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

To play the C maj7(b5)/E chord on piano, play the C maj7(b5) chord (C, E, F# and B) 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 C maj7(b5)/E chord means a C maj7(b5) chord with E in the bass.

C maj7(b5)/E

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

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

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

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

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

Play E 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 F# (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)/E chord

Related chords with different root

C maj7(b5)
F# 11(b5)(sus4)

Related slash chords

C maj7(b5)(sus)/E
F# sus4(b5)/E