Editing Power chord (section)

===Spider chords===
[[Image:Spider chord on D.png|thumb|right|Spider chord on D and B{{music|b}} {{audio|Spider chord on D.mid|Play}}. The "web" of lines in the tab between each successive fret shows the fingering order (5-6-7-8 fingered 1-2-3-4 on strings 5-6-4-5).]]

The '''spider chord''' is a [[guitar technique]] popularized during the 1980s [[thrash metal]] scene. Regarded as being popularized and named by [[Dave Mustaine]] of [[Megadeth]], it is used to reduce [[string noise]] when playing (mostly [[diatonic and chromatic|chromatic]]) [[ostinato#Riff|riffs]] that require chords across several [[strings (music)|strings]]. The [[chord (music)|chord]] or technique is used in the songs "[[Wake Up Dead]]", "[[Holy Wars...The Punishment Due]]", and "[[Ride the Lightning]]".<ref name="Jam">[http://www.jamplay.com/video-help/answer-496.html "Video Question: Spider Chords"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100706230544/http://www.jamplay.com/video-help/answer-496.html |date=2010-07-06 }}, ''JamPlay.com''.</ref>

<pre>
   D5 Bb5
e|-------|
B|-------|
G|-------|
D|-7-----|
A|-5--8--|
E|----6--|
   3      <
   1  4   <--Spider chord fingering
      2   <
</pre>

As seen in the above [[tablature|tab]], the two power chords may be played in succession without [[shift (string technique)|shifting]], making it easier and quicker,<ref name="Jam"/> and thus avoiding string noise. The normal [[Fingering (music)#String instruments|fingering]] would be <math>_1^3</math> for both chords, requiring a simultaneous shift and [[string change]]. Note that the two power chords are a [[major third]] apart: if the first chord is the [[tonic (music)|tonic]] the second is the minor [[submediant]]. The spider chord fingering also allows access to a [[major seventh chord]] without the [[major third|third]]:<ref name="Jam"/>
<pre>
    AM7
e|------|
B|------|
G|------|
D|--6---|
A|--7---|
E|--5---|
    3
    4
    2
</pre>

The spider chord requires the player to use all four fingers of the fretting hand, thus its name. This technique then allows one to run down the [[neck (music)|neck]] playing either of the two chords.<ref name="Jam"/>