Explore chords · Ukulele
B 5th chord on ukulele (B5)
Also called or written B5, B or B power chord
B 5th contains B and F♯. This power chord at the 4th fret has two muted strings, an intermediate grip that demands clean muting.
How it is built
Formula 1, 5
How do you play a B 5th chord on ukulele?
B 5th is played at the 4th fret as 4 6 × ×: index finger on the G string at fret 4 and middle finger on the C string at fret 6. The E and A strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4 | 1 | B (1) |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 2 | F♯ (5) |
| 2 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (A) | muted | — | — |
IntermediateThe index and middle fingers must fret cleanly while both remaining strings are muted, requiring precise finger placement.
7th fret
B 5th is played at the 7th fret as × × 7 9: index finger on the E string at fret 7 and middle finger on the A string at fret 9. The G and C strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | muted | — | — |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 1 | B (1) |
| 1 (A) | 9 | 2 | F♯ (5) |
B5/F♯ inversion · fret 2
B 5th is played at the 2nd fret as × × 2 2: index finger on the E string at fret 2 and middle finger on the A string at fret 2. The G and C strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | muted | — | — |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 1 | F♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 2 | 2 | B (1) |
B5/F♯ inversion · fret 6
B 5th is played at the 6th fret as × 6 7 ×: index finger on the C string at fret 6 and middle finger on the E string at fret 7. The G and A strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 1 | F♯ (5) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 2 | B (1) |
| 1 (A) | muted | — | — |
11th fret
B 5th is played at the 11th fret as 11 11 × ×: index finger on the G string at fret 11 and middle finger on the C string at fret 11. The E and A strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 11 | 1 | F♯ (5) |
| 3 (C) | 11 | 2 | B (1) |
| 2 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (A) | muted | — | — |
Why it sounds like that
B 5th is built from the formula 1, 5, using the root B and its perfect fifth F♯. The perfect fifth gives the chord its strong, open sound. Compare B 5th with B major, which adds the major third D♯.
What goes wrong with B 5th?
- Letting the E or A string ring open because the muting finger is not touching it.
- Pressing the G string too hard and pulling it sharp.
- Flattening the middle finger onto the E string and accidentally fretting it.
When to use it
B 5th works as a power chord in B major progressions like B–E–F♯, the I–IV–V in B major. B 5th suits rock and punk where a full major chord sounds too bright.
Changing to and from B 5th
- Move from B 5th to E major by lifting the middle finger and placing it on the C string 4th fret while the index stays on the G string 4th fret.
- Slide B 5th up one fret to C 5th by moving both fingers together from the 4th fret to the 5th fret.
Which voicing to use
The 4th fret position keeps B in the bass for a rooted sound. The B5/F♯ inversions put F♯ in the bass, which softens the chord and works well when moving to E major or G♯ minor.
Other B chords
Common questions
How do I mute the E and A strings cleanly in B 5th?
Rest the underside of your fretting fingers lightly against the E and A strings without pressing them to the frets. Check each string individually with a slow strum.
Why does B 5th sound different from B major?
B 5th omits the major third D♯, leaving only the root and fifth. Without the third the chord has no major or minor quality, which is why it works over both B major and B minor contexts.
Can I play B 5th higher up the neck?
Yes, the 7th fret position plays B and F♯ on the E and A strings. The higher register cuts through a band mix but loses the low G string warmth.