Intermediate CHORDS THEORY - Lesson 14 - Minor 7th flat five chords

[Andrew Milner]

So these are like the minor 7th chords that live in flat number five in the music world?

1. Topics of discussion
2. Minor 7th flat five chords

1. Topics of discussion

In this tutorial, we will be taking a look at minor 7th flat five chords (abbreviated m7(♭5)). So, let's have some fun.

2. Minor 7th flat five chords

Minor 7th flat five chords are formed by adding the flatted seventh note of the major scale of the root note on top of a diminished triad. This gives us the following formula for these chords:

1 ♭3 ♭5 ♭7​

As you can see, their formula is fairly similar to minor 7th chords, the only difference being the flatted fifth, hence the name. Now some of you may be thinking that these chords and diminished seventh chords are the same, but they're not, even though both of them are formed by using the diminished triad.

Let's learn how to play the Cm7(♭5) in various forms, using the CAGED system, sort of. First of, the C form:

And here it is played back.

Next up, the A form:

And here it is played back.

Next in line is the G form:

And here it is played back.

Let's move on to the E form:

And here it is played back.

And finally, the D form:

And here it is played back.

That about covers it for this one. Next time, we are going to figure out how the 7th chords we've learned so far can be used in your progressions. See you then.

 

[Lindsey]

I think I’ve learned this chord and a half-dim7th to be the same. They use the same notes.
But not many people seem to mention half diminished chords.

 

[Andrew Milner]

The idea is that these chords also go by the name of half-diminished chords. It's just easier to look at them from the perspective of a 7th chord.