Piano chord
Bm7♭5B half-diminished
- B1
- D♭3
- F♭5
- A♭7
- Notes
- 4
- Positions
- 4
- Span
- 10semitones
- Fingers
- 1-2-3-5
How to play Bm7♭5 on piano
- Find B: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on B, 2 on D, 3 on F, 5 on A.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on B, 4 on D, 3 on F, 1 on A.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · B – D – F – A
1st inversion · D – F – A – B
2nd inversion · F – A – B – D
3rd inversion · A – B – D – F
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
Bm7♭5 inversions
Bm7♭5 can be played in 4 positions. In root position B is at the bottom; each inversion moves the lowest note up an octave, so another chord tone becomes the bass.
- Root positionbass: BRight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-4-3-1
- 1st inversionbass: DRight hand 1-2-4-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1
- 2nd inversionbass: FRight hand 1-3-4-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 3rd inversionbass: ARight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1
Chords that go with Bm7♭5
The other chords of C major, the key where Bm7♭5 is home (viiø7). Songs in this key move between them.
Bm7♭5 with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays B an octave lower, the right hand plays B–D–F–A.
Bm7♭5 on other instruments
About the Bm7♭5 chord
B half-diminished has 4 notes: B (1), D (♭3), F (♭5), A (♭7). A half-diminished chord: a diminished triad with the flat seventh. It is the ii chord in minor keys and leads to the dominant.
On the keyboard, start from B and add the other notes above it: B – D – F – A. From the lowest to the highest key that is 10 semitones. That is less than an octave, so Bm7♭5 sits comfortably under one hand.
Each inversion of Bm7♭5 puts a different note in the bass. In the 1st inversion the bass is D (D–F–A–B). In the 2nd inversion the bass is F (F–A–B–D). In the 3rd inversion the bass is A (A–B–D–F).
Bm7♭5 is Bdim with one note added: A.
Keys that contain Bm7♭5: C major (viiø7), A minor (iiø7).
Questions
What notes are in the Bm7♭5 chord?
Bm7♭5 (B half-diminished) has 4 notes: B (1), D (♭3), F (♭5), A (♭7).
How many inversions does Bm7♭5 have?
Bm7♭5 can be played in 4 positions: Root position (B–D–F–A); 1st inversion (D–F–A–B); 2nd inversion (F–A–B–D); 3rd inversion (A–B–D–F).
What is the difference between Bm7♭5 and Bdim?
Bm7♭5 is Bdim with one note added: A.
Can I play Bm7♭5 with one hand?
Yes. In root position Bm7♭5 spans 10 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.