Finger Positions

Root Note E

Name E half-diminished over A

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

Relative Minor C#m

Notes A, E, G, Bb, D

Aliases Em7b5, Eø, E-7b5, Eh7, Eh

How to play the Em7b5/A Chord

The Em7b5/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 E half-diminished over A is built using the 1P, 3m, 5d, 7m intervals. In the key of E Major, this chord functions as the I chord.

Common Progressions

In music composition, the Em7b5/A chord is often used to create tension or resolution.

I-V-vi-IV

E → B → C#m → A

vi-IV-I-V

C#m → A → E → B

The Diatonic Family

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

Triads

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

7ths

Emaj7 F#m7 G#m7 Amaj7 B7 C#m7 D#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 A, E, G, Bb, D.

Acoustic & Digital Analysis

Digital footprint of the Em7b5/A chord for MIDI programming and synthesizer sound design.

MIDI Numbers 69, 64, 67, 70, 62

Frequencies (Hz)

440, 329.6275569128699, 391.99543598174927, 466.1637615180899, 293.6647679174076