Which notes are in the E7♭5 chord?

E7♭5 contains the notes E, G#, A# and D. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7.

How many ways can you play E7♭5?

Minory lists a single guitar fingering for E7♭5.

Is the E7♭5 chord hard to play?

Not really. The open position of E7♭5 uses open strings and needs no barre, which makes it approachable for beginners.

E dominant 7th flat 5 · Guitar

E7♭5 Chord on Guitar

The E7♭5 chord (E dominant 7th flat 5) is built from the notes E, G#, A# and D. The guitar fingering for it is shown below.

Chord diagrams

E7♭5open position

Fingering

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

Notes in this chord

E
G♯
A♯
D

Degrees: 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7

How to play

E7♭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 E7♭5 this structure sits on the root E, so the degrees 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7 map onto E, G#, A# and D.

Frequently asked questions

Which notes are in the E7♭5 chord?: E7♭5 contains the notes E, G#, A# and D. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7.
How many ways can you play E7♭5?: Minory lists a single guitar fingering for E7♭5.
Is the E7♭5 chord hard to play?: Not really. The open position of E7♭5 uses open strings and needs no barre, which makes it approachable for beginners.

Practise E7♭5 on your phone

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