F# dominant 7th flat 5 · Guitar
F#7♭5 Chord on Guitar
The F#7♭5 chord (F# dominant 7th flat 5) is built from the notes F#, A#, C and E. The guitar fingering for it is shown below. The same chord is also written Gb7♭5; both spellings sound identical.
Chord diagrams
Fingering
- string 6 (E): muted
- string 5 (A): muted
- string 4 (D): fret 4 — little finger
- string 3 (G): fret 3 — ring finger
- string 2 (B): fret 1 — index finger
- string 1 (E): played open
Notes in this chord
- F♯
- A♯
- C
- E
Degrees: 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7
Also written: Gb7♭5
How to play
F#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 F#7♭5 this structure sits on the root F#, so the degrees 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7 map onto F#, A#, C and E.
Frequently asked questions
- Which notes are in the F#7♭5 chord?
- F#7♭5 contains the notes F#, A#, C and E. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7.
- How many ways can you play F#7♭5?
- Minory lists a single guitar fingering for F#7♭5.
- Is the F#7♭5 chord hard to play?
- Not really. The open position of F#7♭5 uses open strings and needs no barre, which makes it approachable for beginners.
- Are F#7♭5 and Gb7♭5 the same chord?
- Yes. F#7♭5 and Gb7♭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 F#7♭5 on your phone
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