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

To play the D maj7(b5)/C chord on piano, play the D maj7(b5) chord (D, F#, G# and C#) with C as the lowest bass note. Place the C 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 maj7(b5)/C chord means a D maj7(b5) chord with C in the bass.

D maj7(b5)/C

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

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

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

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

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

Play C 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# (Major seventh) — 11 semitones above D
Press all 5 notes simultaneously to sound the D maj7(b5)/C chord

Related slash chords

G# 11(b5)(sus4)/C