E half-diminished seventh
Em7b5 Piano Voicings
Em7b5, 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 Em7b5 in all 12 keysThe notes in Em7b5
- E R
- G ♭3
- Bb ♭5
- D ♭7
Em7b5 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
E · G · Bb · D R · ♭3 · ♭5 · ♭7
Shell Voicing
E · G · D R · ♭3 · ♭7
Rootless A
G · Bb · D · F# ♭3 · ♭5 · ♭7 · 9
Rootless B
D · F# · G · Bb ♭7 · 9 · ♭3 · ♭5
Where Em7b5 fits in a ii-V-I
Em7b5, 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 Em7b5 is to drill it in context across all 12 keys until the shape is automatic.
Practice the full ii-V-I progressionEm7b5 — frequently asked questions
What notes are in Em7b5?
Em7b5 contains E, G, Bb, D — root, minor third, diminished (flat) fifth and flat seventh.
What is Em7b5 used for?
Em7b5 most often appears as the ii chord in a minor ii-V-i, setting up the dominant that resolves to a minor tonic.