C half-diminished 7th chord on piano
Cm7♭5 is a half-diminished 7th chord built on C. It uses the notes C - E♭ - G♭ - B♭ and sounds moody and searching; it often leads to a dominant chord.
- Notes
- C E♭ G♭ B♭
- Formula
- 1 - ♭3 - ♭5 - ♭7
- Right hand fingering
- 1 - 2 - 3 - 5
- Left hand fingering
- 5 - 3 - 2 - 1
- Chord symbol
- Cm7♭5
How to play Cm7♭5 step by step
- Find C. C is the white key just left of each group of two black keys.
- Add E♭, 3 half steps above C.
- Add G♭, 6 half steps above C.
- Add B♭, 10 half steps above C.
- Press all 4 keys together with fingers 1 - 2 - 3 - 5 of your right hand. Keep your wrist level and let the weight of your arm do the work.
Cm7♭5 inversions
An inversion uses the same notes in a different order. Inversions let your hand move less between chords, which is how pianists make chord changes sound smooth.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the C half-diminished 7th chord?
The C half-diminished 7th chord (Cm7♭5) contains 4 notes: C, E♭, G♭, B♭. Its formula is 1 - ♭3 - ♭5 - ♭7.
How do you play Cm7♭5 on piano?
Put your right-hand thumb on C and play C, E♭, G♭, B♭ together using fingers 1 - 2 - 3 - 5. With the left hand, use fingers 5 - 3 - 2 - 1.