Db Half Diminished
Notes:Db β E β G β B
Formula:R-m3-d5-m7
Intervals:P1-m3-d5-m7
Scale Degrees:1-b3-b5-b7
Introduction
The Db Half Diminished piano chord (Dbm7b5) consists of the notes Db, 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: Dβ is enharmonically equivalent to Cβ―. See C# Half Diminished.
Notes
Db Half Diminished Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | Db4 β E4 β G4 β B4 |
| 1st Inversion | E4 β G4 β B4 β Db5 |
| 2nd Inversion | G4 β B4 β Db5 β E5 |
| 3rd Inversion | Db4 β E4 β G4 β B3 |
Key Signature
The key of Db Half Diminished has 5 flats: Bβ, Eβ, Aβ, Dβ, Gβ.
BβEβAβDβGβ
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-m3-d5-m7
Intervals: P1-m3-d5-m7
The Db 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.
Db Half Diminished β Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the Db Half Diminished chord?
Dbm7b5 contains: Db, Fb, Abb, Cb. Diminished triad with minor seventh. Enharmonic of C#m7b5.
How does Dbm7b5 differ from Dbdim7?
Dbm7b5 has Cb (minor seventh). Dbdim7 has Bbb (diminished seventh).
How is Dbm7b5 used?
ii chord in Cb minor. C#m7b5 more commonly written.
What songs use Half Diminished?
Jazz minor-key harmony. Autumn Leaves pattern.
How does Dbm7b5 differ from Dbm7?
Flatted fifth (Abb vs Ab).
Is Dbm7b5 the same as Fbm6?
Same notes, different root.
Practice Tips
- Minor-key iiβVβi: Dbm7b5 β Gb7 β Cbm.
- Dbm7b5 and C#m7b5 enharmonic.
- Compare with Dbdim7.
- Compare with Dbm7.
- Half-diminished is essential jazz vocabulary.
- The ΓΈ symbol means half-diminished.