Chords › E5
E5 Power Chord on Guitar
- E5
- E · B
- Open chord
Open. Two fingers on the A and D strings; strum only the three lowest strings.
E5 is a power chord: just the root and the fifth, with no third, so it is neither major nor minor and stays clear under distortion. The open shape uses 2 fingers on 3 strings.
How to play E5, finger by finger
- Put your index finger on string 5 at the 2nd fret.
- Put your middle finger on string 4 at the 2nd fret.
- Strum strings 6 to 4 only.
More ways to play E5
Notes in E5
| Note | Interval | Role |
|---|---|---|
| E | 1 | root |
| B | 5 | fifth |
Formula: 1 – 5
Questions about E5
What notes are in E5?
E and B. Those are the 1, 5 of the chord, counted from E.
Which strings do I strum for E5?
All six strings.
Is E5 major or minor?
Neither. A power chord has only the root and the fifth (E and B), so it fits songs in E major and E minor alike. It is the standard chord for rock and metal rhythm guitar.
Related chords
Often played with E5
Other power chords