How do you play the E m7(b5)/Bb chord?

To play the E m7(b5)/Bb chord on piano, play the E m7(b5) chord (E, G, Bb and D) with Bb as the lowest bass note. Place the Bb 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 m7(b5)/Bb chord means a E m7(b5) chord with Bb in the bass.

E m7(b5)/Bb

Q: What notes are in the E m7(b5)/Bb chord?

The E m7(b5)/Bb chord uses the 4 notes of the E m7(b5) chord — E (Perfect unison), G (Minor third), Bb (Diminished fifth) and D (Minor seventh) — with Bb played as the bass note in the lowest register.

The E m7(b5) chord consists of the E (Perfect unison), G (Minor third), Bb (Diminished fifth) and D (Minor seventh) notes, with Bb as the bass note.

Piano keyboard showing the notes for a E m7(b5)/Bb chord

How to play the E m7(b5)/Bb chord

Play Bb 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 Bb (Diminished fifth) — 6 semitones above E
Add D (Minor seventh) — 10 semitones above E
Press all 5 notes simultaneously to sound the E m7(b5)/Bb chord

Inversions with same root

Bb 6(b5)

Related chords with different root

E m7(b5)
G m6
G m(add13)

Related slash chords

E m7(no5)/Bb
E m7(#9)(no5)/Bb
G 6(sus)/Bb