Punk guitar
Punk means three or four chords, a fast steady rhythm and maximum energy. Below are the chords, scale, techniques and a riff you can hear, slow down and practise.
1970s150–200 BPMpower chordsdownstrokes
What is punk
Punk appeared in the mid-1970s in New York and London as a reaction to long, complex rock pieces. Short songs, simple chords and a do-it-yourself attitude: you can form a band and play without being a virtuoso.
In punk the guitar is first of all rhythm: power chords played as eighth-note downstrokes at a high tempo, sometimes palm-muted. Solos are rare and short, and melodies are often played in octaves over the chords.
Signature chords
Almost all the harmony is power chords on the sixth, fifth and fourth strings. A typical move is E5, A5, D5, A5: degrees I, IV and ♭VII. The shape stays the same and only the string and fret change, so the changes are fast.
Scale for soloing
For melodies and the occasional solo the E minor pentatonic is enough. Below it is shown near the nut. The octave melody on this page uses its notes too.
Techniques
Downstrokes only
Eighth notes are played with downstrokes only - the sound is tighter and more aggressive than with alternate picking. At high tempos this takes stamina: keep your wrist loose and start slowly.
Moving power chords
The same shape moves along the neck - from the sixth string to the fifth and back. The fewer finger movements, the faster and cleaner the change. Tap the example to hear the move.
Octaves
A note on the fifth string and the same note two frets higher on the third. The middle string is muted by the finger lying on it. Octaves sound powerful and cut through the chords easily.
Riff in the style
Eight downstrokes on a palm-muted E5, then open A5, D5 and A5. At 170 BPM it is fast, so start at 60% and speed up once every hit sounds the same.
The examples use a clean tone. On records the guitar in this genre is usually distorted - add drive on your own amp or pedal.
Punk-style melody
A simple melody in octaves: E, G, A and back. Keep the octave shape still and move your whole hand along the neck.
The riff opens as a draft: change notes, tempo and tracks however you like.
Open in RiffonicWhat to listen to
Listen to these songs and pay attention to what is described next to each one.
- Ramones - “Blitzkrieg Bop”. Fast power chords played with downstrokes only - the formula of punk rhythm.
- Sex Pistols - “Anarchy in the U.K.”. A raw, pushy sound and simple chords: energy matters more than precision here.
- The Clash - “London Calling”. A medium tempo and choppy chords: punk does not have to be fast.
Every riff and solo on this page is an original exercise in the style of the genre, not the notes of someone else’s song.
FAQ
How many chords do you need to play punk?
Three or four power chords are enough to start: E5, A5, D5 and G5. Many classic punk songs are built on a set like that.
Why do punk players use only downstrokes?
Downstrokes sound tighter and more even, especially with distortion. Alternate picking is used too, but the typical punk sound comes from down-down-down.
What tempo is punk?
Usually 150–200 beats per minute, sometimes faster. Learn the riff slowly with a metronome: on this page you can slow the example down to 60 and 80%.