Notes and intervals of F♯ half-diminished
- F♯1 · 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.
Progressions with F♯m7♭5
ii–V–i in minor: iiø7 – V7 – i
The minor cadence of boleros, tangos and jazz, in E natural minor.
Which keys contain F♯ half-diminished?
F♯m7♭5 belongs to 2 keys: in each one it plays a different role depending on the degree (the Roman numeral).
| Key | Degree |
|---|---|
| G major | viiø7 |
| E natural minor | iiø7 |
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the F-sharp half-diminished chord?
F♯ half-diminished (F♯m7♭5) has 4 notes: F♯ (root), A (minor third), C (diminished fifth), E (minor seventh).
How do you play F♯ half-diminished on guitar?
The most common shape starts at fret 2: 2 x 2 2 1 x (from the 6th to the 1st string). Finger 2 (middle) on fret 2 of the 6th string (E). Finger 3 (ring) on fret 2 of the 4th string (D). Finger 4 (pinky) on fret 2 of the 3rd string (G). Finger 1 (index) on fret 1 of the 2nd string (B). Do not play the 5th and 1st strings: strum from the 6th.
Is F♯m7♭5 the same as G♭m7♭5?
Yes: F♯ half-diminished and G♭ half-diminished sound the same and are played the same way (they're enharmonic). The spelling depends on the song's key; you'll see both names in sheet music and songbooks.
How do you write F♯ half-diminished as a chord symbol?
It is written F♯m7♭5; you may also see F♯ø or F♯m7b5. Letter notation uses C, D, E, F, G, A and B for the notes.