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D5 (D Power Chord) Chord Guitar

The most-played power chord in grunge — the shape that opens and closes the loop.

The A-string shape at the 5th fret, sharing its pattern with C5 and D♯5.
It opens and closes the D5–C5–G5–D5 grunge loop.
That return is what makes the progression circle rather than travel.
No third means no key and no mood — it can be leant on indefinitely.

Root5th

E6th

FretMuted

Finger—

A5th

Fret5

Finger1

D4th

Fret7

Finger3

G3rd

Fret7

Finger4

B2nd

FretMuted

Finger—

e1st

FretMuted

Finger—

Notes: D – A · Formula: 1 – 5

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Questions about D5 (D Power Chord)

What notes are in a D5 (D Power Chord) chord?

A D5 (D Power Chord) chord contains the notes D, A. It is built from the formula 1 - 5, with D as the root.

Why do so many rock songs sit on a single power chord?

Because a power chord has no third, it never commits to major or minor, so your ear doesn't tire of it the way it would of a full chord. That harmonic neutrality is what lets a riff repeat for bars on end and still feel like it's driving forward.

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D5 (D Power Chord) Chord Guitar

This chord sounds even better than it looks.

Questions about D5 (D Power Chord)

What notes are in a D5 (D Power Chord) chord?

Why do so many rock songs sit on a single power chord?

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