Finger Positions

Root Note B

Name B half-diminished over A

Intervals 1P-3m-5d-7m

Relative Minor G#m

Notes B, D, F, A

Aliases Bm7b5, Bø, B-7b5, Bh7, Bh

How to play the Bm7b5/A Chord

The Bm7b5/A is a fundamental dominant chord in guitar music. To play this chord correctly, ensure your fingers are placed precisely on the frets indicated in the diagram above.

Music Theory Analysis

From a theoretical perspective, the B half-diminished over A is built using the 1P, 3m, 5d, 7m intervals. In the key of B Major, this chord functions as the I chord.

Common Progressions

In music composition, the Bm7b5/A chord is often used to create tension or resolution.

I-V-vi-IV

B → F# → G#m → E

vi-IV-I-V

G#m → E → B → F#

The Diatonic Family

Understanding the "family" of chords that belong to B helps with transposition and ear training.

Triads

B C#m D#m E F# G#m A#dim

7ths

Bmaj7 C#m7 D#m7 Emaj7 F#7 G#m7 A#m7b5

Scale Compatibility

View All Scales

Minor Blues Locrian Locrian Pentatonic Super Locrian Pentatonic Altered Locrian #2 Locrian 6 Dorian #4 Hungarian Major Flamenco Bebop Locrian Half-Whole Diminished Composite Blues Messiaen's Mode #3 Chromatic

* 15 scales found containing the notes B, D, F, A.

Acoustic & Digital Analysis

Digital footprint of the Bm7b5/A chord for MIDI programming and synthesizer sound design.

MIDI Numbers 71, 62, 65, 69

Frequencies (Hz)

493.8833012561241, 293.6647679174076, 349.2282314330039, 440