A Major Chord & A5 Power Chord

I guide you through learning the A major chord and the A5 power chord, two essential shapes for electric guitar. We'll look at:

• Finger placement options

• My advice on clean chord changes

• The A5 power chord perfect for rock and blues styles!

A Major Chord Variations:

• Traditional “3-in-a-line” shape can be cramped—especially on electric guitars

• Easier version: place the index finger between the other two for more space-efficient fingering

• Advanced option: barre with one finger across strings 2, 3, and 4 for quick transitions

Posture & Technique Tips:

• Sit upright with good back support

• Keep your elbow tucked in and fingers angled towards your strumming hand

• Aim for clean fretting near the fret wire for clarity

Chord Change Strategy:

• Practice sliding the index finger from A major to E major (and back)

• Focus on finger efficiency over perfect tone in early stages

• Work toward doing multiple finger movements simultaneously for speed

Power Chords for Rock Beginners:

• E5 and A5 power chords are easy and effective for rock sounds

• Only play the necessary strings (E5 = strings 6 & 5; A5 = strings 5 & 4)

• Great for high-gain distortion tones with muting and strumming control

Muting & Tone Control:

• Use palm muting with your strumming hand for clean stops

• Gain and distortion affect tone—more overdrive demands more muting precision

• Control your volume and crunch settings for different rock tones

Fun Mnemonic for String Names:

• “Elephants And Donkeys Grow Big Ears” to remember E-A-D-G-B-E

Encouragement:

• You don’t need perfect form immediately—experiment with shapes that suit your hand

• Even just two chords (E5 & A5) can get you started playing fantastic songs