Notes and intervals of F half-diminished
- F1 · root
- A♭♭3 · minor third
- C♭♭5 · diminished fifth
- E♭♭7 · minor seventh
It's the second degree in minor keys (iiø–V7–i), very common in boleros, tango and jazz.
C♭ sounds the same as B, but in theory it is spelled this way because each note of the chord takes its own letter (C, E, G…). On guitar and piano you play exactly the same key or fret.
Progressions with Fm7♭5
ii–V–i in minor: iiø7 – V7 – i
The minor cadence of boleros, tangos and jazz, in D♯ natural minor.
Which keys contain F half-diminished?
Fm7♭5 belongs to 2 keys: in each one it plays a different role depending on the degree (the Roman numeral).
| Key | Degree |
|---|---|
| F♯ major | viiø7 |
| D♯ natural minor | iiø7 |
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the F half-diminished chord?
F half-diminished (Fm7♭5) has 4 notes: F (root), A♭ (minor third), C♭ (diminished fifth), E♭ (minor seventh). C♭ sounds the same as B, but it is spelled this way because it functions as a diminished fifth.
How do you play F half-diminished on guitar?
The most common shape starts at fret 1: 1 x 1 1 0 x (from the 6th to the 1st string). Finger 1 (index) on fret 1 of the 6th string (E). Finger 2 (middle) on fret 1 of the 4th string (D). Finger 3 (ring) on fret 1 of the 3rd string (G). Play the 2nd string open. Do not play the 5th and 1st strings: strum from the 6th string.
How do you write F half-diminished in chord notation?
It is written Fm7♭5; you may also see Fø or Fm7b5. Letter notation corresponds to solfège note names: C = Do, D = Re, E = Mi, F = Fa, G = Sol, A = La, and B = Si.