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 (Cm7♭5/E♭)E♭ – G♭ – B♭ – C
- 2nd inversion (Cm7♭5/G♭)G♭ – B♭ – C – E♭
- 3rd inversion (Cm7♭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 C Half Diminished chord?
Cm7b5 contains four notes: C (root), Eb (minor third), Gb (diminished fifth), and Bb (minor seventh). A diminished triad with a minor seventh, dark, moody, and tense.
How does Cm7b5 differ from Cdim7?
Cm7b5 has Bb (minor seventh). Cdim7 has A (diminished seventh). Half-diminished is less tense than fully diminished: the minor seventh softens it slightly.
How does Cm7b5 differ from Cm7?
Cm7b5 has Gb (diminished fifth). Cm7 has G (perfect fifth). The flatted fifth adds significant tension and darkness.
How is Cm7b5 used in music?
Cm7b5 is the ii chord in Bb minor jazz harmony (Cm7b5–F7–Bbm). It is essential for minor-key ii–V–i progressions. Also the vii chord in Db Major.
What songs use Half Diminished chords?
Half-diminished chords are essential in jazz minor-key harmony. Autumn Leaves uses the ii°7–V7–i in G minor. Still Crazy After All These Years (Paul Simon) features half-diminished harmony.
Is Cm7b5 the same as Ebm6?
Same four notes (C, Eb, Gb, Bb = Eb, Gb, Bb, C). Context determines the name: Cm7b5 when C is root, Ebm6 when Eb is root.