E5 chord (E power chord) on guitar

How to finger E5, which notes it contains and which chords it is played with. Tap the diagram to hear it, then play it below in a progression with other chords.

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About the E5 chord

E5 is E power chord. Notes: E – B. Formula: 1 – 5.

Difficulty: easy (power chord) (1 out of 3). Two or three strings and one shape you can slide along the neck: fine from the first weeks. The chord is common, especially in blues, rock and pop, so it is worth knowing after the basics.

How to place your fingers

  • Press: string 5 (A) — fret 2; string 4 (D) — fret 2
  • Open strings (no finger): string 6 (E)
  • Do not play (mute): string 3 (G); string 2 (B); string 1 (e)

Where it appears

E5 is found in these keys: E (I), B (IV), A (V).

Progressions with E5

Every progression starts on E5 and all its chords come from one key, so the changes sound natural. Play them in the block above; the Roman numerals show each chord's degree.

  • E5 – A5 – B5 – A5 (I5 – IV5 – V5 – IV5)
  • E5 – D5 – A5 – E5 (I5 – bVII5 – IV5 – I5)

Try it in practice

Practise chord changes

Other popular chords

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