A5 Chord on Guitar
Notes A E. Start with open A5 (x 0 2 2 x x): open A, index on string 4 fret 2, middle on string 3 fret 2.
Chord · A5 power chord
Open A5 (root on string 5) · x 0 2 2 x x
open strings
Power chord, root on string 6 (fret 5) · 5 7 7 x x x
movable, no open strings
Power chord, root on string 4 (fret 7) · x x 7 9 10 x
movable, no open strings
1 A5 E
- String 6 (low E): muted, do not play
- String 5 (A): open
- String 4 (D): index (1), fret 2
- String 3 (G): middle (2), fret 2
- String 2 (B): muted, do not play
- String 1 (high e): muted, do not play
- String 6 (low E): index (1), fret 5
- String 5 (A): ring (3), fret 7
- String 4 (D): pinky (4), fret 7
- 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 7
- String 3 (G): ring (3), fret 9
- String 2 (B): pinky (4), fret 10
- String 1 (high e): muted, do not play
Notes and formula
| Degree | Note | Interval from A |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | root |
| 5 | E | perfect 5th |
Formula 1 5 (power chord).
More on this chord type: Power chords
Keys that contain A5
| Key | A5 is the |
|---|---|
| A major | I5 |
| A minor | I5 |
| D major | V5 |
| E major | IV5 |
| E minor | IV5 |
| C♯ minor | VI5 |
| F♯ minor | III5 |
| B minor | VII5 |
Minor keys here use the natural minor scale.
Playing A5: what goes wrong
Neither major nor minor
A5 is A and E (and a higher A) with no C♯ or C. Without a 3rd it fits under both A and Am.
Palm muting
Rest the edge of the picking-hand palm on the strings by the bridge and play x 0 2 2 x x for a short, chugging sound. Keep strings 6, 2 and 1 silent.
A5 in a key
A5 is I5 in A, IV5 in E and V5 in D. The same shape on string 6 is 5 7 7 x x x.
Related chords
Learn and practise A5
- Metronomepractise the change to A5 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 A5?
A, E: the 1, 5 of the A5 power chord.
Is A5 the same as A major?
No. A major is A, C♯, E; A5 is A and E only. Without the C♯ it is neither major nor minor.