Also written Dm7♭5, D or D Half Diminished Minor 7
D minor 7th flat 5th contains D, F, A♭, and C. The open voicing uses a three-string barre at the 1st fret, requiring even pressure.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
D minor 7th flat 5th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, ♭5, ♭7. The diminished 5th between D and A♭ creates the half-diminished sound. Compare it to D minor 7th, which has a perfect 5th instead.
D minor 7th flat 5th functions as the ii chord in C natural minor, leading to G7 and then C minor. Its somber tone suits classical-influenced pieces and dark folk.
The open voicing has the root D in the bass, while the 3rd fret position offers a movable shape with a barre. The 10th fret position provides a higher, more cutting sound.
D minor 7th flat 5th is played in open position as × × 0 1 1 1: barre your index finger across fret 1. The D string rings open. The low E and A strings stay muted.
Tip — The open voicing requires a three-string barre at the 1st fret while keeping the 4th string open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | muted | — | — |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (1) |
| 3 (G) | 1 | 1 (barre) | A♭ (♭5) |
| 2 (B) | 1 | 1 (barre) | C (♭7) |
| 1 (e) | 1 | 1 (barre) | F (♭3) |
D minor 7th flat 5th is played at the 3rd fret as × 5 3 5 3 4: barre your index finger across fret 3, ring finger on the A string at fret 5, pinky finger on the G string at fret 5 and middle finger on the high e string at fret 4. The low E string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 5 | 3 | D (1) |
| 4 (D) | 3 | 1 (barre) | F (♭3) |
| 3 (G) | 5 | 4 | C (♭7) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 1 (barre) | D (1) |
| 1 (e) | 4 | 2 | A♭ (♭5) |
D minor 7th flat 5th is played at the 5th fret as × 5 6 5 6 ×: index finger on the A string at fret 5, ring finger on the D string at fret 6, middle finger on the G string at fret 5 and pinky finger on the B string at fret 6. The low E and high e strings stay muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 5 | 1 | D (1) |
| 4 (D) | 6 | 3 | A♭ (♭5) |
| 3 (G) | 5 | 2 | C (♭7) |
| 2 (B) | 6 | 4 | F (♭3) |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
D minor 7th flat 5th is played at the 10th fret as 10 11 10 10 × ×: index finger on the low E string at fret 10, pinky finger on the A string at fret 11, middle finger on the D string at fret 10 and ring finger on the G string at fret 10. The B and high e strings stay muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10 | 1 | D (1) |
| 5 (A) | 11 | 4 | A♭ (♭5) |
| 4 (D) | 10 | 2 | C (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 10 | 3 | F (♭3) |
| 2 (B) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
D minor 7th flat 5th is played at the 12th fret as × × 12 13 13 13: index finger on the D string at fret 12, middle finger on the G string at fret 13, ring finger on the B string at fret 13 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 13. The low E and A strings stay muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | muted | — | — |
| 4 (D) | 12 | 1 | D (1) |
| 3 (G) | 13 | 2 | A♭ (♭5) |
| 2 (B) | 13 | 3 | C (♭7) |
| 1 (e) | 13 | 4 | F (♭3) |
D minor 7th flat 5th is written as Dm7♭5 or D half-diminished. The symbol D alone is not used for this chord.
Its verified note order explains the sound without relying on outside harmony. The half-diminished chord is less dissonant.
The open 6th string is E and the open 5th string is A. Neither of which is a chord tone of D minor 7th flat 5th. Muting them keeps the bass note D clear.