Now, with those considerations out of the way, where can we find the m7(b5) or Half-Diminished chord? We just need to accept the fact that they all refer to the same chord, and not worry too much about it. The important point here, regardless of which camp we choose, is to realize that we will definitely encounter those various names in books, on charts, and in conversations with other musicians. The confusing thing is that theorists tend to be very opinionated sometimes, and they like to think that only one definition is valid. Since the chord is built on a Diminished Triad (C Eb Gb) it seems that it would make sense to think of it as belonging to the Diminished family. By the way, remember that the 7th of a Diminished chord is actually a M6th. but it is also ii of vi.ĭizzy Gillespie, in his autobiography, talks about his discovery of the 'm6 chord with the 6th in the bass' and how it had a huge impact on his music.ģ) Finally, another perspective is that we can see our chord as a Diminished chord of which the Seventh is raised by a 1/2 step- that is why some other people prefer to call it a Half-Diminished chord. Which means that in the key of Db, Cm7(b5) is both vii and/or an inversion of ii. For instance:Ĭm7(b5) = Ebm6 with the 6th in the bass (sometimes written as Ebm6/C or simply Ebm/C) It should be noted here that the Half-Diminished chord pretty much always functions as a ii of something (often a ii of iii, or ii of ii) which is why it seems convenient to think of it as a variation of a ii chord- hence the appellation m7(b5).Ģ) The 4 notes of the Half-Diminished chord are also the notes of an inverted Minor 6 chord (third inversion). We have three basic (but a bit conflicting) ways to look at the chord:ġ) We can see it as a Minor 7th chord of which the Fifth is lowered by a 1/2 step- that is why some people call it a m7(b5) chord. In a chart it may be found written as Cm7(b5) or as CØ It really is just a matter of semantics or personal choice.īuilt on a C root, we have: C Eb Gb Bb, respectively the Root, the m3, the dim 5, and the m7. THE MINOR 7(b5) OR HALF-DIMINISHED CHORD:įirst of all we need to understand that the two names: either m7(b5) or Half-Diminished indifferently refer to the exact same chord. What is a m7(b5)? What is a half-diminished chord? - The Half-Diminished Chord - minor 7(b5) - m7(b5) chord - jazz - guitar - Bruno Pelletier

B flat half diminished 7th chord