What is A5?
The A5 guitar chord is formed by the notes A – E and is played using the fingering x022xx. It’s a power chord commonly used in A5-D5-G5.
A5 Chord Diagram
Standard Position
6th (E) string: Don't play
5th (A) string: Open
4th (D) string: 2th fret
3rd (G) string: 2th fret
2nd (B) string: Don't play
1st (E) string: Don't play
How to Play A5
- Place fingertips close to the fret wire using the diagram x022xx.
- Arch fingers so they don’t touch adjacent strings; keep thumb behind the neck.
- Pick each string to check for buzz or mute; adjust pressure and curl.
- Strum slow down-strums; add down–down–up–up–down–up when clean.
Pro Tip: Practice chord changes with a metronome at 70–90 BPM for one-minute rounds.
A5 Variations
A5 (5th fret)
577xxx
Higher voicing on the 5th fret
A5 (octave)
x02255
Add octave for fuller sound
A5 (barre)
577xxx
Moveable barre form
Popular Songs Using A5
Famous Examples:
- • Back in Black
- • Thunderstruck
- • You Shook Me All Night Long
- • Smoke on the Water
More Hits:
- • Wild Thing
- • Louie Louie
- • Come As You Are
Common Chord Progressions with A5
A5-D5-G5
AC/DC style progression
A5-E5-F#5
Metal progression in A
A5-G5-D5
A popular progression used in many songs
Practice Tips for A5
1. AC/DC Essential
Cornerstone of hard rock rhythm guitar
2. String Muting
Keep unused strings quiet for clean sound
3. Moveable Shape
This shape works anywhere on the neck
Music Theory Behind A5
Notes in A5: A - E
Scale: A - B - C# - D - E - F# - G# - A
Key Signature: Three sharps (F#, C#, G#)
Relative Major: F#5
A5 is built on the root (A) and fifth (E). Essential for hard rock and metal, providing power without harmonic complexity.
Related Chords to Learn
Master A5 Today!
A5 is perfect for beginners. Practice daily and you'll have it mastered in no time!