D5 Chord on Guitar
Notes D A. Start with open D5 (x x 0 2 3 x): open D string, index on string 3 fret 2, middle on string 2 fret 3.
Chord · D5 power chord
Open D5 (root on string 4) · x x 0 2 3 x
open strings
Power chord, root on string 5 (fret 5) · x 5 7 7 x x
movable, no open strings
Power chord, root on string 6 (fret 10) · 10 12 12 x x x
movable, no open strings
1 D5 A
- String 6 (low E): muted, do not play
- String 5 (A): muted, do not play
- String 4 (D): open
- String 3 (G): index (1), fret 2
- String 2 (B): middle (2), fret 3
- String 1 (high e): muted, do not play
- String 6 (low E): muted, do not play
- String 5 (A): index (1), fret 5
- String 4 (D): ring (3), fret 7
- String 3 (G): pinky (4), fret 7
- String 2 (B): muted, do not play
- String 1 (high e): muted, do not play
- String 6 (low E): index (1), fret 10
- String 5 (A): ring (3), fret 12
- String 4 (D): pinky (4), fret 12
- String 3 (G): muted, do not play
- String 2 (B): muted, do not play
- String 1 (high e): muted, do not play
Notes and formula
| Degree | Note | Interval from D |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | root |
| 5 | A | perfect 5th |
Formula 1 5 (power chord).
More on this chord type: Power chords
Keys that contain D5
| Key | D5 is the |
|---|---|
| D major | I5 |
| D minor | I5 |
| G major | V5 |
| A major | IV5 |
| A minor | IV5 |
| F♯ minor | VI5 |
| B minor | III5 |
| E minor | VII5 |
Minor keys here use the natural minor scale.
Playing D5: what goes wrong
Neither major nor minor
D5 is D and A (plus a higher D) with no F♯ or F. Without a 3rd it fits both D and Dm, which is why it is common in rock and punk.
Palm muting
Rest the edge of the picking-hand palm on the strings by the bridge and play x x 0 2 3 x for a short, dry chug. Keep strings 6, 5 and 1 silent.
D5 in a key
D5 is I5 in D, IV5 in A and V5 in G. Slide x 5 7 7 x x along string 5, or 10 12 12 x x x along string 6, for the same chord.
Related chords
Learn and practise D5
- Metronomepractise the change to D5 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 D5?
D, A: the 1, 5 of the D5 power chord.
Is D5 the same as D major?
No. D major is D, F♯, A; D5 is D and A only. Without the F♯ it is neither major nor minor.