E power chord (fifth) (E5) chord on guitar
- Notes
- EB
- Formula
- 15
How to play E5 on guitar
-
Shape 1 · 1st position
-
Shape 2 · fret 2
-
Shape 3 · fret 7
-
Shape 4 · fret 5
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Shape 5 · fret 9
Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 pinky. x = do not play the string, o = open string. The coloured dot is the root (E). The same shapes work on acoustic, classical and electric guitar.
About the power chord (fifth) chord
The power chord has only a root and a fifth, with no third, so it is neither major nor minor. With distortion it sounds full and clean (a third would turn the sound muddy), which is why it is the foundation of rock, punk and metal; the same shape slides up and down the whole neck.
Notes and intervals of E5
E5 (E power chord (fifth)) is built from 2 notes. Each one fills a degree of the chord:
- E · 1 · root
- B · 5 · perfect fifth
Other E chords
- E
- Em
- E7
- E7M
- Em7
- Em7(b5)
- E°
- E°7
- E+
- Esus2
- Esus4
- E7sus4
- E5
- Eadd9
- E6
- Em6
- E9
- Em(add9)
- Em9
- E7M(9)
- Em(7M)
- E7M(#5)
- E7(b9)
- E6(9)
- Em6(9)
- E11
- Em11
- E13
- Em13
- E7(#9)
- E7(#11)
- E7(b13)
- E7(#5)
- E7M(#11)
- E9sus4
Power chord (fifth): other roots
Frequently asked questions
How do you play the E5 chord on guitar?
E5 (E power chord (fifth)) has 5 fingerings on this page, from easiest to hardest. Each diagram shows the fingers, the open strings (o) and the strings you do not play (x), and you can hear every shape.
What notes are in E5?
The notes of E5 are E, B. The formula is 1 · 5: root, perfect fifth.
What does E5 mean?
E5 is the chord symbol for E power chord (fifth). The power chord has only a root and a fifth, with no third, so it is neither major nor minor. With distortion it sounds full and clean (a third would turn the sound muddy), which is why it is the foundation of rock, punk and metal; the same shape slides up and down the whole neck.
Can I play E5 on other instruments?
Yes. E5 also has a page on ukulele, on cavaquinho, with the fingerings for each instrument.