F Power Chords Guitar Players Should Know

For every power chord I’ll cover the notes that make up that chord and the chord shape. Also, if you know the notes on the guitar fretboard, you’ll be able to use the chord notes to come up with your own variations of these power chords.

Power chords are commonly used in rock guitar playing. They are often played on electric guitar with distortion. But they can also be used effectively on an electric guitar with a clean sound, or even an acoustic guitar. They can be found in songs by many famous bands including Metallica, Def Leppard, AC/DC, Blink 182, and The Rolling Stones. 

I recommend mastering the chord shapes in this post by using them when learning songs, or applying them in your songwriting!

F Power Chord (1st fret)

This F Power chord, played from the 1st fret, has these notes: F, C, F

Do not play any of the open strings.

Here is how this F Power chord is played:

This is the quintessential power chord shape on guitar.

Note, this chord shape does not include F Minor third (Ab) or Major third (A) notes. Therefore it is not technically a F Major or F Minor power chord. It can be considered either!

F Power Chord (8th fret)

This F Power chord, played from the 8th fret, has these notes: F, C, F

Do not play any of the open strings.

Here is how this F Power chord is played:

This is the quintessential power chord shape on guitar.

Note, this chord shape does not include F Minor third (Ab) or Major third (A) notes. Therefore it is not technically a F Major or F Minor power chord. It can be considered either!

F Major Power Chord (10th fret)

This F Major power chord, played from the 10th fret, has these notes: F, A, C

Do not play any open strings.

Here is how this F Major power chord is played:

Because this chord shape includes the A note (Major 3rd), it is considered a F Major power chord.

F Minor Power Chord (10th fret)

This F Minor power chord, played from the 4th fret, has these notes: F, Ab, C

Do not play any open strings.

Here is how this F Minor power chord is played:

Because this chord shape includes the Ab note (Minor 3rd), it is considered a F Minor power chord.

F Major Power Chord (5th fret)

This F Major power chord, played from the 5th fret, has these notes: F, A, C

Do not play any of the open strings.

Here is how this F Major power chord is played:

Because this chord shape includes the A note (Major 3rd), it is considered a F Major power chord.

F Minor Power Chord (5th fret)

This F Minor power chord, played from the 5th fret, has these notes: F, Ab, C

Do not play any of the open strings. 

Here is how this F Minor power chord is played:

Because this chord shape includes the Ab note (Minor 3rd), it is considered a F Minor power chord.

Further reading