D Half Diminished
Hear the D Half Diminished chord played for you.
Dø7
D – F – G♯ – C
Formula:R-m3-d5-m7
Intervals:P1-m3-d5-m7
Scale Degrees:1-b3-b5-b7
Introduction
The D Half Diminished chord is a four-note chord made up of D, F, G♯, and C. It is built from a root, minor third, diminished fifth, and minor seventh.
The D Half Diminished piano chord (Dm7b5) consists of the notes D, F, G#, 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.
Notes
D Half Diminished Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | D – F – G# – C |
| 1st Inversion | F – G# – C – D |
| 2nd Inversion | G# – C – D – F |
| 3rd Inversion | D – F – G# – C |
Key Signature
The key of D Half Diminished has 2 sharps.
F♯C♯
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 D Major
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the D major scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I — D Major (major)
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 — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the D Half Diminished chord?
Dm7b5 contains: D, F, Ab, C. Diminished triad with minor seventh.
How does Dm7b5 differ from Ddim7?
Dm7b5 has C (minor seventh). Ddim7 has B/Cb (diminished seventh).
How is Dm7b5 used?
ii chord in C minor (Dm7b5–G7–Cm). Essential jazz minor-key harmony.
What songs use Half Diminished?
Autumn Leaves, jazz standards.
How does Dm7b5 differ from Dm7?
Flatted fifth (Ab vs A).
Is Dm7b5 the same as Fm6?
Same notes, different root.
Practice Tips
- Minor-key ii–V–i in C minor: Dm7b5 → G7 → Cm.
- Dm7b5 and Fm6 same notes.
- Compare with Ddim7 and Dm7.
- Essential for jazz minor keys.
- The flatted fifth creates the tension.
- One of the most common half-diminished chords.
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.