F♯ half-diminished (F♯m7b5) chord on piano

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

Root position: F♯4 – A4 – C5 – E5

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What the F♯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 F♯m7b5 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	F♯	root
3	A	minor third (3 semitones)
5	C	diminished fifth (6 semitones)
7	E	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

F♯4 – A4 – C5 – E5

1st inversion

A4 – C5 – E5 – F♯5

2nd inversion

C5 – E5 – F♯5 – A5

3rd inversion

E5 – F♯5 – A5 – C6

Which keys is it in?

The F♯m7b5 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

G major: viiø7
E minor: iiø7

Similar chords and substitutes

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

Substitutes (by function)

D9 – a rootless dominant ninth: the same notes over a root a major third lower
B7 – the next chord in a minor ii–V–i (V)

Same notes

Am6 – the same notes with a different root

Simpler versions

F♯dim – all 3 of its notes are in this chord

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the F♯m7b5 chord?

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

How do I play the F♯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 F♯m7b5 chord written?

The chord symbol is F♯m7b5 (also written F#m7b5), and its full name is F♯ half-diminished.