Eb Half Diminished
Notes:Eb – Gb – A – Db
Formula:R-m3-d5-m7
Intervals:P1-m3-d5-m7
Scale Degrees:1-b3-b5-b7
Introduction
The Eb Half Diminished piano chord (Ebm7b5) consists of the notes Eb, Gb, A, Db. 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: E♭ is enharmonically equivalent to D♯. See D# Half Diminished.
Notes
Eb Half Diminished Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | Eb4 – Gb4 – A4 – Db5 |
| 1st Inversion | Gb4 – A4 – Db5 – Eb5 |
| 2nd Inversion | A4 – Db5 – Eb5 – Gb5 |
| 3rd Inversion | Eb4 – Gb4 – A4 – Db4 |
Key Signature
The key of Eb Half Diminished has 3 flats: B♭, E♭, A♭.
B♭E♭A♭
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-m3-d5-m7
Intervals: P1-m3-d5-m7
The Eb 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.
Eb Half Diminished — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the Eb Half Diminished chord?
Ebm7b5 contains: Eb, Gb, Bbb, Db. Diminished triad with minor seventh.
How does Ebm7b5 differ from Ebdim7?
Minor seventh (Db) vs diminished seventh (Dbb/C).
How is Ebm7b5 used?
ii chord in Db minor.
What songs use Half Diminished?
Jazz minor-key harmony.
How does Ebm7b5 differ from Ebm7?
Flatted fifth (Bbb vs Bb).
Is Ebm7b5 the same as Gbm6?
Same notes, different root.
Practice Tips
- Minor-key ii–V–i: Ebm7b5 → Ab7 → Dbm.
- Compare with Ebdim7 and Ebm7.
- Ebm7b5 and Gbm6 same notes.
- Essential jazz vocabulary.
- The flatted fifth creates tension.
- All flats.