Practice the F m7b5 Guitar Chord with Our Interactive Trainer

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F m7b5 position 1 guitar chord diagram

The F half-diminished chord is usually written Fm7b5 and uses the notes F, Ab, Cb and Eb. The name m7b5 is a short description: a minor seventh chord with a flat fifth. Open strings feature in one of the 3 voicings on this page.

The Cb here is a theoretical spelling: it keeps one letter name for each chord tone, although it sounds like an easier note. For lead lines, reach for the F Locrian scale: it holds each note of the chord, so every chord tone is available. Try the chord in progressions in jazz to hear how it connects to its neighbours. Pick a tempo for the drum loop in the player at the top, then play along to keep the chord steady in time.

F minor 7th with flat 5th guitar chord is also written as Fm7b5, Fm7(b5), Fø7 or Fmin7b5. It is also known as the F half-diminished chord.

Notes that compose the F m7b5 chord:

F Ab Cb Eb

Chord Structure:

1
b2
2
b3
3
4
b5
5
#5
6
b7
7

F M7b5 Guitar Chord Diagrams

Position 1 Movable

F m7b5 position 1 guitar chord diagram

Finger Positions

  • Mute the low E string
  • Mute the high E string
  • Place your index finger (1) on the fret 8 of the A string
  • Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 8 of the G string
  • Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 9 of the D string
  • Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 9 of the B string

Position 2 Movable

F m7b5 position 2 guitar chord diagram

Finger Positions

  • Mute the low E string
  • Mute the D string
  • Place your index finger (1) on the fret 7 of the high E string
  • Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 8 of the A string
  • Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 8 of the G string
  • Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 9 of the B string

Position 3 Open

F m7b5 position 3 guitar chord diagram

Finger Positions

  • Mute the A string
  • Let the B string play without pressing any fret
  • Mute the high E string
  • Place your index finger (1) on the fret 1 of the low E string
  • Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 1 of the D string
  • Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 1 of the G string

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Play This Chord With Other Roots

C m7b5 | D m7b5 | E m7b5 | F m7b5 | G m7b5 | A m7b5 | B m7b5 | C#m7b5 | D#m7b5 | F#m7b5 | G#m7b5 | A#m7b5 | Abm7b5 | Bbm7b5 | Dbm7b5 | Ebm7b5 | Gbm7b5

Giancarlo Facoetti, founder of FaChords Guitar

Created by

Giancarlo Facoetti

Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher

FAQ

What notes are in the Fm7b5 chord?

Fm7b5 is spelled F, Ab, Cb and Eb. These are the root, minor third, flat fifth and minor seventh. Cb sounds like B.

Why is the flat fifth of Fm7b5 written Cb?

The fifth of F falls on the letter C, so lowering it gives Cb. It sounds like B, but C is the letter the chord needs for its fifth.

Is Fm7b5 different from Fdim7?

Yes, by one note. Fm7b5 ends on Eb, a minor seventh, while Fdim7 lowers it to Ebb. Both begin with F, Ab and Cb.

Which scale matches Fm7b5?

The F Locrian scale, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, contains all four chord tones. It works as a pool of notes over Fm7b5.

In which keys does Fm7b5 appear as a diatonic chord?

Fm7b5 is the vii chord of F# major and the ii chord of Eb minor. Both keys contain all four of its notes.

How many Fm7b5 voicings are there on guitar?

There are 3 voicings, 1 of them using an open string and none using a barre. They run from fret 1 to fret 9.