Construction
C♭ Half Diminished = Root + Minor 3rd + Diminished 5th + Minor 7th = C♭, E♭♭, G♭♭, B♭♭
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| C♭ | Root | 1 |
| E♭♭ | Minor 3rd | ♭3 |
| G♭♭ | Diminished 5th | ♭5 |
| B♭♭ | Minor 7th | ♭7 |
How to Play the C♭ Half Diminished
Right Hand (RH)
Place your right hand over the keys with the thumb on the root. Use the fingering: 1 – 2 – 3 – 5
Left Hand (LH)
For the left hand, start with your pinky on the root. Use the fingering: 5 – 3 – 2 – 1
C♭ Half Diminished Inversions
- Root positionC♭ – E♭♭ – G♭♭ – B♭♭
- 1st inversion (C♭m7♭5/E♭♭)E♭♭ – G♭♭ – B♭♭ – C♭
- 2nd inversion (C♭m7♭5/G♭♭)G♭♭ – B♭♭ – C♭ – E♭♭
- 3rd inversion (C♭m7♭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♭ Half Diminished : Frequently Asked Questions
What is the C♭ Half Diminished chord on piano?
The C♭ Half Diminished chord contains the notes C♭ – E♭♭ – G♭♭ – B♭♭. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
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.