Bm7b5 Chord (B half-diminished) on Guitar
Bm7b5 (B half-diminished (minor 7 flat 5)) is made of the notes B – D – F – A. The easiest guitar fingering is x20201 (low E to high e; x = muted, 0 = open). It needs 3 fingers and no barre.
Easiest shape
Alternative shape
How to play Bm7b5
- Press the 5th string (A) at fret 2 (B).
- Play the 4th string (D) open (D).
- Press the 3rd string (G) at fret 2 (A).
- Play the 2nd string (B) open (B).
- Press the 1st string (high e) at fret 1 (F).
- Do not play the 6th string (low E).
| String | Fret | Note | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th string (low E) | x (mute) | - | |
| 5th string (A) | 2 | B | R |
| 4th string (D) | 0 (open) | D | b3 |
| 3rd string (G) | 2 | A | b7 |
| 2nd string (B) | 0 (open) | B | R |
| 1st string (high e) | 1 | F | b5 |
What is a B 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. Bm7b5 contains B, D, F, A. Counted from the root B, that is R (root), b3 (minor 3rd), b5 (diminished 5th), b7 (minor 7th).
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 Bm7b5
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 Bm7b5
Bm7b5 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
Bm7b5 chord FAQ
What notes are in a Bm7b5 chord?
Bm7b5 (B half-diminished (minor 7 flat 5)) contains the notes B, D, F, A. The formula is R–b3–b5–b7 relative to the root B.
How do you play Bm7b5 on guitar?
The most common shape for Bm7b5 is x20201, read from the low E string to the high e string (x = muted, 0 = open, numbers = frets). It needs 3 fingers and no barre.
Is Bm7b5 an easy guitar chord?
It is rated advanced. It needs 3 fingers and no barre.
Which keys contain Bm7b5?
Bm7b5 is a diatonic chord in C major (vii°), A minor (ii°).
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