How do you play the D# b5/E chord?

To play the D# b5/E chord on piano, play the D# b5 chord (D#, G and A) 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 D# b5/E chord means a D# b5 chord with E in the bass.

D# b5/E

Q: What notes are in the D# b5/E chord?

The D# b5/E chord uses the 3 notes of the D# b5 chord — D# (Perfect unison), G (Major third) and A (Diminished fifth) — with E played as the bass note in the lowest register.

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

Piano keyboard showing the notes for a D# b5/E chord

How to play the D# b5/E chord

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

Related slash chords

A 7(b5)(sus)/E