Welcome back to our continuing saga of the power chord and its uses. For a basic primer on power chords, take a look at our Power Chord Basics I lesson. In this lesson, we'll look at 3 techniques involving power chords:

1. Using right-hand palm muting with power chords
2. Mixing single notes with your power chords
3. Adding hammer-ons to your power chords

Note: This lesson assumes you are right-handed. If you are left-handed, simply substitute the words "left-hand" wherever you see "right-hand"

Right-Hand Palm Muting
"Palm Muting" is when you rest the fleshy part of your picking hand just above the bridge and simultaneously pick notes that are being muted by your hand. If you want the notes to ring just a little longer, move your hand slightly more toward the bridge. If you want more of a "thud", move your picking hand slightly more towards the neck.

Let's start by looking at a basic progression composed of power chords. For this type of rock or metal playing, it's common to use all downstrokes. Be sure to let the fleshy part of your right-hand mute the strings while you pick the chords. This type of technique has been employed by everyone ranging from Black Sabbath to the Cars to Judas Priest...