How do you play the G# b5/E# chord?

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

G# b5/E#

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

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

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

Piano keyboard showing the notes for a G# b5/E# chord

How to play the G# b5/E# chord

Play E# as the lowest bass note in the left hand
Find G# (Root) on the piano keyboard
Add B# (Major third) — 4 semitones above G#
Add D (Diminished fifth) — 6 semitones above G#
Press all 4 notes simultaneously to sound the G# b5/E# chord

Inversions with same root

F m6
F m(add13)

Related chords with different root

D m7(b5)
G# 6(b5)

Related slash chords

D 7(b5)(sus)/F