C#m7b5 Chord (C# half-diminished) on Guitar
C#m7b5 (C# half-diminished (minor 7 flat 5)) is made of the notes C# – E – G – B. The easiest guitar fingering is x42000 (low E to high e; x = muted, 0 = open). It needs only 2 fingers, which makes it comfortable to play.
Easiest shape
Alternative shape
How to play C#m7b5
- Press the 5th string (A) at fret 4 (C#).
- Press the 4th string (D) at fret 2 (E).
- Play the 3rd string (G) open (G).
- Play the 2nd string (B) open (B).
- Play the 1st string (high e) open (E).
- Do not play the 6th string (low E).
| String | Fret | Note | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th string (low E) | x (mute) | - | |
| 5th string (A) | 4 | C# | R |
| 4th string (D) | 2 | E | b3 |
| 3rd string (G) | 0 (open) | G | b5 |
| 2nd string (B) | 0 (open) | B | b7 |
| 1st string (high e) | 0 (open) | E | b3 |
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. C#m7b5 contains C#, E, G, B. Counted from the root C#, that is R (root), b3 (minor 3rd), b5 (diminished 5th), b7 (minor 7th). It is also written Dbm7b5; 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 C#m7b5
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 C#m7b5
C#m7b5 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
C#m7b5 chord FAQ
What notes are in a C#m7b5 chord?
C#m7b5 (C# half-diminished (minor 7 flat 5)) contains the notes C#, E, G, B. The formula is R–b3–b5–b7 relative to the root C#.
How do you play C#m7b5 on guitar?
The most common shape for C#m7b5 is x42000, read from the low E string to the high e string (x = muted, 0 = open, numbers = frets). It needs only 2 fingers, which makes it comfortable to play.
Is C#m7b5 an easy guitar chord?
It is rated advanced. It needs only 2 fingers, which makes it comfortable to play.
Is C#m7b5 the same as Dbm7b5?
Yes. C# and Db are enharmonic: they are the same pitch with different names, so C#m7b5 and Dbm7b5 sound identical on guitar. The name used depends on the key of the song.
Which keys contain C#m7b5?
C#m7b5 is a diatonic chord in D major (vii°), B minor (ii°).
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