How do you play the E 6(b5)/A# chord?

To play the E 6(b5)/A# chord on piano, play the E 6(b5) chord (E, G#, A# 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 E 6(b5)/A# chord means a E 6(b5) chord with A# in the bass.

E 6(b5)/A#

Q: What notes are in the E 6(b5)/A# chord?

The E 6(b5)/A# chord uses the 4 notes of the E 6(b5) chord — E (Perfect unison), G# (Major third), A# (Diminished fifth) and C# (Major sixth) — with A# played as the bass note in the lowest register.

The E 6(b5) chord consists of the E (Perfect unison), G# (Major third), A# (Diminished fifth) and C# (Major sixth) notes, with A# as the bass note.

Piano keyboard showing the notes for a E 6(b5)/A# chord

How to play the E 6(b5)/A# chord

Play A# as the lowest bass note in the left hand
Find E (Root) on the piano keyboard
Add G# (Major third) — 4 semitones above E
Add A# (Diminished fifth) — 6 semitones above E
Add C# (Major sixth) — 9 semitones above E
Press all 5 notes simultaneously to sound the E 6(b5)/A# chord

Inversions with same root

A# m7(b5)

Related chords with different root

C# m6
C# m(add13)
E 6(b5)

Related slash chords

C# minor/A#