Also written Em7♭5, E or E Half Diminished Minor 7
E minor 7th flat 5th is built from E, G, B♭, and D. The open shape uses three open strings and one fretted note, making it the easiest position.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
E minor 7th flat 5th uses the formula 1, ♭3, ♭5, ♭7. The diminished 5th between E and B♭ gives the chord its tense, unresolved quality. Compare it to E minor 7th, which raises the ♭5 to a perfect 5th.
E minor 7th flat 5th is the ii chord in D natural minor, leading to A7 and then Dm. Use it in minor-key jazz and blues lines where the ♭5 adds tension. It also works over E minor and E 5th chords.
The open shape keeps E in the bass for a root-position sound. The Em7♭5/B♭ inversion at the 5th fret puts the ♭5 in the bass, creating a darker, less stable feel.
E minor 7th flat 5th is played in open position as 0 1 0 0: index finger on the A string at fret 1. The E, D and G strings ring open.
Tip — The index finger must fret the A string at the 1st fret without touching the open D or G strings.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | open | — | E (1) |
| 3 (A) | 1 | 1 | B♭ (♭5) |
| 2 (D) | open | — | D (♭7) |
| 1 (G) | open | — | G (♭3) |
E minor 7th flat 5th is played at the 12th fret as 12 13 12 12: index finger on the E string at fret 12, pinky finger on the A string at fret 13, middle finger on the D string at fret 12 and ring finger on the G string at fret 12.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 12 | 1 | E (1) |
| 3 (A) | 13 | 4 | B♭ (♭5) |
| 2 (D) | 12 | 2 | D (♭7) |
| 1 (G) | 12 | 3 | G (♭3) |
E minor 7th flat 5th is played at the 5th fret as 6 7 5 7: middle finger on the E string at fret 6, ring finger on the A string at fret 7, index finger on the D string at fret 5 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 7.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6 | 2 | B♭ (♭5) |
| 3 (A) | 7 | 3 | E (1) |
| 2 (D) | 5 | 1 | G (♭3) |
| 1 (G) | 7 | 4 | D (♭7) |
E minor 7th flat 5th is played at the 8th fret as 10 10 8 9: ring finger on the E string at fret 10, pinky finger on the A string at fret 10, index finger on the D string at fret 8 and middle finger on the G string at fret 9.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10 | 3 | D (♭7) |
| 3 (A) | 10 | 4 | G (♭3) |
| 2 (D) | 8 | 1 | B♭ (♭5) |
| 1 (G) | 9 | 2 | E (1) |
E minor 7th flat 5th is written Em7♭5 or E half-diminished minor 7. The symbol E is also used.
E minor 7th flat 5th adds a minor 7th (D) to the diminished triad E–G–B♭. E diminished has only the triad, making it less dissonant.
E minor 7th flat 5th can substitute for E minor 7th in minor keys when you want a darker color. The ♭5 creates tension that resolves to the tonic.