The power chord fingering in the app is different than what was taught in the lesson. The app has different finger placements for the A5, B5, D5, E5. Instead of using the root notes and the 6th and 5th string it is using open strings for the root notes. This means they are played on the 2nd fret. Should they be played the way it was taught or the way the app has them?
Hi Lee @leehuber, welcome to the community! I don’t have the app, but am trying to see in my mind’s eye what you describe. I’ll assume you’re talking about three-string power chords. Let’s focus on the Root 6 shape, played on strings 6, 5, and 4. This shape is movable on the neck. (This will still apply for the 2-string versions, just ignore string 4.)
As you know, power chords are formed with the root and 5th of the chord. For the Root 6 shape, the root is on string 6. So to play G5, you would put your first finger on string 6 fret 3 - let’s write this as 6:3 (G), second finger on 5:5 (D), third finger on 4:5 (G). Move everything back 2 frets - that is, first finger on 6:1 (F), second finger on 5:3 (C), third finger on 4:3 (F), and you’re playing F5. Now, what happens if you move back one more fret? Well, the nut is taking the place of finger 1 on string 6 (open E), and finger 3 is on 5:2 (B) and finger 4 on 4:2 (E).
Does that close the gap with what you’re seeing on the app? For the Root 5 shape, simply move everything over one string (5, 4, 3) - the root will be on string 5 - and the same logic applies.
Hope that helps! If not, hopefully someone who has the app can come along and clarify. And if you have more questions, let us know!
Finally…if you’re up for it, consider introducing yourself to the community over here. 
Wow, thanks for the awesome explanation Judi!! I guess where my confusion is coming from is E5 in the lesson was 5:7, 4:9, 3:9. I just assumed that we would also be using those in the app. It was by accident that I discovered that I was supposed to be playing those higher on the neck. The B5 and D5 are no longer root 6 or 5 chords correct?
Maybe I need to re-watch the lesson for the third time and see if I missed something.
So looking at TAB, or the beginner songbook, how do you know where on the neck are you playing the power chords from?
Thanks again for the reply. Much appreciated.
I’m glad that was useful! So, B5 can be played with the Root 6 shape - the B root is on 6:7. D5 can be played with the Root 5 shape - the D root is on 5:5. If you haven’t see it, spend some time with the notes on the website for this lesson, located under the blue section with the video. There’s a ton of good info there…it took me a while to digest it all. I frequently review notes for many lessons! I also think that will lead you to the answer to your last question about where on the neck to play the chords. If you still have questions after having a look, you know where to ask. 
Just to add to @judi 's explanation: the 2 “standard” power chord grips are (as Judi notes) based on fretting the root note on the 6th or 5th string. So, a G power chord could be played 355xxx and a C power chord could be played x355xx (btw, this notation for chord grips is easier and more common than 6:3, 5:5, etc.). These shapes can be moved anywhere on the neck and you can use them to play any power chord.
Additionally, there are special power chords that use an open string. You can play an E power chord using the open 6th string as the root note: 022xxx. The A can be played with the open A string: x022xx, and the D like this: xx023x. These shapes cannot be moved, since they use open strings.
BTW, any of these chords can be played with 2 strings, instead of 3. So, for example, 35xxxx, x35xxx or 02xxxx.
I understood the 6th and 5th string power chords from the lesson. My confusion came in when, in the app, the songs listed for Module 12 all used open power chords for the E, A, B, and D chords. Nothing in the lesson said anything about open power chords being a thing.
On a side note, I have only been using the app for the songs and doing the lessons on the website. I am going to drop the app and start leaning songs another way. Either the beginner songbook or TABS. Almost every song that Justin mentions in his lesson are no longer in the app. I also am not really memorizing the songs since I don’t have to using the app.
E power chord
open position → closed position
The closed position grip raises the pitch of the notes one octave higher in this case.
A power chord
open position → closed position
The open and closed positions have the same pitches (not an octave higher). Their tonal quality (timbre) is a little different.
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Lee, I might have inferred this above, but I’ve found watching the lessons on Justin’s website is the best way to learn. I’ve supplemented that with a couple of Justin’s books, and I do subscribe to his TABS, but the recorded lessons with the attendant notes are just fabulous. And free! I did use the app for two years, and found it very helpful. But as you point out, licensing issues cause many songs to disappear unexpectedly. Such a shame, but nothing Justin can control.
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Okay, just when I think I have it figured out, Richard has to throw me a curve ball. LOL I get that the different positions are different octaves until you showed me the A. My mind is blown. My head is spinning like Linda Blair’s in the movie The Exorcist. lol
Thanks Judi. One question about the Justin TABS…does it have the same problem as the app in that songs that are in his lessons are no longer in TABS?
I haven’t checked every song in the tab subscription but I think they fall under a different licensing agreement so if a tab gets pulled so does the lesson. The only thing I’ve found with the Tabs is some aren’t exactly the same as Justin’s lesson.
The licensing agreement for the App is with Musopia and the licensing agreement for the tabs is with JustinGuitar.
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Categorically no.
If a lesson is on the website then it has chord & lyric charts and tabs.
A very few do not have the tabs yet. And some have publisher issued tabs which may vary a little from Justin’s transcription and teaching.
Finding these and fixing them is a job being done behind the scenes.
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Re: octaves of power chords.
A5 as a root 6 power chord at fret 5 is where the fun begins.
That note A is exactly the same note as the open A string.
A 5 fret distance gives the same note on E and A strings.
The root 6 power chord at fret 6 is the same as the root 5 power chord at fret 1. Both are Bb5.
Go up to a root 6 power chord at fret 12 and it is the same as the root 5 power chord at fret 7. Both are E5.
The same note(s) on a guitar can be played on different strings at different frets.
Apart the the 6th string fret 4 and lower and the 1st string fret 18 and higher (on a 22 fret guitar).
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Thanks Richard. You do an awesome job on these forums with your quick and informative posts. I so appreciate it.
I am so envious of all that have mastered this instrument. I have learned so much in this short time and I have obviously just scratched the surface.
Thanks to all who replied to my post. You make this the great community that it is.
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