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C5 Chord on Guitar

C5 is the C power chord chord — 2 notes (C, G) built from the formula 1 5. Below are playable shapes across the fretboard, the keys it belongs to and the scales to use when soloing over it.

Notes: C · GFormula: 1 · 5Hear it and see it on the fretboard ▸

C5: Chord shapes (open & barre)

  • C5 – fret 1××××R5fret 1
  • C5 – fret 3×R5R××fret 3
  • C5 – fret 55×××R5Rfret 5
  • C5 – fret 88R5R×××fret 8
  • C5 – fret 1010××R5R×fret 10
  • C5 – fret 1313××××R5fret 13

Keys that contain C5

Scales to play over C5

Ordered from the most common choice. All of them contain C, G.

Other C chords

Triads

Sevenths

Sixths

Added

Extended

Power chord chords in other keys

FAQ

What notes are in the C5 chord?
C5 (C power chord) contains C, G — formula 1 5.
How do you play C5 on guitar?
A common shape is xxxx13 (low E to high E, x = muted string, around fret 1). This page shows more shapes, drop 2, drop 3 and shell voicings in the interactive library.
What scale goes with C5?
Good choices to solo over C5: C Minor pentatonic, C Aeolian (Minor), C Ionian (Major).
What key is C5 in?
C5 is diatonic in C major (I5), E♭ major (VI5), F major (V5), G major (IV5), A♭ major (III5), B♭ major (II5).