Building chords from the 5 string

Building chords from the 5 string!

Building chords from the 5 string. We know the C scale has no flats or sharps and also that we can play Major chords (triads) with the 1, 3 and 5 scale notes. We can figure that combination out from any note on the 5th string! For instance a C Major is made of a C, and E and a G (1,3 and 5): C D E F G A B C

We know that the “two strings up and two frets back” rule can give us the same note but an octave up. We can do that from the 6 string and the 5 string. Let’s concentrate on the 5 string first. So C on the 5 string is at the 3rd fret and consequently, on the 5th fret of the G string. That gives us our one note in two places!

Starting with C on the 3rd fret of the A string, we can see D on the open D string, E on the 2nd fret, F on the 3rd and G on the 5th. The G on the 5th fret is important to us! Now we have 1 and 5, we just need 3!

Starting with C on the 3rd fret of the A string, we can see D on the open D string, E on the 2nd fret, F on the 3rd and G on the 5th. The G on the 5th fret is important to us! Now we have 1 and 5, we just need 3!

We already had our one note, using the “two string up and two frets back” idea, so that gives us another 1 note at the 5th fret. Excellent! But we still need our 3 note, so if we look at the open B (2) string, we can count up one fret to C then two frets to D and two more frets to E. And that’s all we need to make a C Major chord!

Visit and subscribe to my YouTube Channel

Hello! I hope you find this material helpful for your own personal music journey.

As a patron of Paul Elwood Guitar Coach, your suggestions for song demos, lessons and technique tutorials determine what I’m going to work on next! Want to see how to play a solo fingerstyle version of your favorite tune?  just let me know! 

So, if you find my stuff is useful, help a fella out and let’s get working on your next tune. See you soon!