B dominant 7th flat 5 · Piano
B7♭5 Chord on Piano
The B7♭5 chord (B dominant 7th flat 5) is built from the notes B, D#, F and A. The keyboard diagram below shows exactly which keys to press.
Chord diagrams
Notes in this chord
- B
- D♯
- F
- A
Degrees: 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7
How to play
To play B7♭5 on piano, press B, D#, F and A together. In root position the lowest note is B, and the finger numbers follow the keys left to right in the diagram.
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.
Practise B7♭5 on your phone
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