The E 7♭5 chord is a four-note chord made up of E, G♯, B♭, and D. It is built from a root, major third, diminished fifth, and minor seventh.
Construction
E 7♭5 = Root + Major 3rd + Diminished 5th + Minor 7th = E · G♯ · B♭ · D
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| E | Root | 1 |
| G♯ | Major 3rd | 3 |
| B♭ | Diminished 5th | ♭5 |
| D | Minor 7th | ♭7 |
E 7♭5 Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | E – G♯ – B♭ – D |
| 1st Inversion | G♯ – B♭ – D – E |
| 2nd Inversion | B♭ – D – E – G♯ |
| 3rd Inversion | D – E – G♯ – B♭ |
Key Signature
A chord has no key signature of its own, but the E 7♭5 is the tonic (I) chord of E Major, whose key signature has 4 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯).
F♯C♯G♯D♯
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 E Major
These are the triads built on each degree of the E major scale:
Same Notes, Other Names
The notes E – G♯ – B♭ – D aren’t exclusive to this chord. Depending on which note is the bass and how the chord functions, the same pitches also spell:
E 7♭5 — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the E 7♭5 chord on piano?
The E 7♭5 chord contains the notes E – G♯ – B♭ – D. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the E 7♭5 chord?
The E 7♭5 chord (E7♭5) contains 4 notes: E, G#, Bb, D. Formula: R-M3-d5-m7.
How is E7♭5 used in music?
E7♭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 E7♭5?
E7♭5 uses scale degrees 1-3-b5-b7, giving it its distinctive sound.