E5 Guitar Chord
E5 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 E and B. Below are 3 ways to play it, each with a chord diagram, tab and finger numbers.
Notes in E5
| Note | Degree | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| E | R | Root |
| B | 5 | Perfect 5th |
Formula: 1–5
E5 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.
Open
- Tab (6th → 1st string)
- 0 2 2 x x x
- Fingers
- – 1 3 – – –
Root 6th
Easiest- Tab (6th → 1st string)
- 0 2 x x x x
- Fingers
- – 1 – – – –
A-shape 7fr
- Tab (6th → 1st string)
- x 7 9 9 x x
- Fingers
- – 1 3 4 – –
How to play E5 (easiest shape)
Shape: Root 6th, tab 0 2 x x x x (6th to 1st string).
- 1Put your index finger (1) on the 5th string at the 2nd fret.
- 2Let the 6th string ring open.
- 3Keep the 4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st strings quiet: stop your strum at the 5th string, or let a fretting finger touch them lightly.
- 4Strum down from the 6th string to the 5th string.
E5: common questions
- What notes are in the E5 chord?
- E5 has 2 notes: E and B. Counted from the root, that is 1–5.
- Is there an easier way to play E5?
- The easiest shape on this page is "Root 6th" (0 2 x x 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.