Which notes are in the B7♭5 chord?

B7♭5 contains the notes B, D#, F and A. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7.

How many ways can you play B7♭5?

Minory lists a single guitar fingering for B7♭5.

Is the B7♭5 chord hard to play?

Not really. The open position of B7♭5 uses open strings and needs no barre, which makes it approachable for beginners.

B dominant 7th flat 5 · Guitar

B7♭5 Chord on Guitar

The B7♭5 chord (B dominant 7th flat 5) is built from the notes B, D#, F and A. The guitar fingering for it is shown below.

Chord diagrams

B7♭5open position

Fingering

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

Notes in this chord

B
D♯
F
A

Degrees: 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7

How to play

B7♭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 B7♭5 this structure sits on the root B, so the degrees 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7 map onto B, D#, F and A.

Frequently asked questions

Which notes are in the B7♭5 chord?: B7♭5 contains the notes B, D#, F and A. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7.
How many ways can you play B7♭5?: Minory lists a single guitar fingering for B7♭5.
Is the B7♭5 chord hard to play?: Not really. The open position of B7♭5 uses open strings and needs no barre, which makes it approachable for beginners.

Practise B7♭5 on your phone

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