Also written E7♭5, E or E Dominant 7th Flat 5
E 7th flat 5 contains E, G♯, B♭ and D. The open position uses open strings and a single fretted note, making it the easiest shape for this chord.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
E 7th flat 5 is built from the formula 1, 3, ♭5, ♭7. The diminished 5th between E and B♭ defines its unstable quality. Compare it with E 7th, which has a perfect 5th.
E 7th flat 5 functions as a dominant chord in A minor or as a passing chord in jazz. It can substitute for E 7th when the ♭5 is needed. Its tense sound fits bebop and fusion lines.
The open position keeps E in the bass for a root-position sound. The E7♭5/B♭ inversion at fret 6 puts the ♭5 in the bass, creating a darker, less stable feel.
E 7th flat 5 is played in open position as 0 1 0 1: index finger on the A string at fret 1 and middle finger on the G string at fret 1. The E and D strings ring open.
Tip — The open position requires the index and middle fingers to fret the 3rd and 1st strings cleanly without muting the open 4th and 2nd strings.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | open | — | E (1) |
| 3 (A) | 1 | 1 | B♭ (♭5) |
| 2 (D) | open | — | D (♭7) |
| 1 (G) | 1 | 2 | G♯ (3) |
E 7th flat 5 is played at the 12th fret as 12 13 12 13: index finger on the E string at fret 12, ring finger on the A string at fret 13, middle finger on the D string at fret 12 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 13.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 12 | 1 | E (1) |
| 3 (A) | 13 | 3 | B♭ (♭5) |
| 2 (D) | 12 | 2 | D (♭7) |
| 1 (G) | 13 | 4 | G♯ (3) |
E 7th flat 5 is played at the 6th fret as 6 7 6 7: index finger on the E string at fret 6, ring finger on the A string at fret 7, middle finger on the D string at fret 6 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 7.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6 | 1 | B♭ (♭5) |
| 3 (A) | 7 | 3 | E (1) |
| 2 (D) | 6 | 2 | G♯ (3) |
| 1 (G) | 7 | 4 | D (♭7) |
E 7th flat 5 is written E7♭5 or E. The symbol E is also used, and the chord is sometimes called Dominant 7th Flat 5.
E7♭5 has a diminished 5th (B♭) instead of the perfect 5th (B) in E7. That one note changes the chord from bluesy to tense and unresolved.
E7♭5 can replace E7 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.