Cb Half Diminished
Notes:Cb – Eb – Gb – Bb
Formula:R-m3-d5-m7
Intervals:P1-m3-d5-m7
Scale Degrees:1-b3-b5-b7
Introduction
The Cb Half Diminished piano chord (Cbm7b5) consists of the notes Cb, Eb, Gb, Bb. It is a diminished triad with an added minor 7th, giving it a dark, moody, and tense character commonly used in jazz and minor key progressions. Formula: R-m3-d5-m7 | Scale degrees: 1-b3-b5-b7.
Notes
Cb Half Diminished Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | Cb4 – Eb4 – Gb4 – Bb4 |
| 1st Inversion | Gb4 – Bb4 – Cb4 – Eb5 |
| 2nd Inversion | Bb4 – Cb4 – Eb5 – Gb5 |
| 3rd Inversion | Cb4 – Eb4 – Gb4 – Bb3 |
Key Signature
The key of Cb Half Diminished has 7 flats: B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭, C♭, F♭.
B♭E♭A♭D♭G♭C♭F♭
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-m3-d5-m7
Intervals: P1-m3-d5-m7
The Cb Half Diminished is built by stacking intervals from the root note. The formula R-m3-d5-m7 describes the scale degrees used. The intervals P1-m3-d5-m7 show the distance between each note in the chord.
Cb Half Diminished — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the Cb Half Diminished chord?
Cbm7b5 is enharmonic equivalent of Bm7b5. Same notes.
How does Cbm7b5 differ from Cbdim7?
Minor seventh vs diminished seventh.
How is Cbm7b5 used?
Musicians use Bm7b5 in practice.
What songs use Half Diminished?
Sound identical regardless of spelling.
How does Cbm7b5 differ from Cbm7?
Flatted fifth.
Is Cbm7b5 the same as Ebbm6?
Same notes enharmonically.
Practice Tips
- Cbm7b5 and Bm7b5 enharmonic.
- Translate to Bm7b5 (all white keys).
- Keyboard notes identical.
- Jazz vocabulary.
- Understanding both builds fluency.
- Compare with Cbdim7.