The D♯ Half Diminished chord is a four-note chord made up of D♯, F♯, A, and C♯. It is built from a root, minor third, diminished fifth, and minor seventh.
Construction
D♯ Half Diminished = Root + Minor 3rd + Diminished 5th + Minor 7th = D♯ · F♯ · A · C♯
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| D♯ | Root | 1 |
| F♯ | Minor 3rd | ♭3 |
| A | Diminished 5th | ♭5 |
| C♯ | Minor 7th | ♭7 |
D♯ Half Diminished Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | D♯ – F♯ – A – C♯ |
| 1st Inversion | F♯ – A – C♯ – D♯ |
| 2nd Inversion | A – C♯ – D♯ – F♯ |
| 3rd Inversion | C♯ – D♯ – F♯ – A |
Key Signature
A Half Diminished chord is built from symmetrical or ambiguous intervals, so it doesn’t belong to a single key and has no key signature of its own.
How D♯ Half Diminished functions in a key
The same chord takes on a different harmonic role depending on the key it appears in. Here is where D♯ Half Diminished sits diatonically across the common keys:
- In E major, D♯ Half Diminished is the vii° chord — the dominant.
- In C♯ minor, D♯ Half Diminished is the ii° chord — a predominant.
Same Notes, Other Names
The notes D♯ – F♯ – A – C♯ aren’t exclusive to this chord. Depending on which note is the bass and how the chord functions, the same pitches also spell:
D♯ Half Diminished — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the D♯ Half Diminished chord on piano?
The D♯ Half Diminished chord contains the notes D♯ – F♯ – A – C♯. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
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.