C5 chord: power chord
C5 is the power chord on C: C and G (1–5). C5 stacks the root C and the perfect fifth G. The power chord has only the root and the fifth, with no third.
Notes in C5: C – GFormula: 1 – 5In the formula, the numbers count steps of the major scale starting from the note that names the chord; "b" lowers a half step, "#" raises one — and a slash names the bass note.
Without the third it is neither major nor minor — a neutral, strong sound that takes distortion well.
The same chord on all four instruments
Where to use it
Rock, riffs and textures where the third would get in the way of the low-end weight.
Part of the Triads family.