Piano Owl
chord

D♭ Fifth

The D♭ power chord (D♭5) is one of the most popular power chords in modern rock and metal, featuring only the root note (D♭) and perfect fifth with no third interval. This stripped-down structure gives power chords their signature neutral quality, allowing the D♭5 to function effectively in both major and minor tonalities without committing to either. Frequently used in drop tuning and heavy music, the D♭ power chord excels when played with distortion, where its simple two-note construction avoids the harmonic muddiness that fuller chords would create. From classic rock anthems to brutal metal breakdowns, the D♭5 provides the aggressive, chunky sound that has made power chords indispensable in guitar-driven music. The D♭5 power chord is extensively used in drop C# tuning, a favorite among modern metal bands like August Burns Red, Parkway Drive, and As I Lay Dying, where the open low string produces this exact pitch. This tuning choice provides optimal string tension for heavy palm-muted riffing while maintaining clarity in downtuned contexts alongside E♭5, F5, and G♭5. Notable songs utilizing D♭5 prominently include sections of Metallica's "Sad But True" (in D standard tuning) and numerous deathcore breakdowns, where the chord's low register and neutral quality create maximum sonic impact under high-gain amplification.

Symbol
Db5
Key
d flat
Quality
fifth
Number of Notes
2
Notes
C♯, G♯

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