Piano chord
C5 Power Chord
C5 is a power chord built on C. It contains the notes C – G.
C5
Also written: C(no3)
- C
- G
Notes in C5
Count up from C using the intervals below. The formula shows each note relative to the C major scale.
| Notes | Intervals | Formula | Semitones |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | Root | 1 | 0 |
| G | Perfect 5th | 5 | 7 |
How to play C5 on piano
- Right hand: thumb on C, 4th or 5th finger on the 5th above it.
- Left hand: 5th finger on C, thumb on the 5th — or add the octave for a bigger sound.
- Leave out the 3rd on purpose: that is what makes it a power chord.
C5 inversions
An inversion puts a different note of C5 at the bottom. The notes stay the same, the colour and voice leading change.
Root position
C5C – G
1st inversion
C5/GG – C
About power chord chords
Just the root and the 5th — no 3rd, so it is neither major nor minor. On piano it gives a hollow, powerful sound in the left hand; on guitar it is the backbone of rock.
Sound: Raw & powerful
Songs that use it
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · NirvanaGrunge
- Smoke on the Water · Deep PurpleRock
Keys that contain C5
C5 is built only from notes of these keys. The Roman numeral shows its role in each key.
Hear C5 with different sounds and compare it with other chords in the interactive builder.
Open in the chord builderPractising on an acoustic piano that sounds off?
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