The E half-diminished chord (Em7b5) is made of the notes E, G, Bb and D. It is built from the root E with a minor third, a diminished fifth and a minor seventh.
The half-diminished chord (m7b5) is the second-degree chord of minor keys; very common in jazz.
E half-diminished
Notes: E – G – Bb – D
Guitar — positions on the neck
Piano — root position and inversions
Fingerings and positions
On guitar, this chord can be played in 5 ways along the neck. It is most often played with a barre. Example fingering (from the low E string to the high E string, x = muted string): 0100xx. On piano, the right hand plays 4 notes, in root position or in an inversion.
Notes and intervals
Note
Interval
E
root
G
minor third
Bb
diminished fifth
D
minor seventh
In which keys? The E half-diminished chord is the viiø7 of F major and the iiø7 of D minor.
What are the notes of the E half-diminished chord?
The notes of the E half-diminished chord (Em7b5) are E, G, Bb and D.
How do you play the E half-diminished chord on guitar?
On guitar, this chord can be played in 5 ways along the neck. It is most often played with a barre. Example fingering (from the low E string to the high E string, x = muted string): 0100xx.
How is the E half-diminished chord built?
The E half-diminished chord (Em7b5) is made of the notes E, G, Bb and D. It is built from the root E with a minor third, a diminished fifth and a minor seventh.