The Sound of Rock
Rock Fact: Master the power chord progressions that built rock music - From The Beatles to AC/DC
Power Chords
Classic Rock
Driving Rhythms
Iconic Progressions
Essential Rock Guitar Chords
These chords form the foundation of rock music.
Essential Rock Progressions
#1: I-V-vi-IV (Pop-Rock)
The most popular progression in rock music. Used in thousands of rock songs from the '60s to today. Perfect balance of tension and resolution.
🎸 Standard Tuning:
🎵 Famous Songs:
- "Let It Be" - The Beatles
- "Don't Stop Believin'" - Journey
- "With or Without You" - U2
- "Someone Like You" - Adele
💡 Tips:
- • Works with both open chords and power chords
- • Try different strumming patterns
- • Add palm muting for heavier sound
- • Practice smooth transitions between chords
#2: I-IV-V (Three Chord Rock)
The foundation of rock music. Simple but powerful, this progression appears in early rock 'n' roll, punk, and classic rock.
🎸 Standard Tuning:
🎵 Famous Songs:
- "Wild Thing" - The Troggs
- "Louie Louie" - The Kingsmen
- "Twist and Shout" - The Beatles
- "Gloria" - Them
💡 Tips:
- • Master these three chords and play hundreds of songs
- • Try different orders (V-IV-I is also common)
- • Use power chords for heavier sound
- • Practice with driving rock rhythm
#3: vi-IV-I-V (Emotional Rock)
Starting on the minor vi chord creates a more emotional, introspective feel. Popular in alternative rock and ballads.
🎸 Standard Tuning:
🎵 Famous Songs:
- "Zombie" - The Cranberries
- "Basket Case" - Green Day
- "When I Come Around" - Green Day
- "What's Up" - 4 Non Blondes
💡 Tips:
- • Creates immediate emotional impact
- • Great for verses in rock ballads
- • Try fingerpicking for softer sections
- • Build dynamics from quiet to loud
#4: I-bVII-IV (Classic Rock)
The bVII chord adds a modal flavor typical of classic rock. Creates a powerful, driving sound used by many rock legends.
🎸 Standard Tuning:
🎵 Famous Songs:
- "Born to Be Wild" - Steppenwolf
- "Sweet Child O' Mine" - Guns N' Roses
- "Free Bird" - Lynyrd Skynyrd
- "Highway to Hell" - AC/DC
💡 Tips:
- • The D major chord creates modal sound in E major
- • Common in Southern rock and hard rock
- • Use heavy distortion for authentic sound
- • Practice with palm muting
#5: i-bVII-bVI-bVII (Minor Rock)
All minor-key progression with a dark, heavy sound. Popular in hard rock, metal, and gothic rock styles.
🎸 Standard Tuning:
🎵 Famous Songs:
- "Stairway to Heaven" - Led Zeppelin
- "Losing My Religion" - R.E.M.
- "House of the Rising Sun" - The Animals
- "All Along the Watchtower" - Jimi Hendrix
💡 Tips:
- • Creates dark, mysterious atmosphere
- • Common in minor key rock songs
- • Try with both clean and distorted tones
- • Great for fingerpicking patterns
#6: I-V-IV-I (Rock Turnaround)
Simple 4-chord pattern that returns to the starting chord. Perfect for verses and creates a sense of completion.
🎸 Standard Tuning:
🎵 Famous Songs:
- "Good Riddance" - Green Day
- "Wonderwall" - Oasis
- "Mr. Brightside" - The Killers
- "Bad Moon Rising" - Creedence Clearwater Revival
💡 Tips:
- • Creates strong sense of resolution
- • Good for verses that return to chorus
- • Try different rhythmic feels
- • Works well with acoustic guitar
#7: Power Chord Riff in E
Classic power chord sequence focusing on the root and fifth. Foundation of hard rock and metal rhythm guitar.
🎸 Standard Tuning:
🎵 Famous Songs:
- "Smoke on the Water" - Deep Purple
- "Iron Man" - Black Sabbath
- "Wild Thing" - The Troggs
- "Blitzkrieg Bop" - Ramones
💡 Tips:
- • Use palm muting for tight, percussive sound
- • Keep power chords crisp and clean
- • Focus on rhythm and timing
- • Essential for hard rock and metal
#8: I-vi-IV-V (50s Progression)
Classic doo-wop progression from the 1950s that became foundational in rock music. Creates smooth harmonic movement.
🎸 Standard Tuning:
🎵 Famous Songs:
- "Stand By Me" - Ben E. King
- "Every Breath You Take" - The Police
- "Blue Moon" - The Marcels
- "Heart and Soul" - Hoagy Carmichael
💡 Tips:
- • Creates nostalgic, classic sound
- • Good for learning chord transitions
- • Try with swing or straight rhythm
- • Foundation for many early rock songs
#9: Descending Chromatic (Modal)
Sophisticated progression with descending chromatic bass line. Creates haunting, cinematic quality popular in progressive rock.
🎸 Standard Tuning:
🎵 Famous Songs:
- "Stairway to Heaven" - Led Zeppelin
- "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" - The Beatles
- "My Immortal" - Evanescence
- "Hurt" - Nine Inch Nails/Johnny Cash
💡 Tips:
- • Focus on the descending bass line
- • Creates dramatic, cinematic effect
- • Try with fingerpicking or arpeggios
- • Common in progressive and alternative rock
#10: Double Plagal (bVII-IV-I)
Two plagal cadences in sequence, creating a powerful, anthemic sound. Popular in arena rock and classic rock endings.
🎸 Standard Tuning:
🎵 Famous Songs:
- "Hey Jude" - The Beatles
- "Let It Be" - The Beatles
- "Free Fallin'" - Tom Petty
- "Sympathy for the Devil" - The Rolling Stones
💡 Tips:
- • Creates powerful, anthemic feeling
- • Great for song endings and climaxes
- • Try with big, open chords
- • Common in stadium rock
Essential Rock Guitar Techniques
🔇 Palm Muting
Rest palm edge on strings near bridge for tight, percussive sound.
Benefits:
- • Essential for heavy rhythm guitar
- • Creates chunk and definition
- • Perfect for power chord riffs
- • Control amount by palm pressure
Tips:
- • Practice with light touch first
- • Find the sweet spot near the bridge
- • Vary pressure for different tones
- • Combine with distortion for best effect
🎸 Power Chord Movement
Master moveable 2-note shapes to play in any key quickly.
Benefits:
- • Same shape, different frets
- • Learn fretboard note names
- • Practice smooth transitions
- • Essential for rock rhythm
Tips:
- • Start with E and A string roots
- • Memorize note positions
- • Practice chord changes slowly
- • Use minimal finger movement
🥁 Rock Rhythm Patterns
Strong beats 1 and 3 with driving, aggressive feel.
Benefits:
- • Down-up-down-up strumming
- • Accent beats 2 and 4
- • Match the drum patterns
- • Build energy throughout song
Tips:
- • Listen to the drums closely
- • Practice with a metronome
- • Start slow and build speed
- • Focus on consistency
Rock Music Styles
🎸 Classic Rock
Era: 1960s-1980s
Key Features: Blues-based, guitar solos
Common Progressions:
- • I-IV-V progressions dominant
- • Mix of major and minor keys
- • Guitar-driven arrangements
Key Artists:
Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Queen
⚡ Hard Rock/Metal
Era: 1970s-Present
Key Features: Heavy distortion, power chords
Common Progressions:
- • Power chord progressions
- • Minor keys and modal scales
- • Palm-muted rhythm sections
Key Artists:
Black Sabbath, Metallica, Iron Maiden
🎵 Alternative Rock
Era: 1980s-Present
Key Features: Diverse influences, emotional
Common Progressions:
- • vi-IV-I-V emotional progressions
- • Clean/distorted dynamics
- • Experimental chord choices
Key Artists:
Nirvana, Radiohead, Pearl Jam
🏃 Punk Rock
Era: 1970s-Present
Key Features: Fast, simple, aggressive
Common Progressions:
- • Simple I-IV-V progressions
- • Fast tempos and energy
- • Power chords exclusively
Key Artists:
Ramones, Sex Pistols, Green Day
Rock Guitar Practice Plan
📅 Week 1-2: Foundation
Timeframe: 2 weeks
Focus: Basic power chord shapes and simple progressions
Goals:
- 1. Learn basic power chord shapes (E5, A5, D5)
- 2. Practice I-IV-V progression in E major
- 3. Focus on clean chord changes
- 4. Use simple down-stroke rhythm
- 5. Play along with slow rock tracks
📅 Week 3-4: Rhythm
Timeframe: 2 weeks
Focus: Palm muting and rhythm patterns
Goals:
- 1. Add palm muting technique
- 2. Practice down-up strumming patterns
- 3. Learn I-V-vi-IV progression
- 4. Focus on rhythm accuracy
- 5. Play with rock backing tracks
📅 Month 2: Expansion
Timeframe: 4 weeks
Focus: Fretboard knowledge and effects
Goals:
- 1. Learn power chords across the fretboard
- 2. Practice in different keys (A, D, G)
- 3. Add distortion/overdrive effects
- 4. Learn complete rock songs
- 5. Experiment with different rhythms
📅 Month 3+: Advanced
Timeframe: Ongoing
Focus: Complex progressions and techniques
Goals:
- 1. Complex progressions (chromatic, modal)
- 2. Advanced rhythm techniques
- 3. Combine lead and rhythm playing
- 4. Study different rock subgenres
- 5. Write your own rock progressions
Ready to Play Rock?
Start with the essential chords and progressions above. Every rock legend began with these same basics.