se because they contain only two notes, not the minimum of three notes that are technically required for a chord (the root, third and fifth). Power chords are structures that contain merely the root and the fifth. This is what they look like in their most basic form.
Do you strum all strings on power chords? ›
To strum a power chord, play only the two or three strings you're fretting. As a power chord contains no open strings, you'll have to mute any unused strings.
Are power chords easier than regular chords? ›
Power chords are easier to play than are their full-version counterparts and don't contain a major or minor quality to them, so they can stand in for either type of chord. Plus, they're loads of fun to play!
What is the easiest tuning for power chords? ›
Most classic rock stuff with power chords is in standard tuning. But other tunings are certainly viable. Drop D is commonly used in rock/metal (DADGBe) and that one lets you get super easy to finger power chords barring with one finger across low three strings. Very nice for fast “chugging” type things.
Should a beginner learn power chords? ›
Your Ultimate Power Chords Guide for Beginners!
But - learning them is useful in any music genre, many popular songs you know use them! Power chords are also fantastic to play if you encounter a barre chord that you don't know. They'll be easier to play & will extend your chord freedom.
What is the hardest chord to learn? ›
The six-string F chord is one of the hardest standard chord shape to play on the guitar. When many people try to play the F chord on guitar (and often succeed), it's with far too much struggle and effort than is actually necessary. Even extremely influential guitarists can have a hard time with barre chords.
How do you memorize power chords? ›
Practice Techniques for Memorizing Chords
Break down chords into smaller shapes or segments and practice them individually. Gradually merge these segments into the complete chord shape. Additionally, practice transitioning between chords in various progressions to improve muscle memory and fluidity.
The Major Major 7 chord (C, E, G, B) is pretty gnarly.
Why are barre chords so hard ukulele? ›
That's because it's so close to the nut of the ukulele. The tension in the strings is high and it's so much harder to fret the notes. When you are practising. I would like you to only play barre chords around the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th frets.
What is the most confusing chord? ›
The Slash Chord (G/B)
This is one of the more confusing chords because it LOOKS like two separate chords. But it's actually quite simple. Slash chords tell us two things. First, the main chord that we're going to play — that's the chord BEFORE the slash line.
Can a song be just chords? ›
As much attention as we've devoted to exotic chords, substitute chords, and chord progressions on this blog, I'd like to acknowledge one amazing truth: you can create an outstanding song with just one chord. In fact, some of the most famous songs from the past 50 years are one-chord songs.
What are power chords good for? ›
Power chords have been used in some of the most epic guitar riffs of all-time and can be heard in songs like "Iron Man" (Black Sabbath), "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" (Pat Benatar), "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (Nirvana) and many more.
What music uses power chords? ›
12 More Songs To Practice Power Chords
- Fly Away by Lenny Kravitz | Guitar Lesson.
- Sheena Is a Punk Rocker by Ramones | Guitar Lesson.
- Polly by Nirvana | Guitar Lesson. ...
- Rolling In The Deep by Adele | Guitar Lesson. ...
- American Idiot by Green Day | Guitar Lesson.
- Iron Man by Black Sabbath | Guitar Lesson.
What Are Power Chords? Power chords developed alongside the development of loud, distorted electric guitar amps. They are simple, 2 or 3 string chords that only consist of two notes as opposed to three or more different notes that full open or Barre chords possess.
