Quick Answer & Harmonic Definition

To play the F# Half-Diminished 7th chord on piano, press the keys F#, A, C, E simultaneously. In root position, F# is the lowest note. First inversion places A in the bass; second inversion uses C as the lowest note.

Piano Chord

F#m7b5 Piano Chord

Diminished triad with a minor seventh. Common in jazz as the ii chord in minor keys. Learn the F# Half-Diminished 7th chord on piano with interactive keyboard, inversions, and audio playback.

Notes
F# – A – C – E
Intervals
0 – 3 – 6 – 10
Type
seventh chord
F# A C E
E
A
D
G
B
e
3
5
7
9
12
4 notes · Standard (E A D G B E)

Playing the F#m7b5 Piano Chord

The F#m7b5 chord is a half-diminished 7th chord built on the root F#. It contains 4 notes: F#, A, C, E. On piano, this chord is played by pressing these keys simultaneously or as an arpeggio.

Diminished triad with a minor seventh. Common in jazz as the ii chord in minor keys. Mastering the F#m7b5 chord opens up countless songs and progressions in the key of F#.

Piano Finger Positions for F#m7b5

For the F#m7b5 seventh chord, use these finger positions:

  • Right hand (root position): Thumb (1) on F#, middle finger (3) on A, pinky (5) on C.
  • Left hand (root position): Pinky (5) on F#, middle finger (3) on A, thumb (1) on C.
  • Arpeggiated: Play the notes sequentially from lowest to highest for a broken seventh effect.

F#m7b5 Chord Inversions

Inversions change the bass note while keeping the same harmonic quality:

Inversion Bass Note Notes (bottom to top) Sound
Root F# F# – A – C – E Most stable
1st A A – C – E – F# Lighter, less stable
2nd C C – E – F# – A Open, airy

Interval Structure of F#m7b5

Degree Interval Semitones Note in F#
Root Root (R) 0 F#
3rd Minor 3rd 3 A
5th Tritone 6 C
7th Minor 7th 10 E

Common Progressions with F#m7b5 on Piano

  • I–IV–V–I: F#m7b5 – Bm7b5 – C#m7b5 – F#m7b5 (classic cadence)
  • I–V–vi–IV: F#m7b5 – C# – D#m – B (pop progression)
  • ii–V–I: G#m – C# – F#m7b5 (jazz turnaround)

Other F# Piano Chords

F#
Major
F#m
Minor
F#7
Dominant 7th
F#maj7
Major 7th
F#m7
Minor 7th
F#dim
Diminished

Semidisminuido Chord in All 12 Keys

Cm7b5 C#m7b5 Dm7b5 D#m7b5 Em7b5 Fm7b5 F#m7b5 Gm7b5 G#m7b5 Am7b5 A#m7b5 Bm7b5
Virtual Piano
Interactive keyboard
F#m7b5 Guitar
Guitar chord shapes
F# Scale
Notes that fit this chord
Songs
Find songs using F#m7b5

Knowledge Base & FAQs

F#m7b5 Piano Chord — FAQ

Everything you need to know about our browser-based Web Audio engine, instruments, and music theory workspace.

How do I play the F#m7b5 chord on piano?

To play the F# Half-Diminished 7th chord on piano, press the keys F#, A, C, E simultaneously.

In root position, F# is the lowest note. First inversion places A in the bass; second inversion uses C as the lowest note.

What are the notes in the F#m7b5 piano chord?

The F# Half-Diminished 7th piano chord contains 4 notes: F#, A, C, E.

These are derived from the half-diminished 7th interval formula applied to the root note F#.

What is the best fingering for F#m7b5 on piano?

For the F#m7b5 seventh in root position, use fingers 1 (thumb), 3, and 5 for a triad, or 1, 2, 3, and 5 for a seventh chord.

Inversions may use 1, 2, 4 (first inversion) or 1, 3, 5 (second inversion).

What does the F#m7b5 chord sound like?

The F#m7b5 chord has a diminished triad with a minor seventh.

common in jazz as the ii chord in minor keys. It provides rich harmonic tension and expressive color within songwriting and jazz arrangements.

What keys does the F#m7b5 chord belong to?

F#m7b5 appears frequently across modal, jazz, blues, and contemporary progressions as an essential tension or resolution voicing.

What are the inversions of F#m7b5 on piano?

F#m7b5 has 3 inversions.

Root position: F#–A–C–E. First inversion: A–C–E–F#. Second inversion: C–E–F#–A.

What chords go well with F#m7b5 on piano?

In the key of F# major, F#m7b5 pairs naturally with B major (IV chord), C# major (V chord), and D#m (vi chord).

The I–IV–V–I progression is a classic way to practice these.

Is F#m7b5 a good chord for beginners on piano?

F#m7b5 has 4 notes, which may be challenging for beginners.

Start with the basic triad (root, third, fifth) before adding the full seventh extension.

How do I use F#m7b5 in a chord progression?

F#m7b5 functions as the tonic (I) in F# major.

A classic progression is I–IV–V–I: F#m7b5–B–C#–F#m7b5. Practice this in both hands separately before combining.

What is the difference between F# major and F# minor on piano?

The F# major chord (F#–A#–C#) uses a major third (4 semitones from root) for a bright sound.

The F#m chord uses a minor third (3 semitones) for a darker, more emotional sound.