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E 5th chord on guitar (E5)
Also called or written E5, E or E power chord
E 5th contains the notes E and B. 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 positionE–BE50-2-2-×-×-×
- First inversionB–EE5/B7-7-9-9-×-×
How do you play an E 5th chord on guitar?
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 low E string rings open. The G, B and high e strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | open | — | E (1) |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 1 | B (5) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 2 | E (1) |
| 3 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 2 (B) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
BeginnerThe hardest part is muting the three unused strings while keeping the two fretted notes clean.
7th fret
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 low E, B and high e strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 7 | 1 | E (1) |
| 4 (D) | 9 | 2 | B (5) |
| 3 (G) | 9 | 3 | E (1) |
| 2 (B) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
12th fret
E 5th is played at the 12th fret as 12 14 14 × × ×: index finger on the low 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, B and high e strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 12 | 1 | E (1) |
| 5 (A) | 14 | 2 | B (5) |
| 4 (D) | 14 | 3 | E (1) |
| 3 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 2 (B) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
E5/B inversion
E 5th is played at the 7th fret as 7 7 9 9 × ×: index finger on the low 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. The B and high e strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7 | 1 | B (5) |
| 5 (A) | 7 | 2 | E (1) |
| 4 (D) | 9 | 3 | B (5) |
| 3 (G) | 9 | 4 | E (1) |
| 2 (B) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
Why it sounds like that
E 5th is built from the 1st and 5th degrees of the E major scale, giving the formula 1–5. The perfect fifth interval creates the open, neutral sound typical of power chords. Compare it with E major, which adds the major third G♯ for a complete major triad.
What goes wrong with E 5th?
- The 3rd string sounds because the fretting hand fails to mute it.
- The 2nd string rings open when the fretting hand fails to mute it.
- The 5th string buzzes because the index finger is too far from the fret.
When to use it
E 5th works as the tonic in E major progressions like E–A–B (I–IV–V) or E–B–C♯m–A (I–V–vi–IV). Its neutral fifth suits rock riffs, punk barre chords, and blues shuffles. Use it with E major and B major for a full major sound.
Changing to and from E 5th
- Sliding the shape down two frets to the 5th fret gives D 5th.
- Sliding the shape up one fret to the 8th fret gives F 5th.
Which voicing to use
The open position is the easiest and works for beginner riffs. The 7th fret and 12th fret positions move the same shape up the neck for higher voicings. The E5/B inversion puts the fifth in the bass, giving a slightly darker, less rooted sound.
Other E chords
Common questions
What is the difference between E 5th and E major?
E 5th contains only E and B, while E major adds G♯. The missing third makes the power chord neutral and works over both major and minor contexts.
Can E 5th be played on the 6th string?
Yes, the open position uses the 6th string open for the root E. The 12th fret position also uses the 6th string at fret 12 for the root E.
Why is E 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.