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D 7th flat 5 chord on bass (D7♭5)
Also called or written D7♭5, D, D Dominant 7th Flat 5 or D 7th ♭5
D 7th flat 5 contains D, F♯, A♭ and C. The 10th-fret shape is high on the neck, where the frets are close and the stretch is easier.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, ♭5, ♭7
- Root positionD–F♯–A♭–CD7♭510-11-10-11
- First inversionF♯–A♭–C–DD7♭5/F♯2-3-0-1
- Second inversionA♭–C–D–F♯D7♭5/A♭4-5-4-5
- Third inversionC–D–F♯–A♭D7♭5/Cno shape on this instrument
How do you play a D 7th flat 5 chord on bass?
D 7th flat 5 is played at the 10th fret as 10 11 10 11: index finger on the E string at fret 10, ring finger on the A string at fret 11, middle finger on the D string at fret 10 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 11.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10 | 1 | D (1) |
| 3 (A) | 11 | 3 | A♭ (♭5) |
| 2 (D) | 10 | 2 | C (♭7) |
| 1 (G) | 11 | 4 | F♯ (3) |
AdvancedThe 10th-fret shape requires the pinky to reach fret 11 on the 1st string while the index holds fret 10 on the 4th string, stretching the left hand.
D7♭5/F♯ inversion
D 7th flat 5 is played in open position as 2 3 0 1: middle finger on the E string at fret 2, ring finger on the A string at fret 3 and index finger on the G string at fret 1. The D string rings open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2 | 2 | F♯ (3) |
| 3 (A) | 3 | 3 | C (♭7) |
| 2 (D) | open | — | D (1) |
| 1 (G) | 1 | 1 | A♭ (♭5) |
D7♭5/A♭ inversion
D 7th flat 5 is played at the 4th fret as 4 5 4 5: index finger on the E string at fret 4, ring finger on the A string at fret 5, middle finger on the D string at fret 4 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 5.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4 | 1 | A♭ (♭5) |
| 3 (A) | 5 | 3 | D (1) |
| 2 (D) | 4 | 2 | F♯ (3) |
| 1 (G) | 5 | 4 | C (♭7) |
Why it sounds like that
D 7th flat 5 is built from the formula 1, 3, ♭5, ♭7. The diminished 5th between D and A♭ defines its unstable quality. Compare it with D 7th, which has a perfect 5th.
What goes wrong with D 7th flat 5?
- Letting the pinky collapse on the 1st string, which mutes the C at fret 11.
- Pressing the ring finger too flat on the 3rd string, so it deadens the 2nd string next to it.
- Striking the open 5th string, which is not part of the chord and adds an unwanted D.
When to use it
D 7th flat 5 functions as a dominant chord in G minor or as a passing chord in jazz. It can substitute for D 7th when the ♭5 is needed. Its tense sound fits bebop and fusion lines.
Changing to and from D 7th flat 5
- Move to C 7th flat 5 by sliding the shape down two frets to the 8th fret.
- Move to E♭ 7th flat 5 by sliding the shape up one fret to the 11th fret.
Which voicing to use
The 10th-fret shape keeps D in the bass for a root-position sound. The D7♭5/F♯ inversion at fret 2 puts the 3rd in the bass, and the D7♭5/A♭ inversion at fret 4 puts the ♭5 in the bass, creating a darker, less stable feel.
Other D chords
Common questions
How is D 7th flat 5 written?
D 7th flat 5 is written D7♭5 or D. The symbol D is also used, and the chord is sometimes called Dominant 7th Flat 5.
What is the difference between D7♭5 and D7?
D7♭5 has a diminished 5th (A♭) instead of the perfect 5th (A) in D7. That one note changes the chord from bluesy to tense and unresolved.
Can D7♭5 be used in place of D7?
D7♭5 can replace D7 when the melody or solo uses the ♭5. In a standard blues, the ♭5 may clash with the expected perfect 5th, so use it selectively.