Piano chord
Em7♭5E half-diminished
- E1
- G♭3
- B♭♭5
- D♭7
- Notes
- 4
- Positions
- 4
- Span
- 10semitones
- Fingers
- 1-2-3-5
How to play Em7♭5 on piano
- Find E: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on E, 2 on G, 3 on B♭, 5 on D.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on E, 4 on G, 3 on B♭, 1 on D.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · E – G – B♭ – D
1st inversion · G – B♭ – D – E
2nd inversion · B♭ – D – E – G
3rd inversion · D – E – G – B♭
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
Em7♭5 inversions
Em7♭5 can be played in 4 positions. In root position E is at the bottom; each inversion moves the lowest note up an octave, so another chord tone becomes the bass.
- Root positionbass: ERight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-4-3-1
- 1st inversionbass: GRight hand 1-2-4-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1
- 2nd inversionbass: B♭Right hand 1-3-4-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 3rd inversionbass: DRight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1
Chords that go with Em7♭5
The other chords of F major, the key where Em7♭5 is home (viiø7). Songs in this key move between them.
Em7♭5 with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays E an octave lower, the right hand plays E–G–B♭–D.
Em7♭5 on other instruments
About the Em7♭5 chord
E half-diminished has 4 notes: E (1), G (♭3), B♭ (♭5), D (♭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 E and add the other notes above it: E – G – B♭ – D. From the lowest to the highest key that is 10 semitones. That is less than an octave, so Em7♭5 sits comfortably under one hand.
Each inversion of Em7♭5 puts a different note in the bass. In the 1st inversion the bass is G (G–B♭–D–E). In the 2nd inversion the bass is B♭ (B♭–D–E–G). In the 3rd inversion the bass is D (D–E–G–B♭).
Em7♭5 is Edim with one note added: D.
Keys that contain Em7♭5: F major (viiø7), D minor (iiø7).
Questions
What notes are in the Em7♭5 chord?
Em7♭5 (E half-diminished) has 4 notes: E (1), G (♭3), B♭ (♭5), D (♭7).
How many inversions does Em7♭5 have?
Em7♭5 can be played in 4 positions: Root position (E–G–B♭–D); 1st inversion (G–B♭–D–E); 2nd inversion (B♭–D–E–G); 3rd inversion (D–E–G–B♭).
What is the difference between Em7♭5 and Edim?
Em7♭5 is Edim with one note added: D.
Can I play Em7♭5 with one hand?
Yes. In root position Em7♭5 spans 10 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.