Guitar arpeggio

G Minor 7 Flat 5 Guitar Arpeggio

G Minor 7 Flat 5 is a four-note seventh-chord arpeggio built from G, Bb, Db, and F. It is also commonly called G Half-Diminished and Gm7b5. Use it to study chord tones, interval formulas, and guitar fretboard positions.

Chord tones
G, Bb, Db, F
Formula
1 b3 b5 b7
Semitones
0 3 6 10
Chord symbols
Gm7b5
Also called
G Half-DiminishedGm7b5

How to read this arpeggio

The chord tones are shown as pitch classes first. In the fretboard tool, square markers represent G root notes, while circular markers represent the remaining tones in the arpeggio.

Use the interactive fretboard to locate the G root notes and connect the remaining minor 7 flat 5 chord tones across standard tuning.

This same arpeggio shape is also commonly called G Half-Diminished or Gm7b5.

Chord construction and defining tones

b3Bb
b5Db
b7F

G minor 7 flat 5 is defined by b3 (Bb), b5 (Db), and b7 (F). It extends a diminished triad with a flat seventh, producing the half-diminished chord sound.

Harmonic use

Use this arpeggio over Gm7b5, commonly as the ii chord in a minor-key ii-V-i progression.

Practice this arpeggio on guitar

  1. Play the G Minor 7 Flat 5 arpeggio from one G root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and interval degree aloud.
  2. Isolate b3 (Bb), b5 (Db), and b7 (F) in three-note groups, then add the root without losing the flat-fifth sound.
  3. Outline Gm7b5 and move each available chord tone by step into the following dominant chord.

Fretboard diagram

G Minor 7 Flat 5 Guitar Arpeggio fretboard diagram in standard tuning
G Minor 7 Flat 5 Guitar Arpeggio fretboard diagram in standard tuning.

Open this arpeggio in the fretboard tool

Start with G Minor 7 Flat 5 loaded, then adjust tuning, labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Arpeggio diagrams by tuning