Bb5 Guitar Chord

Bb5 is the B flat power chord. It has two notes: B flat and F. There is no third, so it is neither major nor minor, and it takes two fingers where a full B flat chord needs a barre.

Root on the A string at the 1st 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 Bb5, step by step

Index finger: 1st fret, A string
Ring finger: 3rd fret, D string
Pinky finger: 3rd fret, G string
Strum only the A and D and G strings, and stop the downstroke at the G.

The same grip covers every root. This one starts at the 1st fret of the A string, so it is the lowest place on the neck the A string shape can go.

More ways to play Bb5

There are 5 common Bb5 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.

Bb5 guitar chord diagram, two strings, root on the a, played x13xxx — Two strings, root on the A

Bb5 guitar chord diagram, root on the low e, played 688xxx — Root on the low E

Bb5 guitar chord diagram, two strings, root on the low e, played 68xxxx — Two strings, root on the low E

Bb5 guitar chord diagram, root on the d string, played x x 8 10 11 x — Root on the D string

If it buzzes near the nut

The root buzzes at the 1st fret: Strings are tightest here. Press harder than you would higher up and keep the finger right behind the fret.
The low E rings: Mute it with the tip of the index or with the fretting thumb, or start the strum on the A string.
The top strings ring: Only three strings belong in the chord. Let the fingers rest against the B string and stop the strum at the G.

What makes it a Bb5

B♭ · F 1 5

Bb5 is B flat with its perfect fifth, F. The D of B flat major and the D flat of B flat minor are both left out.

Because the third is missing, the same shape works whether the song is in B flat major or B flat minor. It also stays clean through an overdriven amp, which is the reason power chords exist.

Bb5 vs Bb

Full B flat is a barre chord that most players avoid when they can. Bb5 keeps the root and the fifth, needs two fingers, and sounds heavier.

In quiet, strummed music the full chord is worth the effort. In riff based playing the power chord is not a compromise, it is the normal choice.

Bb5 chord questions

Is Bb5 the same as A#5?

Yes, the same two notes and the same shape. B flat is the more common spelling, so that is the name used here.

Can I play Bb5 without a barre?

Yes. Every shape on this page is two or three strings wide with no barre. That is the main practical reason to use a power chord instead of full B flat.

Is Bb5 major or minor?

Neither. There is no third in the chord to decide it.

Where else is Bb5 on the neck?

At the 6th fret of the low E string, and a smaller version on the D string at the 8th.

What chords go with Bb5?

Eb5 and F5 complete the key of B flat. In the key of F, Bb5 is the IV chord next to F5 and C5.