Abm7b5 Chord (Ab half-diminished) on Guitar
Abm7b5 (Ab half-diminished (minor 7 flat 5)) is made of the notes Ab – Cb – Ebb – Gb. The easiest guitar fingering is 420102 (low E to high e; x = muted, 0 = open). It needs 4 fingers and no barre.
Easiest shape
Alternative shape
Higher position
How to play Abm7b5
- Press the 6th string (low E) at fret 4 (Ab).
- Press the 5th string (A) at fret 2 (Cb).
- Play the 4th string (D) open (Ebb).
- Press the 3rd string (G) at fret 1 (Ab).
- Play the 2nd string (B) open (Cb).
- Press the 1st string (high e) at fret 2 (Gb).
| String | Fret | Note | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th string (low E) | 4 | Ab | R |
| 5th string (A) | 2 | Cb | b3 |
| 4th string (D) | 0 (open) | Ebb | b5 |
| 3rd string (G) | 1 | Ab | R |
| 2nd string (B) | 0 (open) | Cb | b3 |
| 1st string (high e) | 2 | Gb | b7 |
What is a Ab half-diminished (minor 7 flat 5) chord?
A half-diminished (minor 7 flat 5) chord is a diminished triad with a minor seventh. It is the seventh-degree chord of a major scale.
Notes and formula. Abm7b5 contains Ab, Cb, Ebb, Gb. Counted from the root Ab, that is R (root), b3 (minor 3rd), b5 (diminished 5th), b7 (minor 7th). It is also written G#m7b5; the two names sound identical and the name used depends on the key of the song.
Sound. Moody and sophisticated, less harsh than a fully diminished chord.
Where it is used. Used constantly in jazz as the ii chord of a minor ii-V-i progression, and in many ballads.
Tips for playing Abm7b5
It often shares its shape with a minor 6th chord. Learn them as pairs.
Common mistake: Calling it a diminished chord. A fully diminished 7th has a diminished (double-flat) seventh instead.
Keys that contain Abm7b5
Abm7b5 is a diatonic chord, meaning it occurs naturally without accidentals, in these keys:
Try it in a progression: browse chord progressions for every key.
Related chords
Abm7b5 chord FAQ
What notes are in a Abm7b5 chord?
Abm7b5 (Ab half-diminished (minor 7 flat 5)) contains the notes Ab, Cb, Ebb, Gb. The formula is R–b3–b5–b7 relative to the root Ab.
How do you play Abm7b5 on guitar?
The most common shape for Abm7b5 is 420102, read from the low E string to the high e string (x = muted, 0 = open, numbers = frets). It needs 4 fingers and no barre.
Is Abm7b5 an easy guitar chord?
It is rated intermediate. It needs 4 fingers and no barre.
Is Abm7b5 the same as G#m7b5?
Yes. Ab and G# are enharmonic: they are the same pitch with different names, so Abm7b5 and G#m7b5 sound identical on guitar. The name used depends on the key of the song.
Which keys contain Abm7b5?
Abm7b5 is a diatonic chord in A major (vii°), F# minor (ii°).
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