Also written A5, A or A power chord
A 5th contains A and E. The open position uses only two fretted notes, making it a beginner-friendly power chord.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
A 5th is built from the root and perfect fifth, giving it a hollow, powerful sound. It omits the third, so it is neither major nor minor. Compare it to A major, which adds C♯.
A 5th works as the tonic in A major progressions like A–D–E, the I–IV–V. It suits rock, punk, and blues bass lines where a simple root-fifth punch is needed. Try it with D major and E major.
The open position is the easiest and lowest, but the 5th fret voicing gives a tighter, more focused sound. The A5/E inversion puts the fifth in the bass, which softens the root emphasis.
A 5th is played in open position as × 0 2 2: index finger on the D string at fret 2 and middle finger on the G string at fret 2. The A string rings open. The E string stays muted.
Tip — The low E string must be muted while the open A string rings cleanly.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (A) | open | — | A (1) |
| 2 (D) | 2 | 1 | E (5) |
| 1 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (1) |
A 5th is played at the 5th fret as 5 7 7 ×: index finger on the E string at fret 5, middle finger on the A string at fret 7 and ring finger on the D string at fret 7. The G string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5 | 1 | A (1) |
| 3 (A) | 7 | 2 | E (5) |
| 2 (D) | 7 | 3 | A (1) |
| 1 (G) | muted | — | — |
A 5th is played at the 12th fret as × 12 14 14: index finger on the A string at fret 12, middle finger on the D string at fret 14 and ring finger on the G string at fret 14. The E string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (A) | 12 | 1 | A (1) |
| 2 (D) | 14 | 2 | E (5) |
| 1 (G) | 14 | 3 | A (1) |
A 5th is played in open position as 0 0 2 2: index finger on the D string at fret 2 and middle finger on the G string at fret 2. The E and A strings ring open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | open | — | E (5) |
| 3 (A) | open | — | A (1) |
| 2 (D) | 2 | 1 | E (5) |
| 1 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (1) |
A 5th is played at the 12th fret as 12 12 14 14: index finger on the E string at fret 12, middle finger on the A string at fret 12, ring finger on the D string at fret 14 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 14.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 12 | 1 | E (5) |
| 3 (A) | 12 | 2 | A (1) |
| 2 (D) | 14 | 3 | E (5) |
| 1 (G) | 14 | 4 | A (1) |
A 5th is written as A5 or simply A. It is also called a power chord.
A 5th has only A and E, while A major adds C♯. The missing third makes A 5th neither major nor minor.
No barre is needed for A 5th. Use separate fingers for the two fretted notes.