E half-diminished chord on piano

Em7♭5 · Eø7 — a diminished triad with a minor seventh: the ii chord of a minor key.

NotesE – G – B♭ – D
Formula1 – ♭3 – ♭5 – ♭7
SymbolsEm7♭5, Eø7
Fingering (root position)Right hand 1 2 3 5 · Left hand 5 3 2 1

How to play E half-diminished on the piano

Start on E. Add G, B♭, D. With the right hand use fingers 1 2 3 5; with the left hand 5 3 2 1. Press the keys together for the chord, or one after another for an arpeggio.

Inversions

The same notes in a different order: the lowest note changes, the chord stays E half-diminished. Inversions let you move between chords with small steps.

Root position

E – G – B♭ – D · RH 1 2 3 5 · LH 5 3 2 1

1st inversion

G – B♭ – D – E · RH 1 2 3 5 · LH 5 3 2 1

2nd inversion

B♭ – D – E – G · RH 1 2 4 5 · LH 5 3 2 1

3rd inversion

D – E – G – B♭ · RH 1 2 3 5 · LH 5 4 2 1

Which keys use E half-diminished

In these keys the chord is built from the notes of the scale itself:

Other E chords

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