B5 Guitar Chord

B5 is the B power chord. It has two notes: B and F sharp. There is no third, so it is neither B major nor B minor, and it takes two fingers where full B major needs a barre.

Root on the A string at the 2nd fret, the fifth on the D above it and the root again on the G. Movable: slide this grip anywhere and it is still a power chord.

How to play B5, step by step

Index finger: 2nd fret, A string
Ring finger: 4th fret, D string
Pinky finger: 4th fret, G string
Strum only the A and D and G strings, and stop the downstroke at the G.

In the key of E, this is the V chord. Learning B5 gives you a usable B long before the barre chord is ready.

More ways to play B5

There are 5 common B5 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.

B5 guitar chord diagram, two strings, root on the a, played x24xxx — Two strings, root on the A

B5 guitar chord diagram, root on the low e, played 799xxx — Root on the low E

B5 guitar chord diagram, two strings, root on the low e, played 79xxxx — Two strings, root on the low E

B5 guitar chord diagram, root on the d string, played x x 9 11 12 x — Root on the D string

If the chord is unclear

The low E sounds: It is below the root and blurs the chord. Mute it with the index fingertip or let the thumb rest against it.
The top strings ring: This is a three string chord. Lean the fingers onto the B string to deaden it and stop the strum at the G.
The notes are uneven: The index takes the 2nd fret of the A string and two fingers take the 4th. Check each one rings on its own before strumming them together.

What makes it a B5

B · F♯ 1 5

B5 is B with its perfect fifth, F sharp. Neither the D sharp of B major nor the D of B minor is present.

For a guitarist that absence is useful twice over. It keeps the chord clean under distortion, and it removes the note that makes B major such an awkward shape to hold.

B5 vs B

B major needs a barre across five strings and defeats a lot of players. B5 needs two fingers and three strings, and in a rock context it is the chord that actually gets used.

The trade off is colour. B major states its key clearly, B5 does not, so in a folk or pop arrangement the barre chord is still worth learning.

B5 chord questions

Is B5 easier than B major?

Much easier. B5 is two fingers on three strings with no barre. It is the usual way around the B chord for anyone playing rock or blues.

Is B5 major or minor?

Neither. Only the root and the fifth are present, and the third is what would decide.

Where is B5 on the neck?

The 2nd fret of the A string is the usual spot. The same chord is also at the 7th fret of the low E string, which sounds heavier.

How is B5 used in blues?

In a blues in E, B is the V chord. Rhythm players often alternate B5 with B6 on the bottom strings, which is the shuffle pattern behind the whole style.

What chords go with B5?

E5 and F sharp 5 complete the key of B. In the key of E, B5 sits next to E5 and A5.