How do you play the C maj7(b5)/Db chord?

To play the C maj7(b5)/Db chord on piano, play the C maj7(b5) chord (C, E, Gb and B) with Db as the lowest bass note. Place the Db 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 C maj7(b5)/Db chord means a C maj7(b5) chord with Db in the bass.

C maj7(b5)/Db

Q: What notes are in the C maj7(b5)/Db chord?

The C maj7(b5)/Db chord uses the 4 notes of the C maj7(b5) chord — C (Perfect unison), E (Major third), Gb (Diminished fifth) and B (Major seventh) — with Db played as the bass note in the lowest register.

The C maj7(b5) chord consists of the C (Perfect unison), E (Major third), Gb (Diminished fifth) and B (Major seventh) notes, with Db as the bass note.

Piano keyboard showing the notes for a C maj7(b5)/Db chord

How to play the C maj7(b5)/Db chord

Play Db as the lowest bass note in the left hand
Find C (Root) on the piano keyboard
Add E (Major third) — 4 semitones above C
Add Gb (Diminished fifth) — 6 semitones above C
Add B (Major seventh) — 11 semitones above C
Press all 5 notes simultaneously to sound the C maj7(b5)/Db chord

Related slash chords

F# 11(b5)(sus4)/C#