Which notes are in the A7♭5 chord?

A7♭5 contains the notes A, C#, D# and G. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7.

How many ways can you play A7♭5?

Minory lists a single guitar fingering for A7♭5.

Is the A7♭5 chord hard to play?

Not really. The open position of A7♭5 uses open strings and needs no barre, which makes it approachable for beginners.

A dominant 7th flat 5 · Guitar

A7♭5 Chord on Guitar

The A7♭5 chord (A dominant 7th flat 5) is built from the notes A, C#, D# and G. The guitar fingering for it is shown below.

Chord diagrams

A7♭5open position

Fingering

string 6 (E): muted
string 5 (A): played open
string 4 (D): fret 1 — index finger
string 3 (G): fret 2 — middle finger
string 2 (B): fret 2 — ring finger
string 1 (E): fret 3 — little finger

Notes in this chord

A
C♯
D♯
G

Degrees: 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7

How to play

A7♭5 can be played with open strings on guitar, which makes it an accessible shape for beginners. Strings marked ○ ring open, while strings marked ✕ are muted.

Theory behind the chord

The 7♭5 chord lowers the fifth of a dominant seventh, thinning out the chord and sharpening its tension. It shows up in jazz and in altered dominant sounds heading towards a resolution. On A7♭5 this structure sits on the root A, so the degrees 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7 map onto A, C#, D# and G.

Frequently asked questions

Which notes are in the A7♭5 chord?: A7♭5 contains the notes A, C#, D# and G. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7.
How many ways can you play A7♭5?: Minory lists a single guitar fingering for A7♭5.
Is the A7♭5 chord hard to play?: Not really. The open position of A7♭5 uses open strings and needs no barre, which makes it approachable for beginners.

Practise A7♭5 on your phone

Minory bundles the full chord library with a tuner, metronome and repertoire notebook — and it all works offline.