Dm7b5 Chord (D half-diminished) on Guitar
Dm7b5 (D half-diminished (minor 7 flat 5)) is made of the notes D – F – Ab – C. The easiest guitar fingering is xx0111 (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.
Easiest shape
Alternative shape
Higher position
How to play Dm7b5
- Play the 4th string (D) open (D).
- Press the 3rd string (G) at fret 1 (Ab).
- Press the 2nd string (B) at fret 1 (C).
- Press the 1st string (high e) at fret 1 (F).
- Do not play the 6th string (low E).
- Do not play the 5th string (A).
| String | Fret | Note | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th string (low E) | x (mute) | - | |
| 5th string (A) | x (mute) | - | |
| 4th string (D) | 0 (open) | D | R |
| 3rd string (G) | 1 | Ab | b5 |
| 2nd string (B) | 1 | C | b7 |
| 1st string (high e) | 1 | F | b3 |
What is a D 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. Dm7b5 contains D, F, Ab, C. Counted from the root D, 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 Dm7b5
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 Dm7b5
Dm7b5 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
Dm7b5 chord FAQ
What notes are in a Dm7b5 chord?
Dm7b5 (D half-diminished (minor 7 flat 5)) contains the notes D, F, Ab, C. The formula is R–b3–b5–b7 relative to the root D.
How do you play Dm7b5 on guitar?
The most common shape for Dm7b5 is xx0111, 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 Dm7b5 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 Dm7b5?
Dm7b5 is a diatonic chord in Eb major (vii°), C minor (ii°).
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