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Chord chart for C5 Guitar Chord (C5): Notes, Shapes & How to Play | Guitar Wiz

C5 guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 79 playable shapes

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C5 guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

C5 guitar chord

C5 is the C5 guitar chord. It uses the notes C and G and the interval formula 1-5.

The C5 power chord (5th), consisting of the root (C5) and perfect fifth G, 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 C(no 3).

Root note: C
Quality: 5
Chord tones: 2
Playable shapes: 79

Chord tones

CG

Common guitar voicings

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

Shape x355xx

x355xx

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

Shape xxa088

xxa088

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 8th fret of the 2nd string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 8th fret of the 1st string.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 10th fret of the 4th string.
  4. 4 Let the third string ring open.
  5. 5 Strum from the 4th 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.

C Unison (Root) 1

The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.

G 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.

C5 shape x355xx

How to play this shape

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

C5 shape xxa088

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 8th fret of the 2nd string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 8th fret of the 1st string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 10th fret of the 4th string
  4. 4 Let the third 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

C5 shape 8xa088

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 8th fret of the 6th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 8th fret of the 1st string and 2nd string in barre position
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 10th fret of the 4th string
  4. 4 Let the third string ring open
  5. 5 Do not play the fifth string
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

C5 shape 8aa088

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 8th fret of the 6th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 8th fret of the 1st string and 2nd string in barre position
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 10th fret of the 5th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 10th fret of the 4th string
  5. 5 Let the third string ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

C5 shape 8x5588

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 5th fret of the 3rd string and 4th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 8th fret of the 6th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 8th fret of the 2nd string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 8th 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

C5 shape 8x5088

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 5th fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 8th fret of the 6th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 8th fret of the 2nd string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 8th fret of the 1st string
  5. 5 Let the third string ring open
  6. 6 Do not play the fifth string
  7. 7 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

C5 shape x3x0xx

How to play this shape

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

C5 shape x3x01x

How to play this shape

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

Quick answers

What notes are in C5?

C5 uses the notes C and G. Its interval formula is 1-5.

What is another name for C5?

C5 is also written as C(no 3).

How do you play C5 on guitar?

Place the 1st finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th string. Place the 3rd finger on the 5th fret of the 4th string. Place the 4th finger on the 5th fret of the 3rd string. Strum from the 5th string down.

Related Articles

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