C♯ Half Diminished
Also Known As
Hear the C♯ Half Diminished chord played for you.
C♯ø7
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 chord is a four-note chord made up of C♯, E, G, and B. It is built from a root, minor third, diminished fifth, and minor seventh.
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.
Notes
C♯ Half Diminished Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | C# – E – G – B |
| 1st Inversion | E – G – B – C# |
| 2nd Inversion | G – B – C# – E |
| 3rd Inversion | C# – E – G – B |
Key Signature
The key of C# Half Diminished has 7 sharps.
F♯C♯G♯D♯A♯E♯B♯
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 C# Major
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the C# major scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I — C♯ Major (major)
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 — 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 ø symbol means half-diminished.
- Practice in context of minor-key progressions.
Related Tools
Chord FinderLook up any chord — see the notes, hear it, and play along.Chord DrillTimed drills to build speed and recognition across all chord types.Practice RoomPlug in a MIDI keyboard and get real-time feedback on every chord and scale.Circle of FifthsVisualize key relationships, relative minors, and key signatures.MIDI MonitorLive MIDI message stream with note names, velocity, and a scrolling staff.