Piano chord
F♯m7♭5F sharp half-diminished
- F♯1
- A♭3
- C♭5
- E♭7
- Notes
- 4
- Positions
- 4
- Span
- 10semitones
- Fingers
- 1-2-3-5
How to play F♯m7♭5 on piano
- Find F♯: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on F♯, 2 on A, 3 on C, 5 on E.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on F♯, 4 on A, 3 on C, 1 on E.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · F♯ – A – C – E
1st inversion · A – C – E – F♯
2nd inversion · C – E – F♯ – A
3rd inversion · E – F♯ – A – C
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
F♯m7♭5 inversions
F♯m7♭5 can be played in 4 positions. In root position F♯ is at the bottom; each inversion moves the lowest note up an octave, so another chord tone becomes the bass.
- Root positionbass: F♯Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-4-3-1
- 1st inversionbass: ARight hand 1-2-4-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1
- 2nd inversionbass: CRight hand 1-3-4-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 3rd inversionbass: ERight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-4-2-1
Chords that go with F♯m7♭5
The other chords of G major, the key where F♯m7♭5 is home (viiø7). Songs in this key move between them.
F♯m7♭5 with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays F♯ an octave lower, the right hand plays F♯–A–C–E.
F♯m7♭5 on other instruments
About the F♯m7♭5 chord
F sharp half-diminished has 4 notes: F♯ (1), A (♭3), C (♭5), E (♭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.
Put your thumb on F♯ and count up: F♯ – A – C – E. The whole chord spans 10 semitones from bottom to top. That fits inside an octave, so one hand covers F♯m7♭5 without stretching.
The inversions of F♯m7♭5 keep the same notes in a new order. In the 1st inversion the bass is A (A–C–E–F♯). In the 2nd inversion the bass is C (C–E–F♯–A). In the 3rd inversion the bass is E (E–F♯–A–C).
F♯m7♭5 is F♯dim with one note added: E.
F♯m7♭5 belongs to G major (viiø7), E minor (iiø7).
Questions
What notes are in the F♯m7♭5 chord?
F♯m7♭5 (F sharp half-diminished) has 4 notes: F♯ (1), A (♭3), C (♭5), E (♭7).
How many inversions does F♯m7♭5 have?
F♯m7♭5 can be played in 4 positions: Root position (F♯–A–C–E); 1st inversion (A–C–E–F♯); 2nd inversion (C–E–F♯–A); 3rd inversion (E–F♯–A–C).
What is the difference between F♯m7♭5 and F♯dim?
F♯m7♭5 is F♯dim with one note added: E.
Can I play F♯m7♭5 with one hand?
Yes. In root position F♯m7♭5 spans 10 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.