How to Play a Power Chords in Drop D

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Are you playing regular power chords on a drop-D tuned guitar? Does it sound wrong? If your guitar is in standard tuning, it should sound wrong because your 6th string is in E instead of D. Here are the steps on how you should play power chords when you're using a drop-D tuned guitar.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e2\/Play-a-Power-Chords-in-Drop-D-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Play-a-Power-Chords-in-Drop-D-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e2\/Play-a-Power-Chords-in-Drop-D-Step-1.jpg\/aid3508162-v4-728px-Play-a-Power-Chords-in-Drop-D-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Tune the sixth string of your guitar from E to D. You can do this by either using your ears or using a guitar tuner.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/df\/Play-a-Power-Chords-in-Drop-D-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Play-a-Power-Chords-in-Drop-D-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/df\/Play-a-Power-Chords-in-Drop-D-Step-2.jpg\/aid3508162-v4-728px-Play-a-Power-Chords-in-Drop-D-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    For you to understand their difference, you need to try this first. Lets try it with the G power chord.
    • Put your index finger on the 6th string (D, formerly E string) and 3rd fret.
    • Then put your ring finger on the 5th string (A string) and 5th fret.
    • and then finally, put your pinky finger on the 4th string (D string) and 5th fret.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/64\/Play-a-Power-Chords-in-Drop-D-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Play-a-Power-Chords-in-Drop-D-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/64\/Play-a-Power-Chords-in-Drop-D-Step-3.jpg\/aid3508162-v4-728px-Play-a-Power-Chords-in-Drop-D-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    We will now do the G power chord from the previous step, now in for drop D tuning.
    • Move your index finger 2 frets higher. Your finger on the 3rd fret from the 6th string (E string) will now move to the 5th fret.
    • You will notice that your fingers will look like they are forming a line. Instead of using your three fingers, use only your index finger. Place your finger flatly hitting the three notes
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/45\/Play-a-Power-Chords-in-Drop-D-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Play-a-Power-Chords-in-Drop-D-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/45\/Play-a-Power-Chords-in-Drop-D-Step-4.jpg\/aid3508162-v4-728px-Play-a-Power-Chords-in-Drop-D-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You now know how to play power chords in drop D tuning!
    5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I stop my fingers from hurting when I'm playing the guitar?
    Nicolas Adams
    Professional Guitarist
    Nicolas Adams is a 5th generation musician of Serbian Gypsy descent and the lead guitarist of the band Gypsy Tribe. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Nicolas specializes in Rumba Flamenco and Gypsy jazz and playing the guitar, Bouzouki, Balalaika, and piano.
    Nicolas Adams
    Professional Guitarist
    Expert Answer
    The technique is a big part of that. Holding the strings almost flat instead of at certain angles is a big part. It just takes time. Your fingers have to develop that callus over time. I recommend a nylon guitar or classical because it's much easier on the hand, especially when you're starting out. Also, hold the guitar neck gently. There's not a lot of pressure that has to be applied.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 0
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • Guitar tuned in drop D
      • Guitar pick (optional)

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Tune a Guitar to Drop D
      How to
      Play Guitar Chords
      How to
      Learn All the Notes on the Guitar
      How to
      Finger All Chords on Guitar
      How to
      Play Barre Chords on a Guitar
      How to
      Play an A Major Chord on the Guitar
      How to
      Play the C Major Chord on Guitar
      How to
      Write a Riff
      How to
      Play the D Chord for Guitar
      How to
      Play a Bm Chord on Guitar
      How to
      Play the F Chord on Guitar
      How to
      Solo over Chord Progressions
      How to
      Play the G Major Chord on Guitar
      How to
      Read Chord Diagrams
      Advertisement

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 46,355 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement