E half-diminished chord (Em7(b5)) on piano
The E half-diminished chord (Em7(b5)) on piano has 4 notes: E, G, B flat, and D (E, G, B♭, D). With the right hand, use fingers 1-2-3-5; with the left hand, 5-3-2-1 (1 is the thumb). On the keyboard below, the root (E) has the strongest color; each key shows the note name and the degree.
- Notes
- EGB♭D
- Formula
- 1♭3♭5♭7
How to play Em7(b5) on piano
Root position · From low to high: E G B♭ D
Right hand: 1-2-3-5 Left hand: 5-3-2-1
Fingers: 1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little finger. The small dot marks middle C (C4). Tap a key to hear the note.
Em7(b5) chord inversions
Inverting a chord means putting another of its notes in the bass (the lowest key) without changing the notes. Inversions shorten the way your hand travels from one chord to the next and slightly change the color of the sound.
-
1st inversion (Em7(b5)/G)
Em7(b5)/G: G (♭3) in the bass
From low to high: G B♭ D E
-
2nd inversion (Em7(b5)/Bb)
Em7(b5)/Bb: B flat (♭5) in the bass
From low to high: B♭ D E G
-
3rd inversion (Em7(b5)/D)
Em7(b5)/D: D (♭7) in the bass
From low to high: D E G B♭
Notes and intervals of Em7(b5)
Em7(b5) (E half-diminished) is built from 4 notes. Each one fills a degree of the chord:
- E · 1 · root
- G · ♭3 · minor third
- B♭ · ♭5 · diminished fifth
- D · ♭7 · minor seventh
About the half-diminished chord
The half-diminished chord sounds tense and unstable, but less harsh than the fully diminished one. It is the ii chord of a minor key (Bm7♭5 → E7 → Am) and the vii chord of a major key; common in jazz, bolero and romantic songs in minor keys.
Other E chords
- E
- Em
- E7
- E7M
- Em7
- Em7(b5)
- E°
- E°7
- E+
- Esus2
- Esus4
- E7sus4
- E5
- Eadd9
- E6
- Em6
- E9
- Em(add9)
- Em9
- E7M(9)
- Em(7M)
- E7M(#5)
- E7(b9)
- E6(9)
- Em6(9)
- E11
- Em11
- E13
- Em13
- E7(#9)
- E7(#11)
- E7(b13)
- E7(#5)
- E7M(#11)
- E9sus4
Half-diminished: other roots
Arpeggio
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the Em7(b5) chord on piano?
Em7(b5) (E half-diminished) has the notes E, G, B♭, D. The formula is 1 · ♭3 · ♭5 · ♭7: root, minor third, diminished fifth, minor seventh.
How do you play Em7(b5) on piano?
Find the E key and add the other notes above it: E, G, B♭, D. Play them all together. With the right hand, use fingers 1-2-3-5; with the left hand, 5-3-2-1.
What are the inversions of Em7(b5)?
1st inversion (Em7(b5)/G): G B♭ D E; 2nd inversion (Em7(b5)/Bb): B♭ D E G; 3rd inversion (Em7(b5)/D): D E G B♭.
What does Em7(b5) mean?
Em7(b5) is the chord symbol for E half-diminished. The half-diminished chord sounds tense and unstable, but less harsh than the fully diminished one. It is the ii chord of a minor key (Bm7♭5 → E7 → Am) and the vii chord of a major key; common in jazz, bolero and romantic songs in minor keys.
Is the Em7(b5) chord the same on piano and keyboard?
Yes. The notes and inversions are the same on any keyboard instrument: acoustic piano, digital piano, keyboard, organ or synthesizer.