B Power Chord
Chord Tones: B Power Chord
Symbol: 5 — Formula: 1-5
| Degree | Note | Frequency (A=440, Equal) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | 493.883 Hz |
| 5 | F# | 369.994 Hz |
Chord Notation
| Notation Type | Symbol / Value |
|---|---|
| Lead Sheet Symbol | B5 |
| All Common Symbols | 5 |
| Interval Formula | 1-5 |
| Harmonic Category | open/neutral |
Roman numeral (e.g. I, IV, V) and Nashville Number notation are key-dependent. See Keys pages for chord function within specific keys.
Inversions
| Inversion | Notes (low to high) | Bass Note | Slash Notation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root Position | B – F# | B | B Power Chord |
| First Inversion | F# – B | F# | B Power Chord/F# |
Harmonic Function
The B power chord commonly functions as the leading tone (vii) in C major or dominant (V) in E major. Its harmonic role varies by key — in major keys it provides stable harmonic grounding.
The power chord consists of only the root and fifth, omitting the third entirely. It is neither major nor minor and sounds powerful and full, especially with distortion in rock and metal music.
Common Progressions
The B Power Chord frequently appears in these progression patterns (shown in Roman numeral notation relative to key):
I5-IV5-V5
Songs Featuring the Power Chord
Well-known songs where the B Power Chord — or this chord type — plays a prominent role:
- Smoke on the Water – Deep Purple
- Iron Man – Black Sabbath
- Enter Sandman – Metallica
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| B | 493.883 Hz | 495.000 Hz | 490.548 Hz |
| F# | 369.994 Hz | 371.251 Hz | 367.911 Hz |
Scales Containing the B Power Chord
These scales include the B Power Chord as a diatonic or characteristic chord: