C Power Chord Guitar Chord — Open D
Guitar chord voicings in Open D tuning (D-A-D-F#-A-D)
C Power Chord Voicings in Open D
C Power Chord filtered by fret:
C Power Chord in Open D Tuning — Guide
The C Power Chord chord is made up of the following notes: C, G.
Intervals: 1P, 5P.
The C Power Chord chord in Open D tuning (D-A-D-F#-A-D) requires different fingerings than standard tuning.
C Power Chord is built from just the root and the perfect fifth, omitting the third entirely. This two-note structure — C, G with intervals 1P, 5P — is neither major nor minor, giving it a raw, ambiguous power. Its open, hollow sound became the backbone of punk, grunge, and heavy metal, where distortion turns this simple interval into a massive wall of sound. Power chords thrive on aggression and simplicity.
How to Play C Power Chord
On guitar, C 5 typically requires a barre or partial barre voicing. Experiment with different positions to find the voicing that best suits your playing context — higher positions sound brighter and tighter, while lower positions offer more bass and resonance. CAGED system shapes help navigate these options efficiently.
C Power Chord in Progressions
C 5 appears in various harmonic contexts depending on the key. Analyze the surrounding chords to determine its function — it may serve as a primary chord, a substitution, or a chromatic color chord that enriches the harmonic palette of a progression.
Common Substitutions
C major, C minor, or Csus4 all expand on the power chord's neutral foundation.
Difficulty: Power chords are beginner-friendly on guitar — just two or three strings and a movable shape you can slide anywhere.