Also written Gm7♭5, G or G Half Diminished Minor 7
G minor 7th flat 5th is built from G, B♭, D♭, and F. The 0-1-1-1 grip bars the index finger across the top three strings at fret 1 while the G string rings open.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
G minor 7th flat 5th is built from the 1, ♭3, ♭5, and ♭7 of the G minor scale. The diminished 5th between G and D♭ creates the chord's characteristic tension. Compare it to G minor 7th, which raises the ♭5 to a perfect 5th and sounds more consonant.
G minor 7th flat 5th is the ii chord in F natural minor, leading to C7 and then F minor. It also functions as the vii chord in A♭ major. Use it in jazz and minor-key progressions that need a half-diminished color with a barre.
The 0-1-1-1 voicing places D♭ in the bass, making it a first-inversion shape that is tense and unstable. For a root-position sound, use the 6-7-6-8 grip, which puts G in the bass and gives a firmer foundation.
G minor 7th flat 5th is played in open position as 0 1 1 1: barre your index finger across fret 1. The G string rings open.
Tip — The default voicing requires a three-string barre at fret 1 while keeping the G string open, which demands even pressure and a clean arch.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | open | — | G (1) |
| 3 (C) | 1 | 1 (barre) | D♭ (♭5) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 1 (barre) | F (♭7) |
| 1 (A) | 1 | 1 (barre) | B♭ (♭3) |
G minor 7th flat 5th is played at the 3rd fret as 3 5 3 4: index finger on the G string at fret 3, pinky finger on the C string at fret 5, middle finger on the E string at fret 3 and ring finger on the A string at fret 4.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3 | 1 | B♭ (♭3) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 4 | F (♭7) |
| 2 (E) | 3 | 2 | G (1) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 3 | D♭ (♭5) |
G minor 7th flat 5th is played at the 6th fret as 6 7 6 8: index finger on the G string at fret 6, ring finger on the C string at fret 7, middle finger on the E string at fret 6 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 8.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6 | 1 | D♭ (♭5) |
| 3 (C) | 7 | 3 | G (1) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 2 | B♭ (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | 8 | 4 | F (♭7) |
G minor 7th flat 5th is played at the 9th fret as 10 10 9 10: middle finger on the G string at fret 10, ring finger on the C string at fret 10, index finger on the E string at fret 9 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 10.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 10 | 2 | F (♭7) |
| 3 (C) | 10 | 3 | B♭ (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 9 | 1 | D♭ (♭5) |
| 1 (A) | 10 | 4 | G (1) |
G minor 7th flat 5th is played in open position as 0 5 6 4: middle finger on the C string at fret 5, ring finger on the E string at fret 6 and index finger on the A string at fret 4. The G string rings open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | open | — | G (1) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 2 | F (♭7) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 3 | B♭ (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 1 | D♭ (♭5) |
G minor 7th flat 5th is written as Gm7♭5 or Gø7. It may also be called Half Diminished Minor 7.
Its verified note order explains the sound without relying on outside harmony. The diminished 7th is more symmetrical and tense.
Not usually. The flat 5th changes the chord's function, making it a half-diminished chord that typically resolves differently than a minor 7th.