Quick Answer & Harmonic Definition

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

Piano Chord

C#m7b5 Piano Chord

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

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

Playing the C#m7b5 Piano Chord

The C#m7b5 chord is a half-diminished 7th chord built on the root C#. It contains 4 notes: C#, E, G, B. 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 C#m7b5 chord opens up countless songs and progressions in the key of C#.

Piano Finger Positions for C#m7b5

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

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

C#m7b5 Chord Inversions

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

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

Interval Structure of C#m7b5

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

Common Progressions with C#m7b5 on Piano

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

Other C# Piano Chords

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

Half-Diminished 7th 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
C#m7b5 Guitar
Guitar chord shapes
C# Scale
Notes that fit this chord
Songs
Find songs using C#m7b5

Knowledge Base & FAQs

C#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 C#m7b5 chord on piano?

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

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

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

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

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

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

For the C#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 C#m7b5 chord sound like?

The C#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 C#m7b5 chord belong to?

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

What are the inversions of C#m7b5 on piano?

C#m7b5 has 3 inversions.

Root position: C#–E–G–B. First inversion: E–G–B–C#. Second inversion: G–B–C#–E.

What chords go well with C#m7b5 on piano?

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

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

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

C#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 C#m7b5 in a chord progression?

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

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

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

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

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