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E power chord (E5)

E5 is E and B, the root and the fifth above it. The easiest way to play it is open, 022xxx: the 6th string open, your 1st finger on the 5th string at the 2nd fret and your 2nd finger on the 4th string at the 2nd fret. Strum only those three strings.

E5

E power chord · E B · root and fifth

  • 12EBE

    Open position

    Open E5

    022xxx

  • 2fr134EBE

    2nd fret

    Root on the 4th string

    xx245x

  • 7fr134EBE

    7th fret

    Root on the 5th string

    x799xx

Or pick another power chord to see and hear it

Root

Dots show where each finger goes, numbered 1 (index) to 4 (little); the green ones are E, the root. Chug plays four short strums, the sound of a palm resting on the strings.

How to play E5

Strings are counted from the thinnest: the 1st is the high E and the 6th the low E. Each shape is written as tab from the 6th string to the 1st, a number for the fret to press, 0 for an open string and x for one not played.

  1. 1. Open E5

    022xxx
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 5th string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 4th string, 2nd fret.
    • Let the 6th string ring open.
    • Mute the 3rd, 2nd and 1st strings by letting the fingers next to them touch them lightly.

  2. 2. Root on the 4th string, 2nd fret

    xx245x
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 4th string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 3rd string, 4th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 5th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th and 5th strings: strum from the 4th.
    • Mute the 1st string by letting a finger next to it touch it lightly.

  3. 3. Root on the 5th string, 7th fret

    x799xx
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 5th string, 7th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 9th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 3rd string, 9th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.
    • Mute the 2nd and 1st strings by letting the fingers next to them touch them lightly.

Notes in E5

E5 is E and B. B is the fifth above E, seven half steps up, and most shapes play E again an octave higher on top. It has no third, so it is neither major nor minor: add G♯ and it is E major; add G and it is E minor. That is why one power chord fits a riff in either key.

Power chords that go with E5

A5x022xxThe fourth: E5 to A5 is the I to IV move under blues and rock.D5xx023xA whole step down: E5, D5 and back is rock’s ♭VII move.G5355xxxThree frets up the same string: the move in punk and metal riffs.B5x244xxThe fifth: B5 pulls back home to E5.C5x355xxThe dark ♭VI: heavy riffs climb C5, D5, E5.

More power chords

C5C♯5D5E♭5F5F♯5G5A♭5A5B♭5B5

Or see every one at once on the power chord chart, with three riffs to play.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play E5 on guitar?

The easiest way is open, 022xxx: the 6th string open, your 1st finger on the 5th string at the 2nd fret and your 2nd finger on the 4th string at the 2nd fret. Strum just those strings and let the others stay quiet.

What notes are in E5?

E and B: the root and the fifth above it, seven half steps up. Most shapes play E again an octave higher on top, so three strings sound two notes.

Is E5 major or minor?

Neither. A major or minor chord gets its sound from its third, and E5 has none, so it fits under E major and E minor alike. Add the third and it becomes one of them.

What is another way to play E5?

With the root on the 4th string at the 2nd fret, xx245x: your 1st finger on the root and your 3rd and 4th fingers on the 3rd and 2nd strings, at the 4th and 5th frets. The shape is the same on every string pair, so it moves anywhere on the neck.

What chords go with E5?

A5, D5, G5 and B5: the IV, the ♭VII a whole step down, the ♭III three frets up and the V of its key. Each is the same shape moved along the neck.

Make a rock beat in E

Opens the free editor with a rock beat in E major on E A B A, a driven electric guitar playing the chords. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Make a rock beat in EAll power chords

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