Em7b5 chord on guitar
E Half-Diminished. Notes: E, G, Bb and D.
How to play Em7b5
- Lay your ring finger flat across the 3rd (G) to the 1st (high E) string at fret 3. This is the barre.
- Put your index finger on the 5th (A) string at fret 1 (Bb).
- Put your middle finger on the 4th (D) string at fret 2 (E).
- Let the open low E string ring.
- Strum from the low E string down.
All 4 ways to play Em7b5
Easiest first. Tap play to hear each one.Barre at fret 3
MediumFret 7 position
MediumBarre at fret 8
HardFret 11 position
HardNotes and theory
The half-diminished chord (minor seventh flat five) is the ii chord of a minor key and a key part of minor ii-V-i progressions in jazz. The formula is 1 b3 b5 b7, and you will also see it written as Eø and Em7(b5).
Keys that use Em7b5
More E chords
All E guitar chordshalf-diminished chords in every key
Questions
What notes are in the Em7b5 chord?
Em7b5 (E half-diminished) is made of four notes: E (root), G (minor third), Bb (diminished fifth) and D (minor seventh).
How do you play Em7b5 on guitar?
The easiest Em7b5 is the "barre at fret 3" shape. Lay your ring finger flat across the 3rd (G) to the 1st (high E) string at fret 3. This is the barre. Put your index finger on the 5th (A) string at fret 1 (Bb). Put your middle finger on the 4th (D) string at fret 2 (E).
Is Em7b5 hard to play on guitar?
Em7b5 has no open-string shape, so every version needs a barre or a stretch. The easiest one is rated medium.
What key is Em7b5 in?
Em7b5 belongs to 2 keys: F major (as the vii°ø7 chord) and D minor (as the ii°ø7 chord).
What does a half-diminished chord sound like?
The half-diminished chord (minor seventh flat five) is the ii chord of a minor key and a key part of minor ii-V-i progressions in jazz.