C5 chord (C power chord) on guitar
C5 (C power chord) has two notes: C and G. Its formula is 1, 5.
C5 chord shapes
Fingers: 1 on B, 3 on e.
Fingers: 1 on A, 3 on D, 4 on G.
Fingers: 1 on A, 3 on D.
Fingers: 3 on A, 1 on B.
Fingers: 1 on G, 4 on B.
Fingers: 1 on E, 3 on A, 4 on D.
Hear it and see every shape in ScaleSpace →
| Symbol | C5 |
|---|---|
| Also written | C(no3) |
| Notes | C G |
| Formula | 1 5 |
| Intervals | root, perfect fifth |
| Type | Power chord chord |
C5 across the neck
Guitar · 6-string, tuned low to high: E, A, D, G, B, e. 24 frets.
- E string: fret 3 G (5), fret 8 C (1), fret 15 G (5), fret 20 C (1).
- A string: fret 3 C (1), fret 10 G (5), fret 15 C (1), fret 22 G (5).
- D string: fret 5 G (5), fret 10 C (1), fret 17 G (5), fret 22 C (1).
- G string: fret 0 G (5), fret 5 C (1), fret 12 G (5), fret 17 C (1), fret 24 G (5).
- B string: fret 1 C (1), fret 8 G (5), fret 13 C (1), fret 20 G (5).
- e string: fret 3 G (5), fret 8 C (1), fret 15 G (5), fret 20 C (1).
Swipe the chart sideways to see all of it.
Questions
What notes are in the C5 chord?
C5 (C power chord) has two notes: C and G. Its formula is 1, 5. C is the root and G is the perfect fifth.
How do you play C5 on guitar?
The easiest shape is xxxx13. Fingers: 1 on B, 3 on e.
Is C5 major or minor?
Neither. C5 is only the root and the 5th, C and G, with no 3rd, so it fits under both C and Cm. That is why it sounds clean with distortion.