How do you play the C# 7(b5)(sus)/E chord?

To play the C# 7(b5)(sus)/E chord on piano, play the C# 7(b5)(sus) chord (C#, G 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# 7(b5)(sus)/E chord means a C# 7(b5)(sus) chord with E in the bass.

C# 7(b5)(sus)/E

Q: What notes are in the C# 7(b5)(sus)/E chord?

The C# 7(b5)(sus)/E chord uses the 3 notes of the C# 7(b5)(sus) chord — C# (Perfect unison), G (Diminished fifth) and B (Minor seventh) — with E played as the bass note in the lowest register.

The C# 7(b5)(sus) chord consists of the C# (Perfect unison), G (Diminished fifth) and B (Minor seventh) notes, with E as the bass note.

Piano keyboard showing the notes for a C# 7(b5)(sus)/E chord

How to play the C# 7(b5)(sus)/E chord

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

Inversions with same root

E m6
E m(add13)

Related chords with different root

C# m7(b5)
G 6(b5)

Related slash chords

G b5/E