How do you play the E m7(#5)/C chord?

To play the E m7(#5)/C chord on piano, play the E m7(#5) chord (E, G, C 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 m7(#5)/C chord means a E m7(#5) chord with C in the bass.

E m7(#5)/C

Q: What notes are in the E m7(#5)/C chord?

The E m7(#5)/C chord uses the 4 notes of the E m7(#5) chord — E (Perfect unison), G (Minor third), C (Minor sixth) and D (Minor seventh) — with C played as the bass note in the lowest register.

The E m7(#5) chord consists of the E (Perfect unison), G (Minor third), C (Minor sixth) and D (Minor seventh) notes, with C as the bass note.

Piano keyboard showing the notes for a E m7(#5)/C chord

How to play the E m7(#5)/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 C (Minor sixth) — 8 semitones above E
Add D (Minor seventh) — 10 semitones above E
Press all 5 notes simultaneously to sound the E m7(#5)/C chord

Inversions with same root

C add2
C add9

Related chords with different root

E m7(#5)
E m7(alt)

Related slash chords

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