C5 Guitar Chord
C5 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 C and G. Below are 2 ways to play it, each with a chord diagram, tab and finger numbers.
Notes in C5
| Note | Degree | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| C | R | Root |
| G | 5 | Perfect 5th |
Formula: 1–5
C5 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 3fr
Easiest- Tab (6th → 1st string)
- x 3 5 5 x x
- Fingers
- – 1 3 4 – –
E-shape 8fr
- Tab (6th → 1st string)
- 8 10 10 x x x
- Fingers
- 1 3 4 – – –
How to play C5 (easiest shape)
Shape: A-shape 3fr, tab x 3 5 5 x x (6th to 1st string).
- 1Put your index finger (1) on the 5th string at the 3rd fret.
- 2Put your ring finger (3) on the 4th string at the 5th fret.
- 3Put your pinky (4) on the 3rd string at the 5th 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.
C5: common questions
- What notes are in the C5 chord?
- C5 has 2 notes: C and G. Counted from the root, that is 1–5.
- Is there an easier way to play C5?
- The easiest shape on this page is "A-shape 3fr" (x 3 5 5 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.