The B 7♭5 chord is a four-note chord made up of B, D♯, F, and A. It is built from a root, major third, diminished fifth, and minor seventh.
Construction
B 7♭5 = Root + Major 3rd + Diminished 5th + Minor 7th = B · D♯ · F · A
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| B | Root | 1 |
| D♯ | Major 3rd | 3 |
| F | Diminished 5th | ♭5 |
| A | Minor 7th | ♭7 |
B 7♭5 Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | B – D♯ – F – A |
| 1st Inversion | D♯ – F – A – B |
| 2nd Inversion | F – A – B – D♯ |
| 3rd Inversion | A – B – D♯ – F |
Key Signature
A chord has no key signature of its own, but the B 7♭5 is the tonic (I) chord of B Major, whose key signature has 5 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯).
F♯C♯G♯D♯A♯
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 B Major
These are the triads built on each degree of the B major scale:
Same Notes, Other Names
The notes B – D♯ – F – A aren’t exclusive to this chord. Depending on which note is the bass and how the chord functions, the same pitches also spell:
B 7♭5 — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the B 7♭5 chord on piano?
The B 7♭5 chord contains the notes B – D♯ – F – A. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the B 7♭5 chord?
The B 7♭5 chord (B7♭5) contains 4 notes: B, D#, F, A. Formula: R-M3-d5-m7.
How is B7♭5 used in music?
B7♭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 B7♭5?
B7♭5 uses scale degrees 1-3-b5-b7, giving it its distinctive sound.