How do you play the B 7(b5)/E chord?

To play the B 7(b5)/E chord on piano, play the B 7(b5) chord (B, D#, F and A) with E as the lowest bass note. Place the E note below the other chord tones. Slash chords specify a particular bass note different from the chord root.

What is a slash chord?

A slash chord (or compound chord) is written as Chord/Bass and specifies both a chord and a bass note. The note to the right of the slash is played as the lowest note. The B 7(b5)/E chord means a B 7(b5) chord with E in the bass.

B 7(b5)/E

Q: What notes are in the B 7(b5)/E chord?

The B 7(b5)/E chord uses the 4 notes of the B 7(b5) chord — B (Perfect unison), D# (Major third), F (Diminished fifth) and A (Minor seventh) — with E played as the bass note in the lowest register.

The B 7(b5) chord consists of the B (Perfect unison), D# (Major third), F (Diminished fifth) and A (Minor seventh) notes, with E as the bass note.

Piano keyboard showing the notes for a B 7(b5)/E chord

How to play the B 7(b5)/E chord

Play E as the lowest bass note in the left hand
Find B (Root) on the piano keyboard
Add D# (Major third) — 4 semitones above B
Add F (Diminished fifth) — 6 semitones above B
Add A (Minor seventh) — 10 semitones above B
Press all 5 notes simultaneously to sound the B 7(b5)/E chord

Related slash chords

F 7(b5)/E