Can someone explain guitar chords to me?

[Streak2010]

I don't play guitar, I mostly mess around with my vsts while looking at the piano key display in my DAW. Studying midi files, as well as tabs which I've converted to MIDI format, I've noticed patterns amongst typical metal chords, like Rammstein.

One way is to have two notes, seperated by 7 semitones.

Another chord type seems to be three notes. The same note, but spread over two octaves, and the third note is 5 semitones below the highest note. I think this involves something called a "fifth"? I don't know music theory.

Can someone explain to me how this translates into music theory terms?

[JumpingJackFlash]

One way is to have two notes, seperated by 7 semitones.

Another chord type seems to be three notes. The same note, but spread over two octaves, and the third note is 5 semitones below the highest note. I think this involves something called a "fifth"? I don't know music theory.

Can someone explain to me how this translates into music theory terms?

Yes; in a chord, the main (first) note you are talking about is called the root. A note 7 semitones above this is called the fifth. - Notice that this would be the same note as a note 5 semitones below the root an octave higher.

Chords consisting of just roots and a fifth like this are called Power Chords.

[llatham]

And a word of caution - some VST guitar patches already play a root and 5th together so you press one key, and you get two (the root and the 5th) or three (the root, the 5th, and the octave) notes. If you play two notes on a patch like this you may not get the "Power Chord" you expect (though it can be a cool sound too).

[Streak2010]

One way is to have two notes, seperated by 7 semitones.

Another chord type seems to be three notes. The same note, but spread over two octaves, and the third note is 5 semitones below the highest note. I think this involves something called a "fifth"? I don't know music theory.

Can someone explain to me how this translates into music theory terms?

Yes; in a chord, the main (first) note you are talking about is called the root. A note 7 semitones above this is called the fifth. - Notice that this would be the same note as a note 5 semitones below the root an octave higher.

Chords consisting of just roots and a fifth like this are called Power Chords.

Aah, that makes sense.

And a word of caution - some VST guitar patches already play a root and 5th together so you press one key, and you get two (the root and the 5th) or three (the root, the 5th, and the octave) notes. If you play two notes on a patch like this you may not get the "Power Chord" you expect (though it can be a cool sound too).

Nah, I meant synth vsts, not guitar simulations, although I do know what you mean with vsts like Slayer 2 which have presets that play chords.

[RandolphCarter]

Power chords are very common in punk, metal and hardcore songs.