F dominant 7th flat 5 · Guitar
F7♭5 Chord on Guitar
The F7♭5 chord (F dominant 7th flat 5) is built from the notes F, A, B and D#. The guitar fingering for it is shown below.
Chord diagrams
Fingering
- string 6 (E): muted
- string 5 (A): muted
- 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
- F
- A
- B
- D♯
Degrees: 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7
How to play
F7♭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 F7♭5 this structure sits on the root F, so the degrees 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7 map onto F, A, B and D#.
Frequently asked questions
- Which notes are in the F7♭5 chord?
- F7♭5 contains the notes F, A, B and D#. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7.
- How many ways can you play F7♭5?
- Minory lists a single guitar fingering for F7♭5.
- Is the F7♭5 chord hard to play?
- Not really. The open position of F7♭5 uses open strings and needs no barre, which makes it approachable for beginners.
Practise F7♭5 on your phone
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