Strictly speaking, fifth chords (aka power chords) are not chords, but intervals that consist 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 fifth chords lack the third in comparison to major or minor chords and have a very stable sound, they are perfectly suited for riffs with distortion, which has earned them the name power chord.
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Fifth chords or power chords – what are they?
Strictly speaking, fifth chords (aka power chords) are not chords, but intervals that consist 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 fifth chords lack the third in comparison to major or minor chords and have a very stable sound, they are perfectly suited for riffs with distortion, which has earned them the name power chord.