Bbm7b5 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
Bb3 · Db4 · Fb4 · Ab4
With bass · rootless
Left hand
Fb3 · Ab3 · Db4
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 Bbm7b5 chord
Other names: Bb minor 7th flat 5, Bb half-diminished, Bbø7, Bbm7♭5
Music theory name: half-diminished seventh chord
Common name: Bb half-diminished chord
Notes and intervals in the Bbm7b5 chord
| Note | Interval |
|---|---|
| Bb | Root |
| Db | Minor 3rd |
| Fb | Diminished 5th |
| Ab | Minor 7th |
Inversions
1st inversion
Db4 · Fb4 · Ab4 · Bb4
2nd inversion
Fb4 · Ab4 · Bb4 · Db5