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

To play the E m(maj7)(b5)/C chord on piano, play the E m(maj7)(b5) chord (E, G, A# and D#) 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 E m(maj7)(b5)/C chord means a E m(maj7)(b5) chord with C in the bass.

E m(maj7)(b5)/C

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

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

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

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

How to play the E m(maj7)(b5)/C chord

Play C as the lowest bass note in the left hand
Find E (Root) on the piano keyboard
Add G (Minor third) — 3 semitones above E
Add A# (Diminished fifth) — 6 semitones above E
Add D# (Major seventh) — 11 semitones above E
Press all 5 notes simultaneously to sound the E m(maj7)(b5)/C chord

Inversions with same root

C 7(#9)

Related slash chords

D# addb9/C