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A 5th chord on guitar (A5)
Also called or written A5, A or A power chord
A 5th contains the notes A and E. This open power chord is a beginner's first movable shape, needing only two fingers and three strings.
How it is built
Formula 1, 5
- Root positionA–EA5×-0-2-2-×-×
- First inversionE–AA5/E0-0-2-2-×-×
How do you play an A 5th chord on guitar?
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 low E, B and high e strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (1) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 1 | E (5) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (1) |
| 2 (B) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
BeginnerThe hardest part is muting the three unused strings while keeping the two fretted notes clean.
5th fret
A 5th is played at the 5th fret as 5 7 7 × × ×: index finger on the low 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, B and high e strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5 | 1 | A (1) |
| 5 (A) | 7 | 2 | E (5) |
| 4 (D) | 7 | 3 | A (1) |
| 3 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 2 (B) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
12th fret
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 low E, B and high e strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 12 | 1 | A (1) |
| 4 (D) | 14 | 2 | E (5) |
| 3 (G) | 14 | 3 | A (1) |
| 2 (B) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
A5/E inversion · open position
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 low E and A strings ring open. The B and high e strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | open | — | E (5) |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (1) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 1 | E (5) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (1) |
| 2 (B) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
A5/E inversion · fret 12
A 5th is played at the 12th fret as 12 12 14 14 × ×: index finger on the low 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. The B and high e strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 12 | 1 | E (5) |
| 5 (A) | 12 | 2 | A (1) |
| 4 (D) | 14 | 3 | E (5) |
| 3 (G) | 14 | 4 | A (1) |
| 2 (B) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
Why it sounds like that
A 5th is built from the 1st and 5th degrees of the A major scale, giving the formula 1–5. The perfect fifth interval produces the hollow, neutral sound that defines a power chord. Compare it with A major, which adds the major third C♯ for a fuller, brighter quality.
What goes wrong with A 5th?
- The 6th string sounds because the thumb does not reach over the neck.
- The 2nd string rings open when the fretting hand fails to mute it.
- The 4th string buzzes because the index finger is too far from the fret.
When to use it
A 5th works as the tonic in A major progressions like A–D–E (I–IV–V) or A–E–F♯m–D (I–V–vi–IV). Its neutral fifth suits rock riffs, punk barre chords, and blues shuffles. Use it with A major and E major for a full major sound.
Changing to and from A 5th
- Sliding the shape down two frets to the 1st fret gives G 5th.
- Sliding the shape up two frets to the 5th fret gives B 5th.
Which voicing to use
The open position is the easiest and works for beginner riffs. The 5th fret and 12th fret positions move the same shape up the neck for higher voicings. The A5/E inversion puts the fifth in the bass, giving a slightly darker, less rooted sound.
Other A chords
Common questions
What is the difference between A 5th and A major?
A 5th contains only A and E, while A major adds C♯. The missing third makes the power chord sound neutral and works over both major and minor contexts.
Can A 5th be played on the 6th string?
Yes, the 5th fret position uses the 6th string at fret 5 for the root A. The open position mutes the 6th string to keep the bass note on the 5th string.
Why is A 5th called a power chord?
Power chords contain only the root and fifth, producing a strong, focused sound with no major or minor quality. They are common in rock and metal because they sound clear under distortion.