GB HALF-DIMINISHED - PIANO

Gb Half-Diminished chord diagram for Piano - Bass position 999

Chord composition

I ♭III ♭V ♭VII
Root Minor third Diminished fifth Minor seventh
F# A C E

ALL ABOUT THE GB HALF-DIMINISHED CHORD

Chord Composition

The Gb Half-Diminished chord is composed of 4 notes :

  • F# (Root)
  • A (Minor third)
  • C (Diminished fifth)
  • E (Minor seventh)

These notes form a half-diminished chord, creating soft tension often used in jazz.

How to play Gb Half-Diminished on piano

The m7b5 chord (also called half-diminished or ø7) combines a diminished triad with a minor seventh.

  • Minor ii degree function: in the ii-V-i progression in minor
  • Locrian mode: characteristic chord of the 7th mode of the major scale
  • Jazz voicings: often played without root for a more modern sound

Less tense than dim7, the m7b5 is the ii degree chord in minor, essential in minor jazz progressions.

Common uses of Gb Half-Diminished

The m7b5 chord plays a specific role:

  • Minor ii-V-i: ii degree function (iim7b5 - V7 - im7)
  • Minor jazz: fundamental jazz progression
  • Locrian mode: 7th degree chord of the major scale

Styles

Jazz: ii degree in minor progressions, very frequent.

Bossa nova: enriches minor progressions.

Soul: adds sophistication to minor ballads.