How do you play the D 7(b5)/A chord?

To play the D 7(b5)/A chord on piano, play the D 7(b5) chord (D, F#, G# and C) with A as the lowest bass note. Place the A 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 D 7(b5)/A chord means a D 7(b5) chord with A in the bass.

D 7(b5)/A

Q: What notes are in the D 7(b5)/A chord?

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

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

Piano keyboard showing the notes for a D 7(b5)/A chord

How to play the D 7(b5)/A chord

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

Related chords with different root

D 7(#11)

Related slash chords

G# 7(b5)/A