Music Theory...

Question

E5 Power Chord: The 5 is the 5th note or interval of both the major and Minor Scales? Are there other scales that would work?

Answer 1

A "power chord" is something made up by guitar players, it's not really a thing. What you are playing is the interval of a perfect 5th. Technically a "chord" would have more than two notes. Yes, the interval of a perfect 5th occurs naturally in many different scales/modes. But I think in a rock context you should think of it more like a shell voicing, with the middle note (the third, major or minor) missing.

Answer 2

Hello Todd! If speaking about the note leading to a new scale, whether major or minor key, you are correct. The E will lead to either A major or A minor chords. However, the E5 could be used as amen cadence, meaning go from E5 to B major. Also, the E5 can be cadenced into a minor vi chord. Hopefully I answered your question.