Strictly speaking, the fifth chord (aka power chord) is not really a chord, but an interval that consists of only two notes. These are the root (1) and the perfect fifth (5). By means of octavation, however, additional notes can be picked, so that the full sound of a chord is created.
Since the fifth chord lacks the third in comparison to the major or minor chord and has a very stable sound, it is perfectly suited for riffs with distortion, which has earned it the name power chord.
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Fifth Chord or Power Chord – What's That?
Strictly speaking, the fifth chord (aka power chord) is not really a chord, but an interval that consists of only two notes. These are the root (1) and the perfect fifth (5). By means of octavation, however, additional notes can be picked, so that the full sound of a chord is created.
Since the fifth chord lacks the third in comparison to the major or minor chord and has a very stable sound, it is perfectly suited for riffs with distortion, which has earned it the name power chord.