C5 Chord on Guitar
Notes C G. Start with C5 (x 3 5 5 x x): index on string 5 fret 3, ring and pinky on strings 4 and 3 at fret 5.
Chord · C5 power chord
Power chord, root on string 5 (fret 3) · x 3 5 5 x x
movable, no open strings
Power chord, root on string 6 (fret 8) · 8 10 10 x x x
movable, no open strings
Power chord, root on string 4 (fret 10) · x x 10 12 13 x
movable, no open strings
1 C5 G
- String 6 (low E): muted, do not play
- String 5 (A): index (1), fret 3
- String 4 (D): ring (3), fret 5
- String 3 (G): pinky (4), fret 5
- String 2 (B): muted, do not play
- String 1 (high e): muted, do not play
- String 6 (low E): index (1), fret 8
- String 5 (A): ring (3), fret 10
- String 4 (D): pinky (4), fret 10
- String 3 (G): muted, do not play
- String 2 (B): muted, do not play
- String 1 (high e): muted, do not play
- String 6 (low E): muted, do not play
- String 5 (A): muted, do not play
- String 4 (D): index (1), fret 10
- String 3 (G): ring (3), fret 12
- String 2 (B): pinky (4), fret 13
- String 1 (high e): muted, do not play
Notes and formula
| Degree | Note | Interval from C |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | root |
| 5 | G | perfect 5th |
Formula 1 5 (power chord).
More on this chord type: Power chords
Keys that contain C5
| Key | C5 is the |
|---|---|
| C major | I5 |
| C minor | I5 |
| F major | V5 |
| G major | IV5 |
| G minor | IV5 |
| E minor | VI5 |
| A minor | III5 |
| D minor | VII5 |
Minor keys here use the natural minor scale.
Playing C5: what goes wrong
Neither major nor minor
C5 is C and G (and a higher C) with no E or E♭. No 3rd means it is neither major nor minor, and it suits both C and Cm.
Palm muting
Rest the picking-hand palm on the strings by the bridge and play x 3 5 5 x x for a tight, dry sound. Keep strings 6, 2 and 1 silent.
C5 in a key
C5 is I5 in C, IV5 in G and V5 in F. The same shape on string 6 is 8 10 10 x x x.
Related chords
Learn and practise C5
- Metronomepractise the change to C5 at 60 BPM
- How to read chord chartsstrings, frets, fingers, x and o
- Chord finder (chord namer)name any other shape you find
FAQ
What notes are in C5?
C, G: the 1, 5 of the C5 power chord.
Is C5 the same as C major?
No. C major is C, E, G; C5 is C and G only. Without the E it is neither major nor minor.