Also written B5, B or B power chord
B 5th is built from B and F♯. This two-note shape mutes two strings, so it demands precise right-hand control.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
B 5th uses the formula 1, 5, so it contains only the root B and its perfect 5th F♯. The perfect 5th interval gives the chord its open, stable sound. Compare it with B major, which adds the major 3rd D♯.
B 5th works as a power chord in B major progressions like B–E–F♯, the I–IV–V. It suits rock and metal when you need a strong root-fifth punch. Use it to replace B major in a band mix.
The default voicing puts F♯ in the bass, so it sounds like an inversion. For a root-position B 5th, use the shape on the G and C strings at the 4th and 6th frets.
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.
Tip — The hardest part is muting the G and C strings cleanly while fretting the E and A strings at the 2nd fret.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | muted | — | — |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 1 | F♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 2 | 2 | B (1) |
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.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4 | 1 | B (1) |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 2 | F♯ (5) |
| 2 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (A) | muted | — | — |
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.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 1 | F♯ (5) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 2 | B (1) |
| 1 (A) | muted | — | — |
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.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | muted | — | — |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 1 | B (1) |
| 1 (A) | 9 | 2 | F♯ (5) |
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.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 11 | 1 | F♯ (5) |
| 3 (C) | 11 | 2 | B (1) |
| 2 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (A) | muted | — | — |
B 5th is written as B or B5. It is also called a power chord.
B major contains B, D♯, and F♯, while B 5th omits the D♯. Removing the 3rd makes the chord neither major nor minor.
The open G and C strings are not chord tones, so they must be muted to keep the chord clean. Muting them avoids unwanted notes.