Guitar arpeggio
Bb Minor 7 Flat 5 Guitar Arpeggio
Bb Minor 7 Flat 5 is a four-note seventh-chord arpeggio built from Bb, Db, Fb, and Ab. It is also commonly called Bb Half-Diminished and Bbm7b5. Use it to study chord tones, interval formulas, and guitar fretboard positions.
- Chord tones
- Bb, Db, Fb, Ab
- Formula
- 1 b3 b5 b7
- Semitones
- 0 3 6 10
- Chord symbols
- Bbm7b5
- Also called
- Bb Half-DiminishedBbm7b5
How to read this arpeggio
The chord tones are shown as pitch classes first. In the fretboard tool, square markers represent Bb root notes, while circular markers represent the remaining tones in the arpeggio.
Use the interactive fretboard to locate the Bb root notes and connect the remaining minor 7 flat 5 chord tones across standard tuning.
This same arpeggio shape is also commonly called Bb Half-Diminished or Bbm7b5.
Chord construction and defining tones
Bb minor 7 flat 5 is defined by b3 (Db), b5 (Fb), and b7 (Ab). It extends a diminished triad with a flat seventh, producing the half-diminished chord sound.
Harmonic use
Use this arpeggio over Bbm7b5, commonly as the ii chord in a minor-key ii-V-i progression.
Practice this arpeggio on guitar
- Play the Bb Minor 7 Flat 5 arpeggio from one Bb root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and interval degree aloud.
- Isolate b3 (Db), b5 (Fb), and b7 (Ab) in three-note groups, then add the root without losing the flat-fifth sound.
- Outline Bbm7b5 and move each available chord tone by step into the following dominant chord.
Fretboard diagram
Open this arpeggio in the fretboard tool
Start with Bb Minor 7 Flat 5 loaded, then adjust tuning, labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.
Open in interactive fretboard