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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

Not played

E6th string

FretMuted

Finger—

Root

ABass5th string

Fret5

Finger1 index

5th

D4th string

Fret7

Finger3 ring

Root

G3rd string

Fret7

Finger4 pinky

Not played

B2nd string

FretMuted

Finger—

Not played

e1st string

FretMuted

Finger—

NotesD – A

Formula1 – 5

Voicingx577xx

TonesD×2·A×1

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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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