Also written E5, E or E power chord
E 5th contains E and B. 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.
E 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 E major, which adds G♯.
E 5th works as the tonic in E major progressions like E–A–B, the I–IV–V. It suits rock, punk, and blues bass lines where a simple root-fifth punch is needed. Try it with A major and B major.
The open position is the easiest and lowest, but the 7th fret voicing gives a tighter, more focused sound. The E5/B inversion puts the fifth in the bass, which softens the root emphasis.
E 5th is played in open position as 0 2 2 ×: index finger on the A string at fret 2 and middle finger on the D string at fret 2. The E string rings open. The G string stays muted.
Tip — The G string must be muted while the other strings ring cleanly.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | open | — | E (1) |
| 3 (A) | 2 | 1 | B (5) |
| 2 (D) | 2 | 2 | E (1) |
| 1 (G) | muted | — | — |
E 5th is played at the 7th fret as × 7 9 9: index finger on the A string at fret 7, middle finger on the D string at fret 9 and ring finger on the G string at fret 9. The E string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (A) | 7 | 1 | E (1) |
| 2 (D) | 9 | 2 | B (5) |
| 1 (G) | 9 | 3 | E (1) |
E 5th is played at the 12th fret as 12 14 14 ×: index finger on the E string at fret 12, middle finger on the A string at fret 14 and ring finger on the D string at fret 14. The G string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 12 | 1 | E (1) |
| 3 (A) | 14 | 2 | B (5) |
| 2 (D) | 14 | 3 | E (1) |
| 1 (G) | muted | — | — |
E 5th is played at the 7th fret as 7 7 9 9: index finger on the E string at fret 7, middle finger on the A string at fret 7, ring finger on the D string at fret 9 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 9.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7 | 1 | B (5) |
| 3 (A) | 7 | 2 | E (1) |
| 2 (D) | 9 | 3 | B (5) |
| 1 (G) | 9 | 4 | E (1) |
E 5th is written as E5 or simply E. It is also called a power chord.
E 5th has only E and B, while E major adds G♯. The missing third makes E 5th neither major nor minor.
No barre is needed for E 5th. Use separate fingers for the two fretted notes.