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

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

E maj7(b5)/A

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

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

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

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

How to play the E maj7(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 D# (Major seventh) — 11 semitones above E
Press all 5 notes simultaneously to sound the E maj7(b5)/A chord

Related slash chords

A# 11(b5)(sus4)/A