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C5 (C Power Chord) Chord Guitar

The A-string power chord shape — brighter, tighter, and just as moveable.

The A-string root shape — the same pattern, one string up.
Shares its shape family with D5 and D♯5.
Sounds brighter and tighter than the low-E power chords.
The second chord of the D5–C5–G5–D5 grunge progression.

Root5th

E6th

FretMuted

Finger—

A5th

Fret3

Finger1

D4th

Fret5

Finger3

G3rd

Fret5

Finger4

B2nd

FretMuted

Finger—

e1st

FretMuted

Finger—

Notes: C – G · Formula: 1 – 5

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Questions about C5 (C Power Chord)

What notes are in a C5 (C Power Chord) chord?

A C5 (C Power Chord) chord contains the notes C, G. It is built from the formula 1 - 5, with C as the root.

When would I use an A-string power chord instead of a low-E one?

Mostly for two reasons: the note you want is simply closer on the A string, or the riff needs to cut rather than rumble. Sixth-string power chords carry more low-end weight; fifth-string ones sit above the mix, which matters when a bassist is already occupying the bottom.

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C5 (C Power Chord) Chord Guitar

This chord sounds even better than it looks.

Questions about C5 (C Power Chord)

What notes are in a C5 (C Power Chord) chord?

When would I use an A-string power chord instead of a low-E one?

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