Which strings do I strum for A power chord?

3 strings, from the A string down to the thin e. Skip the thick E and B and thin e strings.

What notes are in an A power chord?

A, E. The A is the root, the note the chord is named after. There is no third, so it is neither major nor minor.

What chords go with A5?

Its neighbours on the circle of fifths, D and E, and its relative minor, F#m. Songs move between these because they share notes.

power chord

How to play A power chord on guitar

The same two-note shape as E5, one string higher. Root on the A string.

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Where the fingers go

1
index finger, D string, fret 2
Count from the thick string: E A D.
2
ring finger, G string, fret 2
Count from the thick string: E A D G.
3
Leave the A string open
They ring without any finger. They are part of the chord.
4
Strum 3 strings, from the A string down
Skip the thick E and B and thin e. They would add a note that does not belong.

The same shape seen along the neck, thin e on top. Numbers are fingers; 0 is an open string.

The notes in A5

A chord is three or four notes played together. A power chord is built from these:

Note	Job in the chord	Where it is in this shape
A	root	A string, open; G string, fret 2
E	fifth	D string, fret 2

The root, A, is the note it is named after. There is no third in this chord, the note that would make it major or minor, which is why it sounds neither major nor minor, just strong.

Where it sits on the circle of fifths

The circle of fifths lines up the twelve keys so that neighbours share the most notes. Chords next to each other on the circle sound good one after the other, which is why songs move between them.

D and E are A5’s neighbours. Most songs in A5 use one or both.
F#m is its relative minor: the same notes, a different home. Swapping between them changes the mood without changing your hand much.

The mistake everyone makes

Watch out

Strumming the thick E

Start on the A string and stop after the G. Three strings only.

Tip

E5 and A5 together

Most rock riffs move between these two shapes. Learn the change and you can play along with a lot.

Songs that use it

Rock riffs and punk in A and E.

None of the songs on the site use A5 yet. It is coming with the next batch.

Questions people ask

Which strings do I strum for A power chord?: 3 strings, from the A string down to the thin e. Skip the thick E and B and thin e strings.
What notes are in an A power chord?: A, E. The A is the root, the note the chord is named after. There is no third, so it is neither major nor minor.
What chords go with A5?: Its neighbours on the circle of fifths, D and E, and its relative minor, F#m. Songs move between these because they share notes.