Also written A5, A or A power chord
A 5th contains A and E. This open-position power chord is easy to fret and suits beginner players.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
A 5th is built from the formula 1, 5, with a perfect 5th between A and E. The perfect 5th gives the chord its open, stable sound. Compare it with A major, which adds a major 3rd for a fuller harmony.
A 5th works as the tonic in A major progressions like A–D–E, the I–IV–V. It suits rock, punk, and blues rhythm playing where a raw, open sound is needed.
The open position is the easiest and most resonant, with the root A on the open 1st string. The A5/E inversion starting on fret 2 puts the 5th in the bass for a darker, less grounded sound.
A 5th is played in open position as 2 4 0 0: index finger on the G string at fret 2 and middle finger on the C string at fret 4. The E and A strings ring open.
Tip — The stretch between the index finger on fret 2 and the middle finger on fret 4 is the main physical challenge.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2 | 1 | A (1) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 2 | E (5) |
| 2 (E) | open | — | E (5) |
| 1 (A) | open | — | A (1) |
A 5th is played at the 2nd fret as 2 4 × ×: index finger on the G string at fret 2 and middle finger on the C string at fret 4. The E and A strings stay muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2 | 1 | A (1) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 2 | E (5) |
| 2 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (A) | muted | — | — |
A 5th is played at the 4th fret as × 4 5 ×: index finger on the C string at fret 4 and middle finger on the E string at fret 5. The G and A strings stay muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 1 | E (5) |
| 2 (E) | 5 | 2 | A (1) |
| 1 (A) | muted | — | — |
A 5th is played at the 5th fret as × × 5 7: index finger on the E string at fret 5 and middle finger on the A string at fret 7. The G and C strings stay muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | muted | — | — |
| 2 (E) | 5 | 1 | A (1) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 2 | E (5) |
A 5th is played at the 9th fret as 9 9 × ×: index finger on the G string at fret 9 and middle finger on the C string at fret 9. The E and A strings stay muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9 | 1 | E (5) |
| 3 (C) | 9 | 2 | A (1) |
| 2 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (A) | muted | — | — |
A 5th is written as A5 or simply A. It is also called a power chord.
A 5th omits the major 3rd, leaving only A and E. A major includes C♯, which gives it a brighter, more complete sound.
No, the open position uses individual fingers. The barre version at the 9th fret is an alternative, but it is not the default shape.