Guitar arpeggio
E Minor 7 Flat 5 Guitar Arpeggio
E Minor 7 Flat 5 is a four-note seventh-chord arpeggio built from E, G, Bb, and D. It is also commonly called E Half-Diminished and Em7b5. Use it to study chord tones, interval formulas, and guitar fretboard positions.
- Chord tones
- E, G, Bb, D
- Formula
- 1 b3 b5 b7
- Semitones
- 0 3 6 10
- Chord symbols
- Em7b5
- Also called
- E Half-DiminishedEm7b5
How to read this arpeggio
The chord tones are shown as pitch classes first. In the fretboard tool, square markers represent E root notes, while circular markers represent the remaining tones in the arpeggio.
Use the interactive fretboard to locate the E root notes and connect the remaining minor 7 flat 5 chord tones across standard tuning.
This same arpeggio shape is also commonly called E Half-Diminished or Em7b5.
Chord construction and defining tones
E minor 7 flat 5 is defined by b3 (G), b5 (Bb), and b7 (D). It extends a diminished triad with a flat seventh, producing the half-diminished chord sound.
Harmonic use
Use this arpeggio over Em7b5, commonly as the ii chord in a minor-key ii-V-i progression.
Practice this arpeggio on guitar
- Play the E Minor 7 Flat 5 arpeggio from one E root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and interval degree aloud.
- Isolate b3 (G), b5 (Bb), and b7 (D) in three-note groups, then add the root without losing the flat-fifth sound.
- Outline Em7b5 and move each available chord tone by step into the following dominant chord.
Fretboard diagram
Open this arpeggio in the fretboard tool
Start with E Minor 7 Flat 5 loaded, then adjust tuning, labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.
Open in interactive fretboard