C power chord (fifth)
How to play C5 — Power chord (fifth)
C5 (Power chord (fifth))C · G
Guitar samples: Acoustic guitar — University of Iowa (via tonejs-instruments, CC-BY 3.0)
C power chord (fifth) — notes and structure
The C5 chord is just the root and fifth (no third), so it is neither major nor minor — the backbone of rock and metal riffs.
The C5 power chord (fifth) consists of the notes C, G. Its interval structure is R–5 — the root, then each chord tone stacked above it. This is the same chord you see in the interactive finder above, drawn on the guitar fretboard with the root circled and every chord tone labelled.
C5 stacks a perfect fifth (G) above the root C.
The finder shows 2 ways to play C5 — movable shapes higher up the neck reaching up to the 10th fret. None of them need a barre.
What key is C5 in?
Every note of C5 belongs to the scales below, so the chord sounds at home in each of these keys — the roman numeral is the degree it sits on.
- C major — the I chord
- G major — the IV chord
- F major — the V chord
- B♭ major — the II chord
Chords that go with C5
In C major, the chords built on the first, fourth and fifth degrees carry most songs — put C5 next to these:
Frequently asked questions
- What notes are in the C power chord (fifth)?
- The C5 chord contains the notes C, G. It is just the root and fifth (no third), so it is neither major nor minor — the backbone of rock and metal riffs.
- How many ways can you play C5 on guitar?
- 2 voicings are shown on this page — movable shapes up the neck — each with its own fingering diagram and audio.
- Is C5 a hard chord to play?
- It is a movable shape played higher up the neck rather than in open position, so it takes a little more hand strength.
- What key does C5 belong to?
- C5 fits C major (where it is the I chord), G major (where it is the IV chord), F major (where it is the V chord) — every note of the chord is in those scales.