A5 Guitar Chord

A5 is the A power chord. It has two notes: A and E. There is no third, so it is neither A major nor A minor, and the open shape starts on the open A string.

Open A string as the root, the fifth on the D string and the root again on the G. Two fingers at the 2nd fret, three strings sounding.

How to play A5, step by step

Index finger: 2nd fret, D string
Ring finger: 2nd fret, G string
Leave the A string open. Strum only the A and D and G strings, and stop the downstroke at the G.

Once this shape is comfortable, learn it as the movable grip: the same fingering at the 5th fret of the low E is also A5, an octave lower.

More ways to play A5

There are 5 common A5 shapes in total: the standard one at the top of the page, plus these, easiest first. You only ever need one. Tap any card to hear it.

A5 guitar chord diagram, easier, 1 finger, played x02xxx — Easier, 1 finger

A5 guitar chord diagram, root on the low e, played 577xxx — Root on the low E

A5 guitar chord diagram, two strings, root on the low e, played 57xxxx — Two strings, root on the low E

A5 guitar chord diagram, root on the d string, played x x 7 9 10 x — Root on the D string

If unwanted strings sound

The B and high E ring: A5 uses three strings only. Let the fretting fingers lie flat enough to deaden the strings above, and stop the strum at the G.
The low E sounds: It is not part of the chord and it sits below the root, which makes the chord vague. Rest the fretting thumb against it or start the strum at the A.
The two fretted notes are uneven: Both sit at the 2nd fret, on the D and G strings. Press with the fingertips and keep them upright so neither one flattens onto its neighbour.

What makes it an A5

A · E 1 5

A5 is the root A plus its perfect fifth, E, seven half steps up. The third, C sharp in A major or C in A minor, is left out entirely.

Leaving out the third is what makes the chord usable at high gain and what makes it neutral: A5 works in a major key and a minor key without changing a note.

A5 vs A

A major has three notes across five strings and sounds bright and complete. A5 has two notes on three strings and sounds heavier and less specific.

For strummed songs the full A chord almost always sounds better. For riffs, palm muting and anything distorted, A5 is the chord that actually gets played.

A5 chord questions

Is A5 the same as A?

No. A major has three notes including the C sharp that makes it major. A5 has only A and E, so it is neither major nor minor.

Can I play A5 with one finger?

Yes. The open A string plus the 2nd fret of the D string is a complete A5 and needs one finger.

Where else is A5 on the neck?

At the 5th fret of the low E string, using the movable three string grip. That version sounds lower and is the one riffs usually use.

Which strings do I strum?

The A, D and G strings. Leave the low E out so A stays the lowest note, and stop the strum before the B string.

What chords go with A5?

D5 and E5, the other two power chords in the key of A. That group of three covers a large part of rock and blues rhythm playing.