A♭ half-diminished (A♭m7b5) chord on piano

Looking for the A♭m7b5 chord on piano? It is a half-diminished seventh chord (a diminished triad plus a minor seventh), made of four notes: A♭ – C♭ – E𝄫 – G♭. The same chord with a different spelling: G♯ half-diminished (G♯m7b5).

Root position: A♭3 – C♭4 – E𝄫4 – G♭4

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What the A♭m7b5 chord sounds like

The half-diminished (m7b5) chord is a diminished triad with a minor seventh. In a minor key it sits on degree ii – the first chord of the minor ii–V–i.

Notes of the A♭m7b5 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	A♭	root
3	C♭	minor third (3 semitones)
5	E𝄫	diminished fifth (6 semitones)
7	G♭	minor seventh (10 semitones)

Root position and inversions

An inversion uses the same notes, with a different note at the bottom. When you change chords, choosing the nearest inversion keeps your hand almost still.

Root position

A♭3 – C♭4 – E𝄫4 – G♭4

1st inversion

C♭4 – E𝄫4 – G♭4 – A♭4

2nd inversion

E𝄫4 – G♭4 – A♭4 – C♭5

3rd inversion

G♭4 – A♭4 – C♭5 – E𝄫5

Similar chords and substitutes

If A♭m7b5 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

E9 – a rootless dominant ninth: the same notes over a root a major third lower
C♯7 – the next chord in a minor ii–V–i (V)

Same notes

Bm6 – the same notes with a different root

Simpler versions

A♭dim – all 3 of its notes are in this chord

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the A♭m7b5 chord?

A♭, C♭, E𝄫, G♭. The root is A♭; the intervals of the other notes from the root: minor third, diminished fifth, minor seventh.

How do I play the A♭m7b5 chord on piano?

In root position, the right hand usually plays with fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb, middle finger, little finger); four-note chords with fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5. The left hand mirrors this: 5, 3, 1. In an inversion the top or bottom note moves to the other side, so your hand moves less when you change chords.

How is the A♭m7b5 chord written?

The chord symbol is A♭m7b5 (also written Abm7b5), and its full name is A♭ half-diminished.