Editing Power metal (section)

===Instrumentation===
{{Listen|filename=Helloween_halloween.ogg|title=Helloween - Halloween (sample)|description=A brief sample of the track ''Halloween'' from ''[[Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part I]]'', the second album of [[Helloween]], and one of the first albums to represent the European Power Metal style.}}
Power metal guitarists and bassists generally play rapid streams of notes,<ref name="DiVita"/> but change [[chord (music)|chords]] comparatively slowly, with a [[harmonic tempo]] of once per measure or slower. Fast and technically demanding guitar solos, however, are almost guaranteed.<ref name=Sharpe>{{Cite book|last1=Sharpe-Young|first1= Garry|author-link1= MusicMight|title= A–Z of Power Metal|series= Rockdetector Series|year= 2003|publisher= Cherry Red Books|isbn= 978-1-901447-13-2}}</ref> The slow changing of chords is significant in defining power metal just as the fast rapid chord changes often define traditional [[thrash metal]]. Power metal often makes use of Major chord progressions as well as circle progressions. Some of the most influential and acclaimed power metal guitarists are [[Kai Hansen]] of [[Gamma Ray (band)|Gamma Ray]], [[Michael Weikath]] of [[Helloween]], and [[Timo Tolkki]] formerly of Stratovarius. It is a common trait in power metal for the bass guitar to take a back seat, so to speak; often simply providing the chord root notes and being drowned out by the more prevalent rhythm guitars. However, some power metal bands incorporate bass that is more audible with colorful patterns distinct from the rhythm guitars, such as Helloween, [[Hibria]], and [[Symphony X]].

Many power metal drummers play double bass patterns with either two [[bass drum]]s, or utilize a [[double bass pedal]]; using them to play a constant stream of [[Sixteenth note|sixteenth notes (semiquavers)]] with snare drum accents on the beat, a style not restricted to, but most often associated with, power metal. The style was used by drummer [[Ingo Schwichtenberg]] of [[Helloween]], setting a blueprint for many other drummers to follow. Others, such as the drummers of [[Blind Guardian]] and [[Iced Earth]], use a more thrash metal style of drumming with rapid bursts of double bass that involve three to six beats with the double kick.

Power metal bands often incorporate keyboards into their musical arrangements,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Top 7 Mind-Blowing Metal Keyboard Solos |url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/top_7_mind-blowing_metal_keyboard_solos-115025 |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=www.ultimate-guitar.com |language=en}}</ref> something popularized by [[Jens Johansson]] of Stratovarius (though their prominence varies). Some power metal bands also record with symphonic elements, and as such, they utilize a full orchestra to fill the role usually played by the keyboardist.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blum |first=Jordan|date=2024-03-13 |title=The 10 Best Prog Metal Guitar + Keyboard Duos |url=https://loudwire.com/best-prog-metal-guitar-keyboard-duos/ |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=Loudwire |language=en}}</ref>