Power chords are guitar chords played with just two notes, the root and the 5th. The 3rd is left out of power chords, and because of this the power chord has neither a major nor a minor sound.
Power chords are quite easy to learn – once you know one, you pretty much know them all! In addition to the D5 you’ll learn here, there are also G5, A5, and C5.
Playing the D5 Chord
Start the D power chord on the 5th fret by putting your 1st (index) finger on the 5th string. The only other thing to do is put your 3rd finger all the way on the 4th string of the 7th fret. (Your 2nd finger can take the day off.)
Strum only the 4th and 5th strings. It may help to mute the 6th string with your thumb to make sure it doesn’t ring out with the rest – just gently rest it on that thickest string so it stays nice and quiet.
Here’s what that D5 chord looks like for easy reference:
