F# Half-Diminished Seventh (Minor 7♭5)
Chord Tones: F# Half-Diminished Seventh (Minor 7♭5)
Symbol: ø7, m7♭5 — Formula: 1-♭3-♭5-♭7
| Degree | Note | Frequency (A=440, Equal) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | F# | 369.994 Hz |
| ♭3 | A | 440.000 Hz |
| ♭5 | C | 261.626 Hz |
| ♭7 | E | 329.628 Hz |
Chord Notation
| Notation Type | Symbol / Value |
|---|---|
| Lead Sheet Symbol | F#ø7 |
| All Common Symbols | ø7, m7♭5 |
| Interval Formula | 1-♭3-♭5-♭7 |
| Harmonic Category | dissonant |
Roman numeral (e.g. I, IV, V) and Nashville Number notation are key-dependent. See Keys pages for chord function within specific keys.
Inversions
| Inversion | Notes (low to high) | Bass Note | Slash Notation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root Position | F# – A – C – E | F# | F# Half-Diminished Seventh (Minor 7♭5) |
| First Inversion | A – C – E – F# | A | F# Half-Diminished Seventh (Minor 7♭5)/A |
| Second Inversion | C – E – F# – A | C | F# Half-Diminished Seventh (Minor 7♭5)/C |
| Third Inversion | E – F# – A – C | E | F# Half-Diminished Seventh (Minor 7♭5)/E |
Harmonic Function
The F# half diminished chord commonly functions as the tritone substitution in C major or tonic in F# major. Its harmonic role varies by key — in major keys it provides stable harmonic grounding.
The half-diminished chord (minor seven flat five) combines a diminished triad with a minor seventh. It is the ii chord in minor keys and an essential sound in jazz and classical harmony.
Common Progressions
The F# Half-Diminished Seventh (Minor 7♭5) frequently appears in these progression patterns (shown in Roman numeral notation relative to key):
iiø-V7-iviiø-I
Songs Featuring the Half-Diminished Seventh (Minor 7♭5)
Well-known songs where the F# Half-Diminished Seventh (Minor 7♭5) — or this chord type — plays a prominent role:
- Autumn Leaves (minor ii chord) – jazz standard
- Beautiful Love – jazz standard
- Solar – Miles Davis
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| F# | 369.994 Hz | 371.251 Hz | 367.911 Hz |
| A | 440.000 Hz | 440.000 Hz | 436.043 Hz |
| C | 261.626 Hz | 260.740 Hz | 261.626 Hz |
| E | 329.628 Hz | 330.001 Hz | 327.032 Hz |
Scales Containing the F# Half-Diminished Seventh (Minor 7♭5)
These scales include the F# Half-Diminished Seventh (Minor 7♭5) as a diatonic or characteristic chord: