How to Play Power Chords (Beginner Guitar Lesson)

In this beginner guitar lesson I explain what power chords are, how to play them, and how to make them sound awesome through using muting techniques!

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At the start of the video I cover some music theory about what power chords are and how they are composed, but if you just want to get straight to playing them that is totally fine and you can just memorize the shapes and come back to the theory behind them later if it ever interests you! Just wanted to give some background information on where these chords come from so it doesn't seem mysterious :)

[citylife]

I'm envious of your skills. I mean smiling for 14 minutes straight, are you kidding me?

[illuminatiCorgi]

So I've been playing for 14 years, and I recently started putting A LOT more effort in my playing. Going from practicing 1-2 times a week to almost everyday, and It's all because I saw your progress video and realised that I had been half assing it all these years, and that my playing wasn't even as good as yours after all these years.

So. Just want to say thanks for the motivation 😐🤘🔥

[cheesy-pj]

Rachel, I really like that you don't have an annoying intro like all the others. Straight to the point :-)

[FirestarHart]

There's something to be proud of when you've progressed so far in your own journey that you can start helping people on theirs. It's very awesome to see.

Your progress Rachel has been incredibly cool and I can honestly thank you for helping keep me motivated in my musical practices and invested in keeping my ears open to what I listen to. 🙂

[BitcoinAndChess]

This was fantastic. You should do more of these instructional videos, breaking down specific elements of guitar-playing. You really know how to get a point across clearly and quickly. Great stuff!

[kingofmemes]

I'd love to see this become a playlist, very helpful!

[jeemalsoknownasjimhawkins]

Rachelf: This is the best, and clearest, lesson on Power Chords that I have ever seen. Thanks so much for posting this! And by the way, I am going to order more of your T-Shirts (newer version) because I have given away all the other ones I had to various friends. Cheers!

[pouredkisses]

i already knew how to play power chords but i wanted to watch it because i enjoy your videos so much :))

[khushalkhans]

MORE OF THESE PLEASE!!! I am a beginner and this video was so helpful! I've seen others explain them in videos but it's great to see a younger persons perspective ( not that i'm saying others explaining power chords are bad it's just hard to get for me)

[superrookie-]

this lesson is the best I have seen about power chords

[ChessemillPerezChristopher]

my mind see's what you are saying - my fingers on the other hand, pardon the pun, have a mind of it's own. Your instructions are so point on. Which is one of the reasons I will never give in. I have been playing for little over a month, so you can just imagine the inner struggle going on. I practice everyday, a little some days, whole lesson on other days. It seems so complicated . But again, I turn to you and I am encouraged to grind on...just wanted to give you a shout out, and thanks...

[rossboyle]

Watching you play and teach with your genuine smile reminds of Dwight Yoakam’s axe man Eugene Edwards. He smiles all the time like he is sooo in love with what he does. I am a 63 year old retired UPS driver that decided it was time that I learn to play guitar. YouTube and Pinot Noir (red wine) have become my mentors! 😂 Once I stumbled on to your site I have found that learning is a bit more enjoyable. You are straight forward and understanding when it comes to the struggles. At 63 getting your fingers, hand and wrist to move the way that it needs to is a chore. Your power chord lesson along with Sean Daniel’s 1 finger cord lesson has inspired me enough to move forward. Thank you for taking the time to help an older person learn! R...

[colinharrison]

Thank you young lady, at the age of 67 I have just started to learn guitar and you have inspired me so much I will do it ! thank you again :)

[absolutetuber]

I can’t get my dang middle finger to relax down. I immediately begin flipping everyone off when I start playing these power chords lol

[Savage__]

I wish I could pay u to be my personal teacher in person. You're so awesome and sweet and always keeping that beautiful smile! We need more people like you in this world.

[natalieac]

I’m so happy to see that there’s a girl giving guitar lesson, I’m feeling so represented 😱💕 Shout out sis! 🙌🏻

[gorb]

I love how she smiles in every lesson. It just shows she has an great passion for music

[mr.gigily]

First of all thank you for putting out this simple and to the point video on playing guitar. I've learned more watching this 14 min video than I have watching other half ass instructors on YT over the last three years.. Please make more of these.

[ozzmannsanchez]

I had to discover all this h metal technics 30 years ago all by my self...in a small city in Mexico...it was a challenge...but it was funny

[soul]

If only my depression medication was like hers...