  We demonstrate a new method of variability classification using observations
of black hole X-ray binaries. Using `power colours' -- ratios of integrated
power in different Fourier frequency bands -- we can clearly differentiate
different canonical black hole states as the objects evolve during outburst. We
analyse (~ 2400) Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer observations of 12 transient low
mass black hole X-ray binaries and find that the path taken around the power
colour-colour diagram as the sources evolve is highly consistent from object to
object. We discuss how the consistency observed in the power colour-colour
diagram between different objects allows for easy state classification based on
only a few observations, and show how the power-spectral shapes can be simply
classified using a single parameter, the power-spectral `hue'. To illustrate
the benefits of our simple model-independent approach, we show that the
persistent high mass X-ray binary Cyg X-1 shows very similar power-spectral
evolution to the transient black hole sources, with the main difference being
caused by a combination of a lack of quasi-periodic oscillations and an excess
of low-frequency power-law noise in the Cyg X-1 power spectra during the
transitional state. We also compare the transient objects to the neutron star
atoll source Aquila X-1, demonstrating that it traces a different path in the
power colour-colour plot. Thus, power-colours could be an effective method to
classify newly discovered X-ray binaries.
