D# Half Diminished

Notes:D# – F# – A – C#
Formula:R-m3-d5-m7
Intervals:P1-m3-d5-m7
Scale Degrees:1-b3-b5-b7

Introduction

The D# Half Diminished piano chord (D#m7b5) consists of the notes D#, F#, A, C#. 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 Eβ™­. See Eb Half Diminished.

Notes

Notes:D# – F# – A – C#

D# Half Diminished Inversions

PositionNotes
Root PositionD#4 – F#4 – A4 – C#5
1st InversionF#4 – A4 – C#5 – D#5
2nd InversionA4 – C#5 – D#5 – F#5
3rd InversionD#4 – F#4 – A4 – C#4

Key Signature

The key of D# Half Diminished has Key signature data not available.

Theory: Intervals

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

The D# 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.

D# Half Diminished β€” Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the D# Half Diminished chord?

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

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

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

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

D# 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 D#dim7 and D#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.