Abm7b5 Piano Chord
A key chord of minor jazz. Occurs naturally as the ii chord in minor keys (in ii–V–i progressions). Less tense than the fully diminished seventh chord.
Recommended voicing
Ab3 · Cb4 · D4 · Gb4
With bass · rootless
Left hand
D3 · Gb3 · Cb4
fingers 5–3–1
Right hand
Free
melody / improvisation
Jazz accompaniment with a bass player: the bass supplies the root, leaving the right hand free for melody or improvisation.
Other names for the Abm7b5 chord
Other names: Ab minor 7th flat 5, Ab half-diminished, Abø7, Abm7♭5
Music theory name: half-diminished seventh chord
Common name: Ab half-diminished chord
Notes and intervals in the Abm7b5 chord
| Note | Interval |
|---|---|
| Ab | Root |
| Cb | Minor 3rd |
| D | Diminished 5th |
| Gb | Minor 7th |
Inversions
1st inversion
Cb4 · D4 · Gb4 · Ab4
2nd inversion
D4 · Gb4 · Ab4 · Cb5