G Half Diminished
Hear the G Half Diminished chord played for you.
Gø7
G – B♭ – D♭ – F
Formula:R-m3-d5-m7
Intervals:P1-m3-d5-m7
Scale Degrees:1-b3-b5-b7
Introduction
The G Half Diminished chord is a four-note chord made up of G, B♭, D♭, and F. It is built from a root, minor third, diminished fifth, and minor seventh.
The G Half Diminished piano chord (Gm7b5) consists of the notes G, Bb, Db, F. 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
G Half Diminished Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | G – Bb – Db – F |
| 1st Inversion | Bb – Db – F – G |
| 2nd Inversion | Db – F – G – Bb |
| 3rd Inversion | G – Bb – Db – F |
Key Signature
The key of G Half Diminished has 1 sharp.
F♯
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 G Major
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the G major scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I — G Major (major)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-m3-d5-m7
Intervals: P1-m3-d5-m7
The G 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.
G Half Diminished — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the G Half Diminished chord?
Gm7b5 contains: G, Bb, Db, F. Diminished triad with minor seventh.
How does Gm7b5 differ from Gdim7?
Minor seventh (F) vs diminished seventh (Fb/E).
How is Gm7b5 used?
ii chord in F minor (Gm7b5–C7–Fm). Common in jazz.
What songs use Half Diminished?
Jazz standards in F minor.
How does Gm7b5 differ from Gm7?
Flatted fifth (Db vs D).
Is Gm7b5 the same as Bbm6?
Same notes, different root.
Practice Tips
- Minor-key ii–V–i in F minor: Gm7b5 → C7 → Fm.
- Gm7b5 and Bbm6 same notes.
- Compare with Gdim7 and Gm7.
- Common in jazz.
- The Db creates tension.
- F minor is common in jazz and classical.
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.