Chords are the main tools in a rhythm guitarists tool belt. Traditionally, a chord is at least three different pitches played simultaneously.

A three note chord is called a triad and makes a chord in its most basic form.

There is an exception to this and it is called the power chord. A power chord consist of two notes…a root and a fifth. Power chords are very useful and popular in rock music of all kinds, but you will also find them across several other styles of music.

To begin our study of chords we must first learn about an even more basic building block of music…the interval.