Also written C5, C or C power chord
C 5th contains C and G. The 3rd fret position requires a two-fret stretch, making it an intermediate power chord.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
C 5th is built from the root and perfect fifth. It has no third, so it works over major or minor contexts. Compare it to C major, which adds E.
C 5th is the tonic in C major progressions like C–F–G, the I–IV–V. It fits rock, pop, and blues bass lines that need a solid root-fifth foundation. Use it with F major and G major.
The 3rd fret position is the standard choice, but the 8th fret voicing offers a warmer tone. The C5/G inversion puts the fifth in the bass, which can smooth out a progression.
C 5th is played at the 3rd fret as × 3 5 5: index finger on the A string at fret 3, middle finger on the D string at fret 5 and ring finger on the G string at fret 5. The E string stays muted.
Tip — The stretch from the 3rd to the 5th fret across three strings challenges finger independence.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (A) | 3 | 1 | C (1) |
| 2 (D) | 5 | 2 | G (5) |
| 1 (G) | 5 | 3 | C (1) |
C 5th is played at the 8th fret as 8 10 10 ×: index finger on the E string at fret 8, middle finger on the A string at fret 10 and ring finger on the D string at fret 10. The G string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8 | 1 | C (1) |
| 3 (A) | 10 | 2 | G (5) |
| 2 (D) | 10 | 3 | C (1) |
| 1 (G) | muted | — | — |
C 5th is played at the 3rd fret as 3 3 5 5: index finger on the E string at fret 3, middle finger on the A string at fret 3, ring finger on the D string at fret 5 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 5.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3 | 1 | G (5) |
| 3 (A) | 3 | 2 | C (1) |
| 2 (D) | 5 | 3 | G (5) |
| 1 (G) | 5 | 4 | C (1) |
C 5th is written as C5 or simply C. It is also called a power chord.
C 5th has only C and G, while C major adds E. The missing third makes C 5th neither major nor minor.
No barre is needed for C 5th. Use separate fingers for the fretted notes.