D half-diminished seventh
Dm7b5 Piano Voicings
Dm7b5, the half-diminished chord, is the ii chord of a minor ii-V-i. Its lowered fifth gives the tense, unresolved colour that defines minor-key jazz.
Drill Dm7b5 in all 12 keysThe notes in Dm7b5
- D R
- F ♭3
- Ab ♭5
- C ♭7
Dm7b5 voicings on piano
Each voicing is the exact shape the trainer drills. Press play to hear it — as a block chord or rolled note by note.
Root Position
D · F · Ab · C R · ♭3 · ♭5 · ♭7
Shell Voicing
D · F · C R · ♭3 · ♭7
Rootless A
F · Ab · C · E ♭3 · ♭5 · ♭7 · 9
Rootless B
C · E · F · Ab ♭7 · 9 · ♭3 · ♭5
Where Dm7b5 fits in a ii-V-I
Dm7b5, the half-diminished chord, is the ii chord of a minor ii-V-i. Its lowered fifth gives the tense, unresolved colour that defines minor-key jazz.
The fastest way to internalise Dm7b5 is to drill it in context across all 12 keys until the shape is automatic.
Practice the full ii-V-I progressionDm7b5 — frequently asked questions
What notes are in Dm7b5?
Dm7b5 contains D, F, Ab, C — root, minor third, diminished (flat) fifth and flat seventh.
What is Dm7b5 used for?
Dm7b5 most often appears as the ii chord in a minor ii-V-i, setting up the dominant that resolves to a minor tonic.