Chord chart for A5 / E (1st inversion) Guitar Chord: Notes, Shapes & Bass Note | Guitar Wiz

A5/E guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 221 playable shapes

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A5 / E (1st inversion) guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

A5 / E (1st inversion)

A5/E is the A5 / E (1st inversion) guitar chord with E in the bass. 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. With E in the bass, this voicing functions as the 1st inversion of A5.

Also written as A5 and A(no 3)/E.

Root note: A
Bass note: E
Chord tones: 2
Playable shapes: 221

Chord tones

AE

Common guitar voicings

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

Shape xx2250

xx2250

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 4th finger on the 5th fret of the 2nd string.
  4. 4 Let the first string ring open.
  5. 5 Strum from the 4th string down.

Shape 002250

002250

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 4th finger on the 5th fret of the 2nd string.
  4. 4 Let the sixth, fifth, and first strings ring open.
  5. 5 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/E shape xx2250

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 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

A5/E shape 002250

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 sixth, fifth, and first strings ring open
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

A5/E shape xx2255

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 Do not play the sixth and fifth strings
  5. 5 Strum from the fourth string down to the first string

A5/E shape 002255

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 sixth and fifth strings ring open
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

A5/E shape x779a0

How to play this shape

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

A5/E shape 0779a0

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 5th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the 4th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 9th fret of the 3rd string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 10th fret of the 2nd string
  5. 5 Let the sixth and first strings ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

A5/E shape 0079a0

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 sixth, fifth, and first strings ring open
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

A5/E shape 00xxxx

How to play this shape

Quick answers

What notes are in A5/E?

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

What is another name for A5/E?

A5/E is also written as A5 and A(no 3)/E.

How do you play A5/E 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. Place the 4th finger on the 5th fret of the 2nd string. Let the first string ring open. Strum from the 4th string down.

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