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

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

G# maj7(b5)/E

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

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

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

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

How to play the G# maj7(b5)/E chord

Play E as the lowest bass note in the left hand
Find G# (Root) on the piano keyboard
Add C (Major third) — 4 semitones above G#
Add D (Diminished fifth) — 6 semitones above G#
Add G (Major seventh) — 11 semitones above G#
Press all 5 notes simultaneously to sound the G# maj7(b5)/E chord

Inversions with same root

E 7(alt)

Related slash chords

D 11(b5)(sus4)/E