[jego]

can anybody explain to me how power octaves are used. travis and coldplay use them a lot and i've seen a lot of worship bands used them and it looks so easy but i'm kinda having a hard time playing them.

[BluesJunkie]

If I understand what you're asking, you can play octaves in a power chord type shape by playing the root note on the 5th or 6th string and then playing the octave two strings and two frets higher. You'll also need to mute the string between the root and octave.

Example: If your root note is F, you would play the 6th string 1st fret with your index finger and the 4th string 3rd fret with your 3rd finger while muting the 5th string with your index finger.

Or 5th string 8th fret and the 3rd string 10th fret while muting the 4th string.

[Ted Logan]

If you want to get really frustrated (and educated at the same time), check out Wes Montgomery. He was one of the greatest jazz guitarists in history, and he made extensive use of octaves in his solos. It's the same technique as what you're talking about, but to the nth degree.

[benj]

Mmmm, Wes Montgomery was such greatness. I second that recomndation. Glad to see his work is appreciated.

[Shredcheddar]

Octaves are definitely cool effects.. I use them alot when I play funk.. as well as 4ths, but anyways.. they add a certain something that sounds really cool. i like adding octaves in chords, too, depending on which chords i'm playing (obviously, barre chords and open chords have octaves in them already).

[jbm222]

yep. octaves are fun. sometimes when you're playing clean, it sounds better to pluck the octave rather than strumming with a muted string. other times you want the muted string for an extra percusive sound. Usually the plucking is done when you're playing sometime melow and just want a fuller sound when than you can get with single notes.