C5 Guitar Chord

C5 is the C power chord. It has two notes: C and G. There is no third, so it is neither C major nor C minor. The usual shape puts the root on the A string at the 3rd fret.

Root on the A string at the 3rd 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 C5, step by step

Index finger: 3rd fret, A string
Ring finger: 5th fret, D string
Pinky finger: 5th fret, G string
Strum only the A and D and G strings, and stop the downstroke at the G.

The same two fingers cover every power chord. From here, two frets up is D5 and two frets down is B flat 5.

More ways to play C5

There are 4 common C5 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.

C5 guitar chord diagram, two strings, root on the a, played x35xxx — Two strings, root on the A

C5 guitar chord diagram, root on the low e, played 8 10 10 x x x — Root on the low E

C5 guitar chord diagram, two strings, root on the low e, played 8 10 x x x x — Two strings, root on the low E

If unwanted strings sound

The low E rings: It sits below the root and makes the chord sound like something else. Mute it with the tip of the index finger or with the fretting thumb.
The top strings ring: C5 is three strings wide. Let the fingers lean on the B string to deaden it and stop the strum at the G.
The stretch feels tight: The index is at the 3rd fret and the other fingers at the 5th. Keep the thumb behind the middle of the neck so the hand can open rather than twist.

What makes it a C5

C · G 1 5

C5 is C with its perfect fifth, G, and nothing else. The E of C major and the E flat of C minor are both left out.

A power chord is written with a 5 because the fifth is the only interval in it. Take away the third and the chord loses its major or minor identity, but gains the ability to be played loud and distorted without turning to mud.

C5 vs C

C major is a five string open chord with a warm, complete sound. C5 has two notes on three strings and sounds harder and more anonymous, which is exactly what a riff wants.

C major also has one drawback that C5 does not: it cannot move. The power chord shape slides to any root without changing the fingers.

C5 chord questions

Is C5 the same as C?

No. C major contains an E, the note that makes it major. C5 contains only C and G.

Where is C5 on the neck?

The common position is the 3rd fret of the A string. It is also at the 8th fret of the low E string, which sounds lower and heavier.

Is C5 easier than C?

Two fingers instead of three, and no need for accuracy on five strings, so most players find it easier. The harder part is muting the strings you are not using.

What chords go with C5?

F5 and G5 complete the key of C. C5, F5 and G5 with a palm mute is a whole rhythm part.

Why does a power chord have no third?

Because the third is what clashes under heavy distortion. Removing it leaves an interval that stays clean at any gain, and leaves the chord free to sit in a major or minor key.