C# Half Diminished

Notes:C# – E – G – B
Formula:R-m3-d5-m7
Intervals:P1-m3-d5-m7
Scale Degrees:1-b3-b5-b7

Introduction

The C# Half Diminished piano chord (C#m7b5) consists of the notes C#, E, G, B. 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.

Enharmonic equivalent: Cβ™― is enharmonically equivalent to Dβ™­. See Db Half Diminished.

Notes

Notes:C# – E – G – B

C# Half Diminished Inversions

PositionNotes
Root PositionC#4 – E4 – G4 – B4
1st InversionE4 – G4 – B4 – C#5
2nd InversionG4 – B4 – C#5 – E5
3rd InversionC#4 – E4 – G4 – B3

Key Signature

The key of C# Half Diminished has 7 sharps: Fβ™―, Cβ™―, Gβ™―, Dβ™―, Aβ™―, Eβ™―, Bβ™―.

Fβ™―Cβ™―Gβ™―Dβ™―Aβ™―Eβ™―Bβ™―

Theory: Intervals

Formula: R-m3-d5-m7
Intervals: P1-m3-d5-m7

The C# 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.

C# Half Diminished β€” Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the C# Half Diminished chord?

C# Half Diminished is built from the C# root. Check the interactive keyboard above for exact notes and fingering.

How is the C# Half Diminished chord used in music?

C# Half Diminished appears in jazz, pop, and classical contexts. Its sound depends on the chord quality (Half Diminished).

What is the fingering for C# 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 C# 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 C# Half Diminished?

C# Half Diminished functions as the ii chord in minor-key jazz harmony, resolving through the V7 to the minor tonic.

Practice Tips

  • Minor-key ii–V–i is essential jazz vocabulary.
  • Compare with C#dim7 and C#m7.
  • The flatted fifth creates the half-diminished tension.
  • Essential for jazz minor keys.
  • The ΓΈ symbol means half-diminished.
  • Practice in context of minor-key progressions.