Cm7b5 Chord (C half-diminished) on Guitar
Cm7b5 (C half-diminished (minor 7 flat 5)) is made of the notes C – Eb – Gb – Bb. The easiest guitar fingering is 8988xx (low E to high e; x = muted, 0 = open). It uses a barre, so it is more demanding than an open chord. Expect it to take some practice to sound clean.
Main shape
Alternative shape
How to play Cm7b5
- Press the 6th string (low E) at fret 8 (C).
- Press the 5th string (A) at fret 9 (Gb).
- Press the 4th string (D) at fret 8 (Bb).
- Press the 3rd string (G) at fret 8 (Eb).
- Do not play the 2nd string (B).
- Do not play the 1st string (high e).
| String | Fret | Note | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th string (low E) | 8 | C | R |
| 5th string (A) | 9 | Gb | b5 |
| 4th string (D) | 8 | Bb | b7 |
| 3rd string (G) | 8 | Eb | b3 |
| 2nd string (B) | x (mute) | - | |
| 1st string (high e) | x (mute) | - |
What is a C 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. Cm7b5 contains C, Eb, Gb, Bb. Counted from the root C, 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 Cm7b5
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 Cm7b5
Cm7b5 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
Cm7b5 chord FAQ
What notes are in a Cm7b5 chord?
Cm7b5 (C half-diminished (minor 7 flat 5)) contains the notes C, Eb, Gb, Bb. The formula is R–b3–b5–b7 relative to the root C.
How do you play Cm7b5 on guitar?
The most common shape for Cm7b5 is 8988xx, read from the low E string to the high e string (x = muted, 0 = open, numbers = frets). It uses a barre, so it is more demanding than an open chord. Expect it to take some practice to sound clean.
Is Cm7b5 an easy guitar chord?
It is rated intermediate. It uses a barre, so it is more demanding than an open chord. Expect it to take some practice to sound clean.
Which keys contain Cm7b5?
Cm7b5 is a diatonic chord in C# major (vii°), Bb minor (ii°).
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