The C♯ 7♭5 chord is a four-note chord made up of C♯, E♯, G, and B. It is built from a root, major third, diminished fifth, and minor seventh.
Construction
C♯ 7♭5 = Root + Major 3rd + Diminished 5th + Minor 7th = C♯ · E♯ · G · B
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| C♯ | Root | 1 |
| E♯ | Major 3rd | 3 |
| G | Diminished 5th | ♭5 |
| B | Minor 7th | ♭7 |
C♯ 7♭5 Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | C♯ – E♯ – G – B |
| 1st Inversion | E♯ – G – B – C♯ |
| 2nd Inversion | G – B – C♯ – E♯ |
| 3rd Inversion | B – C♯ – E♯ – G |
Key Signature
A chord has no key signature of its own, but the C♯ 7♭5 is the tonic (I) chord of C# Major, whose key signature has 7 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯, B♯).
F♯C♯G♯D♯A♯E♯B♯
Order of sharps
Sharps are added to a key signature in a fixed order. Each new sharp key adds the next sharp on the list.
F♯C♯G♯D♯A♯E♯B♯
Mnemonic: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle
Chords in the Key of C♯ Major
These are the triads built on each degree of the C♯ major scale:
Same Notes, Other Names
The notes C♯ – E♯ – G – B aren’t exclusive to this chord. Depending on which note is the bass and how the chord functions, the same pitches also spell:
C♯ 7♭5 — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the C♯ 7♭5 chord on piano?
The C♯ 7♭5 chord contains the notes C♯ – E♯ – G – B. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the C# 7♭5 chord?
The C# 7♭5 chord (C#7♭5) contains 4 notes: C#, F, G, B. Formula: R-M3-d5-m7.
How is C#7♭5 used in music?
C#7♭5 is used in jazz, fusion, and contemporary music to add harmonic color. It appears as a dominant or tonic chord depending on context.
What is the scale degree formula for C#7♭5?
C#7♭5 uses scale degrees 1-3-b5-b7, giving it its distinctive sound.