A# dominant 7th flat 5 · Guitar
A#7♭5 Chord on Guitar
The A#7♭5 chord (A# dominant 7th flat 5) is built from the notes A#, D, E and G#. The guitar fingering for it is shown below. The same chord is also written Bb7♭5; both spellings sound identical.
Chord diagrams
Fingering
- string 6 (E): fret 6 — middle finger
- string 5 (A): muted
- string 4 (D): fret 6 — ring finger
- string 3 (G): fret 7 — little finger
- string 2 (B): fret 5 — index finger
- string 1 (E): muted
Notes in this chord
- A♯
- D
- E
- G♯
Degrees: 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7
Also written: Bb7♭5
How to play
A#7♭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 A#7♭5 this structure sits on the root A#, so the degrees 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7 map onto A#, D, E and G#.
Frequently asked questions
- Which notes are in the A#7♭5 chord?
- A#7♭5 contains the notes A#, D, E and G#. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7.
- How many ways can you play A#7♭5?
- Minory lists a single guitar fingering for A#7♭5.
- Is the A#7♭5 chord hard to play?
- A#7♭5 requires a barre, so it can feel demanding at first. Keeping the index finger straight and pressing from the wrist rather than the thumb makes it noticeably easier.
- Are A#7♭5 and Bb7♭5 the same chord?
- Yes. A#7♭5 and Bb7♭5 are enharmonically identical — the spelling differs but the frets and keys are the same. Which name is used depends on the key of the piece.
Practise A#7♭5 on your phone
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