B5 Guitar Chord
B5 is a power chord. It has only the root and the fifth, with no third, so it is neither major nor minor and stays clear under heavy distortion. Its notes are B and F#. Below are 2 ways to play it, each with a chord diagram, tab and finger numbers.
Notes in B5
| Note | Degree | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| B | R | Root |
| F# | 5 | Perfect 5th |
Formula: 1–5
B5 chord shapes
Finger numbers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 pinky. In the tab, x means don't play that string and 0 means play it open. In the diagrams the top line is the 1st (thinnest) string and the nut is on the left.
A-shape 2fr
Easiest- Tab (6th → 1st string)
- x 2 4 4 x x
- Fingers
- – 1 3 4 – –
E-shape 7fr
- Tab (6th → 1st string)
- 7 9 9 x x x
- Fingers
- 1 3 4 – – –
How to play B5 (easiest shape)
Shape: A-shape 2fr, tab x 2 4 4 x x (6th to 1st string).
- 1Put your index finger (1) on the 5th string at the 2nd fret.
- 2Put your ring finger (3) on the 4th string at the 4th fret.
- 3Put your pinky (4) on the 3rd string at the 4th fret.
- 4Don't play the 6th string.
- 5Keep the 2nd and 1st strings quiet: stop your strum at the 3rd string, or let a fretting finger touch them lightly.
- 6Strum down from the 5th string to the 3rd string.
B5: common questions
- What notes are in the B5 chord?
- B5 has 2 notes: B and F#. Counted from the root, that is 1–5.
- Is there an easier way to play B5?
- The easiest shape on this page is "A-shape 2fr" (x 2 4 4 x x). It needs no barre: each finger presses just one string.
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See all 231 chords in the chord library, find a scale to play over them, or tune up before you start.