C dominant 7th flat 5 · Piano
C7♭5 Chord on Piano
The C7♭5 chord (C dominant 7th flat 5) is built from the notes C, E, F# and A#. The keyboard diagram below shows exactly which keys to press.
Chord diagrams
Notes in this chord
- C
- E
- F♯
- A♯
Degrees: 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7
How to play
To play C7♭5 on piano, press C, E, F# and A# together. In root position the lowest note is C, 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 C7♭5 this structure sits on the root C, so the degrees 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7 map onto C, E, F# and A#.
Frequently asked questions
- Which notes are in the C7♭5 chord?
- C7♭5 contains the notes C, E, F# and A#. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7.
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