# Power chords & palm mute

Root + fifth, no third: neither major nor minor, clean under distortion, one movable shape. Name it with [Notes on the neck](notes.md).

## The shape

Index on the root, ring finger two frets up on the next string; pinky adds the octave. G5 = string 6 fret 3.

## Root on string 6

E5 (0) · G5 (3) · A5 (5) · G5 (3)

## Root on string 5

A5 (0) · C5 (3) · D5 (5) · C5 (3). Mute string 6 with the index tip.

## Palm muting

Edge of the picking hand right at the bridge saddle; downstrokes, eighth notes, to the click.

## Mute, then let it ring

Six muted E5 chugs, then G5 and A5 ringing.

## A first riff

Chug E5 ×4 · G5 · A5 | chug E5 ×4 · G5 · D5 (root on string 5). Then [Backing band](/tools/backing.html?you=guitar) in E. Add the third to the shape and you are at [Barre](barre.md).

## Ready when

- Any two power chords on strings 6 and 5 change without a gap at 90 BPM.
- Muted eighths stay even and pitched.
- The riff runs twice with the click, muted and open notes clearly different.