Ebm7b5

General info

Full name

Eb Half-dim 7

Symbol

Ebm7b5

Root

Eb

Quality

Half-dim 7

Chord notes

Functions & resolutions

Typical function in key

vii°Leading tone (vii°)E major

Stability / tension

High tension — pulls toward the dominant

Most common resolutions

Ab7Ab Dominant 7DbmDb Minor

Unstable degrees

2F

b3Gb

resolves down to the 2nd

4Ab

b5A

resolves inward to the 4th

4Ab

b7Db

resolves down to the resolution tonic

Main resolution

Ebm7b5source

Ab7Ab Dominant 7

Half-diminished Ebm7b5 typically acts as ii in minor, resolving to the dominant (Ab7), which then leads to the tonic.

Other resolutions

Ebm7b5source

Deceptive resolution

DbmDb Minor

The half-diminished chord can bypass the dominant and resolve directly to the minor tonic — a plagal turn in minor.

Ebm7b5source

No resolution needed

In the Locrian mode, a half-diminished chord can function as the tonic, requiring no resolution.

Ebm7b5source

Jazz reharmonization

Gbm6Gb Minor 6

In jazz, ø7 is common in ii-V-i progressions but can be substituted with iv6, sharing the same notes.

Ebm7b5source

Functional resolution

BB Major

Besides moving to the dominant, the half-diminished chord can resolve to bVI — creating a Phrygian color.

Features

Character

Half-diminished, unstable

Characteristic interval

Diminished 5th (b5)

Description

The diminished fifth creates instability, the minor seventh softens it. Less tense than fully diminished.

Application

• iiø7 in natural minor
• Jazz ii–V in minor
• Unstable predominant sonorities

Voicing & structure

Harmony

Harmonic context

viim7b5E majorDominantiim7b5C# minorPredominantvim7b5F# DorianToniciiim7b5B MixolydianTonic

Compatible scales

All chord tones are contained in these scales — use them for improvisation.