The D 7♭5 chord is a four-note chord made up of D, F♯, A♭, and C. It is built from a root, major third, diminished fifth, and minor seventh.
Construction
D 7♭5 = Root + Major 3rd + Diminished 5th + Minor 7th = D · F♯ · A♭ · C
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| D | Root | 1 |
| F♯ | Major 3rd | 3 |
| A♭ | Diminished 5th | ♭5 |
| C | Minor 7th | ♭7 |
D 7♭5 Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | D – F♯ – A♭ – C |
| 1st Inversion | F♯ – A♭ – C – D |
| 2nd Inversion | A♭ – C – D – F♯ |
| 3rd Inversion | C – D – F♯ – A♭ |
Key Signature
A chord has no key signature of its own, but the D 7♭5 is the tonic (I) chord of D Major, whose key signature has 2 sharps (F♯, C♯).
F♯C♯
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 D Major
These are the triads built on each degree of the D major scale:
Same Notes, Other Names
The notes D – F♯ – A♭ – C aren’t exclusive to this chord. Depending on which note is the bass and how the chord functions, the same pitches also spell:
D 7♭5 — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the D 7♭5 chord on piano?
The D 7♭5 chord contains the notes D – F♯ – A♭ – C. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the D 7♭5 chord?
The D 7♭5 chord (D7♭5) contains 4 notes: D, F#, Ab, C. Formula: R-M3-d5-m7.
How is D7♭5 used in music?
D7♭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 D7♭5?
D7♭5 uses scale degrees 1-3-b5-b7, giving it its distinctive sound.