Chord chart for A5 Guitar Chord (A5): Notes, Shapes & How to Play | Guitar Wiz

A5 guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 141 playable shapes

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A5 guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

A5 guitar chord

A5 is the A5 guitar chord. It uses the notes A and E and the interval formula 1-5.

The A5 power chord (5th), consisting of the root (A5) and perfect fifth E, provides a bold, open sound without major or minor coloration. Its simplicity and neutrality make it a staple in rock, punk, and metal for driving rhythms and raw power.

Also written as A(no 3).

Root note: A
Quality: 5
Chord tones: 2
Playable shapes: 141

Chord tones

AE

Common guitar voicings

These are quick-start shapes for players who want the answer first and the deeper theory second.

Shape x022xx

x022xx

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string.
  3. 3 Let the fifth string ring open.
  4. 4 Strum from the 5th string down.

Shape 5x2250

5x2250

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 5th fret of the 6th string.
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 5th fret of the 2nd string.
  5. 5 Let the first string ring open.
  6. 6 Strum from the 6th string down.

Notes & Intervals

Each note below shows how the chord is built from its root. This is the theory layer underneath the fretboard shapes.

A Unison (Root) 1

The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.

E Perfect Fifth 5

The fifth reinforces stability and gives the chord its strong harmonic frame.

Shape details

Every shape is shown with its diagram and exact fingering instructions.

A5 shape x022xx

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Let the fifth string ring open
  4. 4 Do not play the sixth, second, and first strings
  5. 5 Strum from the fifth string down to the third string

A5 shape 5x2250

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 5th fret of the 6th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 5th fret of the 2nd string
  5. 5 Let the first string ring open
  6. 6 Do not play the fifth string
  7. 7 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

A5 shape x02250

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 5th fret of the 2nd string
  4. 4 Let the fifth and first strings ring open
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth string
  6. 6 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

A5 shape 502250

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 5th fret of the 6th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 5th fret of the 2nd string
  5. 5 Let the fifth and first strings ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

A5 shape 5x2255

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string and 4th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 5th fret of the 6th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 5th fret of the 2nd string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 5th fret of the 1st string
  5. 5 Do not play the fifth string
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

A5 shape x02255

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 5th fret of the 1st string and 2nd string in barre position
  4. 4 Let the fifth string ring open
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth string
  6. 6 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

A5 shape 502255

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string and 4th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 5th fret of the 6th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 5th fret of the 2nd string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 5th fret of the 1st string
  5. 5 Let the fifth string ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

A5 shape xx79a0

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 3rd finger on the 9th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 10th fret of the 2nd string
  4. 4 Let the first string ring open
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth and fifth strings
  6. 6 Strum from the fourth string down to the first string

Quick answers

What notes are in A5?

A5 uses the notes A and E. Its interval formula is 1-5.

What is another name for A5?

A5 is also written as A(no 3).

How do you play A5 on guitar?

Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string. Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string. Let the fifth string ring open. Strum from the 5th string down.

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