F minor 7th flat 5th chord on ukulele (Fm7♭5)

Why it sounds like that

F minor 7th flat 5th uses the formula 1, ♭3, ♭5, ♭7. The diminished 5th from F to C♭ gives the chord its tense quality. Compare it with F minor 7th, which raises the ♭5 to a perfect 5th.

What goes wrong with F minor 7th flat 5th?

• Letting the pinky flatten and mute the C string.
• Pressing the ring finger too hard, causing the A string to go sharp.
• Strumming before the index finger is fully set on the G string.

When to use it

F minor 7th flat 5th functions as the ii chord in E♭ natural minor, leading to B♭7 before resolving to E♭m. It also appears as the vii half-diminished chord in F♯ major. Use it in jazz or funk progressions, alongside F minor or A♭ major.

Changing to and from F minor 7th flat 5th

• Sliding the shape up one fret to the 2nd fret gives F♯ minor 7th flat 5th.
• From F minor 7th flat 5th, lift the pinky and move the ring finger to fret 3 on the A string to form F minor 7th.

Which voicing to use

The default voicing has E♭ in the bass, making it a first inversion. For a root-position Fm7♭5, use the shape at frets 4-5-4-6, which places F on the G string and C♭ on the E string.