D5 Guitar Chord

D5 is the D power chord. It has two notes: D and A. The third is missing, so it is neither D major nor D minor, and the open shape sits on the middle strings.

Open D string as the root, the fifth on the G string, and the root again on the B. Note the octave sits three frets up on the B string, not two.

How to play D5, step by step

Index finger: 2nd fret, G string
Ring finger: 3rd fret, B string
Leave the D string open. Strum only the D and G and B strings, and stop the downstroke at the B.

Because this shape sits in the middle of the neck, both hands have to mute: the fretting hand covers the strings above, the palm covers the two below.

More ways to play D5

There are 4 common D5 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.

D5 guitar chord diagram, easier, 1 finger, played xx02xx — Easier, 1 finger

D5 guitar chord diagram, root on the a string, played x577xx — Root on the A string

D5 guitar chord diagram, two strings, root on the a, played x57xxx — Two strings, root on the A

If the chord is not clean

The bottom two strings ring: D5 starts on the open D. Rest the palm of the strumming hand across the low E and A, which is the standard way to keep them silent.
The high E sounds: Let the finger fretting the B string lie flat enough to touch the high E, so the strum stops at the B naturally.
The chord sounds thin: Two notes on the middle strings will always be lighter than a low power chord. Playing the movable version at the 5th fret of the A string gives you the same chord with more weight.

What makes it a D5

D · A 1 5

D5 is D with its perfect fifth, A, and nothing else. Neither the F sharp of D major nor the F of D minor is present.

That is why the chord is written with a 5 rather than a letter alone: the number tells you the chord contains the root and the fifth only. It stays clean under distortion and fits over major or minor progressions.

D5 vs D

D major is a bright four string chord with an F sharp on top. D5 drops that F sharp and keeps only D and A, which makes it heavier and more neutral.

Many rock songs in D use both: the full D for the strummed sections and D5 for the riffs, where the third would blur the sound.

D5 chord questions

Is D5 major or minor?

Neither. It has only D and A, and the third is the note that would make it one or the other.

Can I play D5 with one finger?

Yes. The open D string plus the 2nd fret of the G string is a complete D5.

Is D5 easier in drop D tuning?

Yes. With the low E string tuned down to D, a power chord takes one finger laid across the bottom two or three strings, which is why so much heavy music uses that tuning. The shapes on this page are for standard tuning.

Which strings do I strum?

The D, G and B strings for the three string version. Keep the two lowest strings quiet with the palm.

What chords go with D5?

G5 and A5, the other two power chords in the key of D. Add C5 and you have most of the rock rhythm vocabulary in that key.