Also written F5, F or F power chord
F 5th contains F and C, the root and perfect fifth. This two-fret stretch across the E and A strings makes it a compact power chord for bass lines.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
F 5th is built from the 1 and 5 of the F major scale, leaving out the third. The perfect fifth between F and C gives the chord its open, neutral sound. Compare F major, which adds the major third A for a fuller harmony.
F 5th works as the tonic in F major progressions like F–B♭–C–F, the I–IV–V–I. It also appears in F major and G minor contexts. Use it for driving rock or punk bass lines where the root-fifth punch cuts through.
The 1st fret position keeps F as the lowest note for a solid foundation. The 8th fret position uses the same shape an octave higher for brighter fills. The F5/C inversion at the 8th fret puts C in the bass, which softens the root emphasis.
F 5th is played at the 1st fret as 1 3 3 ×: index finger on the E string at fret 1, middle finger on the A string at fret 3 and ring finger on the D string at fret 3. The G string stays muted.
Tip — The index finger must hold the low E at the 1st fret while the middle and ring fingers stretch to the 3rd fret on adjacent strings.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (1) |
| 3 (A) | 3 | 2 | C (5) |
| 2 (D) | 3 | 3 | F (1) |
| 1 (G) | muted | — | — |
F 5th is played at the 8th fret as × 8 10 10: index finger on the A string at fret 8, middle finger on the D string at fret 10 and ring finger on the G string at fret 10. The E string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (A) | 8 | 1 | F (1) |
| 2 (D) | 10 | 2 | C (5) |
| 1 (G) | 10 | 3 | F (1) |
F 5th is played at the 13th fret as 13 15 15 ×: index finger on the E string at fret 13, middle finger on the A string at fret 15 and ring finger on the D string at fret 15. The G string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 13 | 1 | F (1) |
| 3 (A) | 15 | 2 | C (5) |
| 2 (D) | 15 | 3 | F (1) |
| 1 (G) | muted | — | — |
F 5th is played at the 8th fret as 8 8 10 10: index finger on the E string at fret 8, middle finger on the A string at fret 8, ring finger on the D string at fret 10 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 10.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8 | 1 | C (5) |
| 3 (A) | 8 | 2 | F (1) |
| 2 (D) | 10 | 3 | C (5) |
| 1 (G) | 10 | 4 | F (1) |
F 5th is written as F or F5.
F major includes the major third A, giving it a full major sound. F 5th omits the third, so it works over both major and minor contexts.
Without a third, F 5th has no major or minor quality. The perfect fifth interval is consonant and stable, making it versatile for many bass lines.