Guitar arpeggio

Ab Power Chord Guitar Arpeggio

Ab Power Chord is a two-note arpeggio built from Ab, and Eb. It is also commonly called AbFifth and Ab5. Use it to study chord tones, interval formulas, and guitar fretboard positions.

Chord tones
Ab, Eb
Formula
1 5
Semitones
0 7
Chord symbols
Ab5
Also called
AbFifthAb5

How to read this arpeggio

The chord tones are shown as pitch classes first. In the fretboard tool, square markers represent Ab root notes, while circular markers represent the remaining tones in the arpeggio.

Use the interactive fretboard to locate the Ab root notes and connect the remaining power chord chord tones across standard tuning.

This same arpeggio shape is also commonly called AbFifth or Ab5.

Chord construction and defining tones

1Ab
5Eb

Ab power chord uses only 1 (Ab) and 5 (Eb). With no third, the shape does not specify a major or minor quality.

Harmonic use

Use this two-note structure over Ab5, riffs, and harmonically ambiguous passages where the root-and-fifth sound should remain direct.

Practice this arpeggio on guitar

  1. Play the Ab Power Chord arpeggio from one Ab root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and interval degree aloud.
  2. Find 1 (Ab) and 5 (Eb) on every adjacent string pair and play them in both directions.
  3. Build a Ab-centered riff that alternates single notes, octaves, and root-fifth shapes without adding a third.

Fretboard diagram

Ab Power Chord Guitar Arpeggio fretboard diagram in standard tuning
Ab Power Chord Guitar Arpeggio fretboard diagram in standard tuning.

Open this arpeggio in the fretboard tool

Start with Ab Power Chord loaded, then adjust tuning, labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Arpeggio diagrams by tuning