C power chord (fifth) chord (C5) on piano
The C power chord (fifth) chord (C5) on piano has 2 notes: C and G (C, G). With the right hand, use fingers 1-5; with the left hand, 5-1 (1 is the thumb). On the keyboard below, the root (C) has the strongest color; each key shows the note name and the degree.
- Notes
- CG
- Formula
- 15
How to play C5 on piano
Root position · From low to high: C G
Right hand: 1-5 Left hand: 5-1
Fingers: 1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little finger. The small dot marks middle C (C4). Tap a key to hear the note.
C5 chord inversions
With only two notes (root and fifth), a power chord has no real inversions: inverted, it becomes a fourth. On piano, players usually double the root an octave higher.
Notes and intervals of C5
C5 (C power chord (fifth)) is built from 2 notes. Each one fills a degree of the chord:
- C · 1 · root
- G · 5 · perfect fifth
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.
Other C chords
- C
- Cm
- C7
- C7M
- Cm7
- Cm7(b5)
- C°
- C°7
- C+
- Csus2
- Csus4
- C7sus4
- C5
- Cadd9
- C6
- Cm6
- C9
- Cm(add9)
- Cm9
- C7M(9)
- Cm(7M)
- C7M(#5)
- C7(b9)
- C6(9)
- Cm6(9)
- C11
- Cm11
- C13
- Cm13
- C7(#9)
- C7(#11)
- C7(b13)
- C7(#5)
- C7M(#11)
- C9sus4
Power chord (fifth): other roots
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the C5 chord on piano?
C5 (C power chord (fifth)) has the notes C, G. The formula is 1 · 5: root, perfect fifth.
How do you play C5 on piano?
Find the C key and add the other notes above it: C, G. Play them all together. With the right hand, use fingers 1-5; with the left hand, 5-1.
What does C5 mean?
C5 is the chord symbol for C 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.
Is the C5 chord the same on piano and keyboard?
Yes. The notes and inversions are the same on any keyboard instrument: acoustic piano, digital piano, keyboard, organ or synthesizer.