Also written E♭5, E♭ or E♭ power chord
E♭ 5th contains E♭ and B♭. The 6th fret position requires a two-fret stretch, making it an intermediate power chord.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
E♭ 5th is built from the root and perfect fifth. It omits the third, so it is neither major nor minor. Compare it to E♭ major, which adds G.
E♭ 5th is the tonic in E♭ major progressions like E♭–A♭–B♭, the I–IV–V. It suits rock and metal bass lines that need a driving root-fifth pattern. Try it with A♭ major and B♭ major.
The 6th fret position is the standard choice, but the 11th fret voicing offers a brighter tone. The E♭5/B♭ inversion puts the fifth in the bass, which can create a smoother bass line.
E♭ 5th is played at the 6th fret as × 6 8 8: index finger on the A string at fret 6, middle finger on the D string at fret 8 and ring finger on the G string at fret 8. The E string stays muted.
Tip — The stretch from the 6th to the 8th fret across three strings requires finger independence.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (A) | 6 | 1 | E♭ (1) |
| 2 (D) | 8 | 2 | B♭ (5) |
| 1 (G) | 8 | 3 | E♭ (1) |
E♭ 5th is played at the 11th fret as 11 13 13 ×: index finger on the E string at fret 11, middle finger on the A string at fret 13 and ring finger on the D string at fret 13. The G string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11 | 1 | E♭ (1) |
| 3 (A) | 13 | 2 | B♭ (5) |
| 2 (D) | 13 | 3 | E♭ (1) |
| 1 (G) | muted | — | — |
E♭ 5th is played at the 6th fret as 6 6 8 8: index finger on the E string at fret 6, middle finger on the A string at fret 6, ring finger on the D string at fret 8 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 8.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6 | 1 | B♭ (5) |
| 3 (A) | 6 | 2 | E♭ (1) |
| 2 (D) | 8 | 3 | B♭ (5) |
| 1 (G) | 8 | 4 | E♭ (1) |
E♭ 5th is written as E♭5 or Eb5. It is also spelled D♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
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 fretted notes.