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A piano reference: chords, scales, theory. Full MIDI.

C♯ 7♭5

Notes: C♯ – E♯ – G – B
Degrees: 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7
Also written: C♯7♭5Lower E♯ to E and it is C♯m7♭5; raise G to G♯ and it is C♯7. C♯ and B do not move.

The C♯ 7♭5 chord is a four-note chord made up of C♯, E♯, G, and B.

C♯ 7♭5 chord: C♯, E♯, G, B

It is built from a root, major third, diminished fifth, and minor seventh.

A dominant 7th with a lowered 5th: whole-tone color, the signature dominant of impressionism.

D♭ 7♭5
This is the same chord as D♭ 7♭5: the same keys on the keyboard, spelled with flats.

Construction

C♯ 7♭5 = Root + Major 3rd + Diminished 5th + Minor 7th = C♯, E♯, G, B
NoteIntervalDegree
C♯Root1
E♯Major 3rd3
GDiminished 5th♭5
BMinor 7th♭7

How to Play the C♯ 7♭5

Right Hand (RH)

Place your right hand over the keys with the thumb on the root. Use the fingering: 2 – 3 – 4 – 5

Left Hand (LH)

For the left hand, start with your pinky on the root. Use the fingering: 5 – 4 – 3 – 2

C♯ 7♭5 Inversions

  • Root position
    C♯ – E♯ – G – B
  • 1st inversion (C♯7♭5/E♯)
    E♯ – G – B – C♯
  • 2nd inversion (C♯7♭5/G)
    G – B – C♯ – E♯
  • 3rd inversion (C♯7♭5/B)
    B – C♯ – E♯ – G

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.

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