F#m7b5 Chord (F# half-diminished) on Guitar
F#m7b5 (F# half-diminished (minor 7 flat 5)) is made of the notes F# – A – C – E. The easiest guitar fingering is 202210 (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 F#m7b5
- Press the 6th string (low E) at fret 2 (F#).
- Play the 5th string (A) open (A).
- Press the 4th string (D) at fret 2 (E).
- Press the 3rd string (G) at fret 2 (A).
- Press the 2nd string (B) at fret 1 (C).
- Play the 1st string (high e) open (E).
| String | Fret | Note | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th string (low E) | 2 | F# | R |
| 5th string (A) | 0 (open) | A | b3 |
| 4th string (D) | 2 | E | b7 |
| 3rd string (G) | 2 | A | b3 |
| 2nd string (B) | 1 | C | b5 |
| 1st string (high e) | 0 (open) | E | b7 |
What is a F# 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. F#m7b5 contains F#, A, C, E. Counted from the root F#, that is R (root), b3 (minor 3rd), b5 (diminished 5th), b7 (minor 7th). It is also written Gbm7b5; 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 F#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 F#m7b5
F#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
F#m7b5 chord FAQ
What notes are in a F#m7b5 chord?
F#m7b5 (F# half-diminished (minor 7 flat 5)) contains the notes F#, A, C, E. The formula is R–b3–b5–b7 relative to the root F#.
How do you play F#m7b5 on guitar?
The most common shape for F#m7b5 is 202210, 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 F#m7b5 an easy guitar chord?
It is rated intermediate. It needs 4 fingers and no barre.
Is F#m7b5 the same as Gbm7b5?
Yes. F# and Gb are enharmonic: they are the same pitch with different names, so F#m7b5 and Gbm7b5 sound identical on guitar. The name used depends on the key of the song.
Which keys contain F#m7b5?
F#m7b5 is a diatonic chord in G major (vii°), E minor (ii°).
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