Quick Answer & Harmonic Definition

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

Piano Chord

Em7b5 Piano Chord

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

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

Playing the Em7b5 Piano Chord

The Em7b5 chord is a half-diminished 7th chord built on the root E. It contains 4 notes: E, G, A#, D. 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 Em7b5 chord opens up countless songs and progressions in the key of E.

Piano Finger Positions for Em7b5

For the Em7b5 seventh chord, use these finger positions:

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

Em7b5 Chord Inversions

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

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

Interval Structure of Em7b5

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

Common Progressions with Em7b5 on Piano

  • I–IV–V–I: Em7b5 – Am7b5 – Bm7b5 – Em7b5 (classic cadence)
  • I–V–vi–IV: Em7b5 – B – C#m – A (pop progression)
  • ii–V–I: F#m – B – Em7b5 (jazz turnaround)

Other E Piano Chords

E
Major
Em
Minor
E7
Dominant 7th
Emaj7
Major 7th
Em7
Minor 7th
Edim
Diminished

Meio Diminuto 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
Em7b5 Guitar
Guitar chord shapes
E Scale
Notes that fit this chord
Songs
Find songs using Em7b5

Knowledge Base & FAQs

Em7b5 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 Em7b5 chord on piano?

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

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

What are the notes in the Em7b5 piano chord?

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

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

What is the best fingering for Em7b5 on piano?

For the Em7b5 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 Em7b5 chord sound like?

The Em7b5 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 Em7b5 chord belong to?

Em7b5 appears frequently across modal, jazz, blues, and contemporary progressions as an essential tension or resolution voicing.

What are the inversions of Em7b5 on piano?

Em7b5 has 3 inversions.

Root position: E–G–A#–D. First inversion: G–A#–D–E. Second inversion: A#–D–E–G.

What chords go well with Em7b5 on piano?

In the key of E major, Em7b5 pairs naturally with A major (IV chord), B major (V chord), and C#m (vi chord).

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

Is Em7b5 a good chord for beginners on piano?

Em7b5 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 Em7b5 in a chord progression?

Em7b5 functions as the tonic (I) in E major.

A classic progression is I–IV–V–I: Em7b5–A–B–Em7b5. Practice this in both hands separately before combining.

What is the difference between E major and E minor on piano?

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

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