F Half-Diminished 7th Chord
Notes
F - Ab - B - Eb
The F Half-Diminished 7th chord contains 4 notes: F, Ab, B, Eb. It is built using the following intervals from the root: Root, Minor 3rd, Tritone, Minor 7th. On the piano keyboard diagram above, the highlighted keys show exactly which keys you need to press to play this chord.
How Is the F Half-Diminished 7th Chord Built?
A half-diminished 7th chord (also called minor 7 flat 5, or m7b5) is a diminished triad with a minor seventh added. Formula: Root + Minor 3rd + Diminished 5th + Minor 7th. It differs from a full diminished 7th in that the seventh is a minor seventh (10 semitones) rather than a diminished seventh (9 semitones).
Starting from F, the notes of this chord are: F (the root), Ab (the Minor 3rd), B (the Tritone), Eb (the Minor 7th).
What Key Is the F Half-Diminished 7th Chord In?
The half-diminished 7th chord appears as the viim7b5 in major keys and as the iim7b5 in minor keys. In minor key ii-V-I progressions, the iim7b5 is the standard starting chord. For example, in C minor: Dm7b5 → G7alt → Cm(maj7).
Fingering
Left Hand
5 - 3 - 2 - 1
Use fingers: Pinky, Middle, Index, Thumb. Place your left hand in a relaxed position and press the corresponding keys simultaneously.
Right Hand
1 - 2 - 3 - 5
Use fingers: Thumb, Index, Middle, Pinky. Keep your right hand curved and relaxed. These fingerings are suggestions — adjust them if you find a more comfortable position for your hand.
For more detailed fingering advice and exercises, check out our complete fingering guide.
Sound Character
The F Half-Diminished 7th chord sounds somber, mysterious, and jazz-like. Commonly found as the ii chord in minor key ii-V-I progressions. It has a melancholic quality that is less harsh than a full diminished 7th, making it more usable in modern harmonic contexts.
Common Uses of the Half-Diminished 7th Chord
Half-diminished chords are essential in jazz harmony. They serve as the ii chord in minor key ii-V-I progressions and add a somber, introspective quality. You will also find them in classical music, particularly in passages that modulate to remote keys. They sound less harsh than full diminished 7th chords, making them more usable in modern contexts.
Practice Tips for the F Half-Diminished 7th Chord
Practice the minor key ii-V-I: Dm7b5 → G7 → Cm. This is one of the most important progressions in jazz. The half-diminished chord sets up the tension that the dominant 7th amplifies before resolving to the minor tonic.
You can also find more exercises and practice ideas on our fingerings guide and chord progressions page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between half-diminished and diminished?
Half-diminished (m7b5) has a minor seventh while full diminished has a diminished seventh. Half-diminished is less tense and more commonly used in jazz as the ii chord in minor key ii-V-I progressions.
Why is it called "half-diminished"?
Because only the triad part is diminished (root, minor third, diminished fifth) — the seventh is "only" a minor seventh, not a fully diminished seventh. It is "halfway" between a minor 7th and a fully diminished 7th.
Learn More About Piano Chords
If you want to deepen your understanding of the F Half-Diminished 7th chord and piano harmony in general, these guides will help:
- All Piano Chord Types — a complete overview of every chord type with examples
- Piano Keyboard Notes — understand the layout of the keyboard and find any note
- Chord Notation Guide — learn to read chord symbols in sheet music and lead sheets
- Piano Chord Fingerings — proper finger technique for all chord types
- Chord Progressions — how to combine chords into musical sequences
- Chord Inversions — play the F Half-Diminished 7th chord in different positions