Need help playing the 5 chords on guitar (E5, D5, etc)?

Question

I have been playing guitar for about 8 months. A few rock songs that I'd like to play have the 5 chords: C5, D5, E5. But when I'm just sitting at home trying to play these chords I think they sound terrible. I can understand if I was playing with a band they would sound fuller, but when the progression is working from C to Dm and other fuller sounding chords and then I get to C5, D5, Bb5, I just think they sound terrible.

How can I substitute other chords for those 5 chords? Playing a C instead of a C5 just doesn't sound quite right but I want to find something that will fit better. I'm playing on an acoustic guitar with no amplifier. Thanks!!

Answer 1

Power chords ('5 chords') were originally intended for very distorted electric guitars. This is because the 3rd degree of a chord tends to make it sound very mushy and confused under distortion, so they took it out, leaving a power chord. The power chord isn't really a chord at all, instead just an interval of a perfect fifth (ie a standard chord with the 3rd removed).

There is no real answer to your question-try substituting in the chords you have suggested, and play around with different types, such as sus2 or sus4, or any other you can think of.

If you still aren't happy, buy an electric guitar ;)

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Having checked my guitar handbook, power chords are just the root note of the chord plus the fifth note only.For example, C5 is 5th string, 3rd fret( C) first finger; 4th string, 5th fret (G) third finger; 3rd string, 5th fret (C) fourth finger. All other strings are not played. Best of luck!

Answer 3

if your playing acoustic just use the full barr chords

Answer 4

you know what i don't know a lot about guitars but all i could say to you is that if you put your heart and mind to it you will succeed!

Answer 5

well id say just find what ever sounds right to you. however if you really want to know than http://www.all-guitar-chords.com/