How do you play the E b5/A chord?

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

E b5/A

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

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

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

Piano keyboard showing the notes for a E b5/A chord

How to play the E 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
Press all 4 notes simultaneously to sound the E b5/A chord

Related slash chords

A# 7(b5)(sus)/A