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#, 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# 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), G (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), G (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 G (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 slash chords

G 11(b5)(sus4)/E