G5 Chord on Guitar
Notes G D. Start with G5 (3 5 5 x x x): index on string 6 fret 3, ring and pinky on strings 5 and 4 at fret 5.
Chord · G5 power chord
Power chord, root on string 6 (fret 3) · 3 5 5 x x x
movable, no open strings
Power chord, root on string 4 (fret 5) · x x 5 7 8 x
movable, no open strings
Power chord, root on string 5 (fret 10) · x 10 12 12 x x
movable, no open strings
1 G5 D
- String 6 (low E): index (1), fret 3
- String 5 (A): ring (3), fret 5
- String 4 (D): pinky (4), fret 5
- 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 5
- String 3 (G): ring (3), fret 7
- String 2 (B): pinky (4), fret 8
- String 1 (high e): muted, do not play
- String 6 (low E): muted, do not play
- String 5 (A): index (1), fret 10
- String 4 (D): ring (3), fret 12
- String 3 (G): pinky (4), fret 12
- String 2 (B): muted, do not play
- String 1 (high e): muted, do not play
Notes and formula
| Degree | Note | Interval from G |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | G | root |
| 5 | D | perfect 5th |
Formula 1 5 (power chord).
More on this chord type: Power chords
Keys that contain G5
| Key | G5 is the |
|---|---|
| G major | I5 |
| G minor | I5 |
| C major | V5 |
| D major | IV5 |
| D minor | IV5 |
| B minor | VI5 |
| E minor | III5 |
| A minor | VII5 |
Minor keys here use the natural minor scale.
Playing G5: what goes wrong
Neither major nor minor
G5 has only G and D (and a higher G): no B or B♭. With no 3rd it is neither major nor minor, so it fits under both and is the standard chord for distorted guitar.
Palm muting
Rest the edge of the picking-hand palm on the strings next to the bridge and play G5 for a tight, chugging sound. Only strings 6 to 4 are played: mute or avoid the others.
G5 in a key
G5 is I5 in G, IV5 in D and V5 in C (and the same chord in the matching minor keys). Slide the 3 5 5 shape up and down string 6 for any root.
Related chords
Learn and practise G5
- Metronomepractise the change to G5 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 G5?
G, D: the 1, 5 of the G5 power chord.
Is G5 the same as G major?
No. G major is G, B, D; G5 is G and D only. Without the B it does not say major or minor.