The A♯ Half Diminished chord is a four-note chord made up of A♯, C♯, E, and G♯. It is built from a root, minor third, diminished fifth, and minor seventh.
Construction
A♯ Half Diminished = Root + Minor 3rd + Diminished 5th + Minor 7th = A♯ · C♯ · E · G♯
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| A♯ | Root | 1 |
| C♯ | Minor 3rd | ♭3 |
| E | Diminished 5th | ♭5 |
| G♯ | Minor 7th | ♭7 |
A♯ Half Diminished Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | A♯ – C♯ – E – G♯ |
| 1st Inversion | C♯ – E – G♯ – A♯ |
| 2nd Inversion | E – G♯ – A♯ – C♯ |
| 3rd Inversion | G♯ – A♯ – C♯ – E |
Key Signature
A Half Diminished chord is built from symmetrical or ambiguous intervals, so it doesn’t belong to a single key and has no key signature of its own.
How A♯ Half Diminished functions in a key
The same chord takes on a different harmonic role depending on the key it appears in. Here is where A♯ Half Diminished sits diatonically across the common keys:
- In B major, A♯ Half Diminished is the vii° chord — the dominant.
- In G♯ minor, A♯ Half Diminished is the ii° chord — a predominant.
Same Notes, Other Names
The notes A♯ – C♯ – E – G♯ aren’t exclusive to this chord. Depending on which note is the bass and how the chord functions, the same pitches also spell:
A♯ Half Diminished — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the A♯ Half Diminished chord on piano?
The A♯ Half Diminished chord contains the notes A♯ – C♯ – E – G♯. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the A# Half Diminished chord?
A# Half Diminished is built from the A# root. Check the interactive keyboard above for exact notes and fingering.
How is the A# Half Diminished chord used in music?
A# Half Diminished appears in jazz, pop, and classical contexts. Its sound depends on the chord quality (Half Diminished).
What is the fingering for A# Half Diminished?
See the fingering chart above. Right hand typically uses thumb on root. Left hand uses pinky on root.
What are the inversions of A# Half Diminished?
Use the inversion buttons above to see each inversion with notes, fingering, and staff notation.
What is the ii-V-i progression with A# Half Diminished?
A# Half Diminished functions as the ii chord in minor-key jazz harmony, resolving through the V7 to the minor tonic.