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Fm7b5 Guitar Chord

Fm7b5 guitar chord: see the fingering, compare positions, and hear it before you play.

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Shape 1/2
Chord shapes:(2 positions)
Fm7b5Guitar fingering diagram for Fm7b512341×23×STRING6ªF5ª×4ªD#3ªG#2ªB1ª×
View HD sheet

What sets Fm7b5 apart

Play Fm7b5 one string at a time and you hear F, Ab, Cb and Eb. F is the root, Ab the minor third, Cb the flat fifth and Eb the minor seventh. Said aloud, its notes are F, A flat, C flat and E flat.

From the low string to the high one you hear F, Eb, Ab and Cb. The lowest note is F on string 6 and the highest is Cb on string 2.

In Fm7b5, string 2 is played open and adds Cb. Strings 5 and 1 are not played. Every finger presses at fret 1. The second shape on this page starts at fret 8.

Fdim7 is one change away. String 4 is left open, bringing in Ebb, the diminished seventh of Fdim7. Fm7b5 holds the whole Abm chord inside it, Ab, Cb and Eb. Going to Fm, two positions stay the same.

Fm7b5 shows up in two keys. In F# major it is the viiø7 and in D# minor the iiø7.

Chord Progressions

Explore recommended harmonic circles on CifraLab:

01C C - Am - Dm - G702G G - Em - Am - D703D D - Bm - Em - A704A A - F#m - Bm - E7
Music Theory & Formula

Component notes and harmonic structure (Fm7b5)

Formula: Half-Diminished (1 - ♭3 - ♭5 - ♭7)
Constituent chord intervals:

F 1Ab ♭3Cb ♭5Eb ♭7

Root Bass (Fundamental String)6th String (Low E) • Fret 1 (F)

String Control (Muted & Active)4 / 6 • 2 X Muted

2 Fretboard Positions

Other fretboard positions for Fm7b5:

01

position 1

Standard Position
4 / 6 stringsRoot: 6th String (Low E)
String Control (Muted & Active):
Root
6th String (Low E)
Fret 1Finger 1
FDegree 1
5th String (A)
×Muted
Do not play
4th String (D)
Fret 1Finger 2
EbDegree ♭7
3rd String (G)
Fret 1Finger 3
AbDegree ♭3
2nd String (B)
○Open
B
1st String (High E)
×Muted
Do not play

Placement tip: Press: 6th String (Low E) at fret 1 with your Index finger, 4th String (D) at fret 1 with your Middle finger, 3rd String (G) at fret 1 with your Ring finger. Play open: 2nd String (B). Don't play: 5th String (A), 1st String (High E).

02

position 8

Inversion
4 / 6 stringsRoot: 5th String (A)
String Control (Muted & Active):
6th String (Low E)
×Muted
Do not play
Root
5th String (A)
Fret 8Finger 1
FDegree 1
4th String (D)
Fret 9Finger 3
B
3rd String (G)
Fret 8Finger 2
EbDegree ♭7
2nd String (B)
Fret 9Finger 4
AbDegree ♭3
1st String (High E)
×Muted
Do not play

Placement tip: Press: 5th String (A) at fret 8 with your Index finger, 4th String (D) at fret 9 with your Ring finger, 3rd String (G) at fret 8 with your Middle finger, 2nd String (B) at fret 9 with your Pinky finger. Don't play: 6th String (Low E), 1st String (High E).

Biomechanics & Posture

Ergonomic tips to play without tension or fatigue (Fm7b5)

Standard Position

The shape in numbers

ItemIn this chord
Fretsfret 1
Fretting fingers3
Open2nd
Muted5th and 1st

What to check

The open 2nd string sits next to a fretting finger.

The 5th string stays muted between strings that ring.

What every chord shares is in the fingering reading.

Transitions & Pivot Fingers

Most common chord transitions from Fm7b5

Listen: Fm7b5 → Fm · C · C7

  1. Fm7b5
  2. Fm
  3. Fm7b5
  4. C
  5. Fm7b5
  6. C7
Fm7b5 → Fm01
Pivot / Anchor Finger:2 shared positions
Stay in place
  • string 6, fret 1
  • string 3, fret 1
Move
  • string 5, fret 3
  • string 4, fret 3
  • string 2, fret 1
  • string 1, fret 1
Fm7b5 → C02
Pivot / Anchor Finger:Full shape change

No finger is shared: place the bass on string 5 first, then the rest of the shape.

Move
  • finger 3: string 5, fret 3
  • finger 2: string 4, fret 2
  • finger 1: string 2, fret 1
Fm7b5 → C703
Pivot / Anchor Finger:Full shape change

No finger is shared: place the bass on string 5 first, then the rest of the shape.

Move
  • finger 3: string 5, fret 3
  • finger 2: string 4, fret 2
  • finger 4: string 3, fret 3
  • finger 1: string 2, fret 1

Fm7b5 in every key

Fm7b5 sits in the scale of 2 keys.

Main shape at a glance

Difficulty
2/5
Highest fret
1
Frets the hand covers
1
Barre
No
Strings that ring
4/6
Fretting fingers
3

Major keys

Minor keys

Fm7b5 on other instruments

PianoThe same notes on the keyboard.All togetherHear guitar, piano, bass and violin together.
Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about the chord (Fm7b5)

The questions that come up most when playing this chord

Which strings are played and which are muted in the Fm7b5 chord?

To play the Fm7b5 chord on guitar, only 4 strings are played, from string 6 to string 2. Muted strings must be gently dampened with the fleshy side of a fretting finger to prevent dissonance.

What is the root bass note of the Fm7b5 chord and on which string is it located?

The primary bass note of the Fm7b5 chord is its root note: F. In standard guitar tuning (EADGBe), this bass note is located on string 6 at fret 1.

When strumming or fingerpicking, strike this string first.

What notes make up the Fm7b5 chord and what is its formula?

The Fm7b5 chord is constructed using the 1 - ♭3 - ♭5 - ♭7 formula (Half-Diminished). Its constituent pitches are F, Ab, Cb, Eb.

How do you prevent the Fm7b5 chord from buzzing or sounding muted?

To prevent the Fm7b5 chord from buzzing or sounding muted, press the strings using the tips of your fingers at a strict 90-degree hammer angle. Position each finger immediately behind the fret wire with your thumb centered behind the neck.

Study sheet · High resolution

Official Fm7b5 chord diagram

Fm7b5 guitar chord diagram with fingering for fingers 1 to 4
Download HD sheet

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Other chords in the F family:

Chord F Chord F# Chord F#m Chord Fm Chord F7 Chord F#7 Chord Fmaj7 Chord F#maj7