Guitar chord
E Power Chord
An E5 power chord shape using the low E string root.
- Symbol
- E5
- Chord tones
- E, B
- Formula
- 1 5
- Tuning
- Standard
- Frets, low to high
- 0 2 2 X X X
- Fingers, low to high
- - 1 2 - - -
Chord fingering diagram
Read the chart vertically with the nut at the top. X means mute the string, markers above the nut are played open, and numbered markers show fretting-hand fingers.
How to play E5
Fretting hand
Place finger 1 on the 5th string at fret 2 and finger 2 on the 4th string at fret 2. Fret each note close behind the fret wire without resting directly on it.
Clean sound check
Let the 6th string ring open. Keep the 3rd string, 2nd string, and 1st string muted. Arch the fretting fingers so their sides do not silence neighboring strings, then pick every sounding string separately. Lightly touch the unused higher strings with the fretting hand to keep them quiet during forceful picking.
Sound and use
E5 contains only the root and perfect fifth, so it does not define major or minor quality. The compact voicing works especially well for riffs, distortion, and movable rhythm-guitar shapes.
Chord tone reference
Use the matching arpeggio page to study the same notes across the full fretboard, or open those chord tones directly in the interactive tool.
More E chords
Keep the root fixed and compare how the third, seventh, suspended tones, or added tones change the sound.
More Power Chord chord shapes
Practice the same chord quality from other roots to reinforce its interval sound and common fingering patterns.