Notes in Cm7♭5
The Cm7♭5 chord contains 4 notes: C, E♭, F♯, B♭
Intervals
| Interval | Semitones | Note | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| R | 0 | C | Root |
| ♭3 | 3 | E♭ | Minor 3rd |
| ♭5 | 6 | F♯ | Diminished 5th |
| ♭7 | 10 | B♭ | Minor 7th |
About C Half-Diminished Chords
Half-diminished chords (minor 7 flat 5) combine a diminished triad with a minor 7th. They serve as the ii chord in minor key ii-V-i progressions, making them essential for jazz musicians. The sound is dark but more stable than fully diminished.
Compatible Scales & Modes
These scales contain all the notes of Cm7♭5 and can be used for soloing, improvising, and writing melodies over this chord.
Playing C half-diminished on Guitar
The C half-diminished chord, spelled C, E♭, F♯, B♭, occupies a specific harmonic role that depends on the musical context. In the key of C major, the most fundamental key in Western music, this chord can function as a primary harmony or as a passing color depending on where it appears in the progression. Understanding which scale degrees produce C-rooted chords helps you predict chord progressions and improvise melodies that complement the harmony.
On guitar, C half-diminished voicings benefit from open position voicings that resonate beautifully on acoustic guitar. The physical shape of this chord on the fretboard determines its tonal character — the same notes arranged in different voicings produce noticeably different sounds due to string gauge, fret position, and overtone content. Experiment with playing C half-diminished in multiple positions to find the voicing that best fits the register and texture of the music you are working on.
Cm7b5, also called C half-diminished, is built by adding a minor seventh to a diminished triad. This chord naturally occurs on the seventh degree of major keys and the second degree of minor keys, making it essential for minor key ii-V-i progressions in jazz.
When practicing C half-diminished, use the compatible scales listed above to improvise melodies and riffs. Start by playing the chord, then explore the scale tones one at a time to hear how each note sounds against the harmony. This ear training exercise connects your theoretical knowledge of C-rooted chords to practical musicianship skills that improve your playing across all genres and styles.