Guitar chord guide
E5 Power Chord
E5 contains only the root and fifth, so it works over major or minor harmony. Its direct sound is the foundation of rock, punk and metal rhythm guitar.
Fingerings
How to play E5
Why this shape works
Removing the third makes the chord harmonically neutral and especially clear through distortion.
Clean fingering tip
Mute the unused strings with both hands and practise short palm-muted eighth notes before adding speed.
Common mistake
Too much gain hides the pick attack. Use less distortion than expected and let tight muting create the heaviness.
Check every string
Pick from the lowest included string to the highest. A note should either ring clearly or be deliberately muted. Accidental half-muted strings are what make a chord feel weak.
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