Chord chart for E5 Guitar Chord (E5): Notes, Shapes & How to Play | Guitar Wiz

E5 guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 241 playable shapes

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E5 guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

E5 guitar chord

E5 is the E5 guitar chord. It uses the notes E and B and the interval formula 1-5.

The E5 power chord (5th), consisting of the root (E5) and perfect fifth B, 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 E(no 3).

Root note: E
Quality: 5
Chord tones: 2
Playable shapes: 241

Chord tones

EB

Common guitar voicings

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

Shape 022400

022400

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

Shape 022xxx

022xxx

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string.
  3. 3 Let the sixth string ring open.
  4. 4 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.

E Unison (Root) 1

The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.

B 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.

E5 shape 022400

How to play this shape

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

E5 shape 022xxx

How to play this shape

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

E5 shape xx2400

How to play this shape

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

E5 shape x79907

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

E5 shape 079907

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

E5 shape x79900

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 5th string
  2. 2 Place the 3rd finger on the 9th fret of the 4th string
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 9th fret of the 3rd string
  4. 4 Let the second 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

E5 shape 079900

How to play this shape

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

E5 shape xx2450

How to play this shape

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

Quick answers

What notes are in E5?

E5 uses the notes E and B. Its interval formula is 1-5.

What is another name for E5?

E5 is also written as E(no 3).

How do you play E5 on guitar?

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

Related Articles

Articles that reference this chord and explain how to use it in your playing.