Jermaine Griggs & Chuku Onyemachi

QUICK REFERENCE ON

Half‐Diminished Seventh Chords

CHAPTER 1 The

Half­Diminished Seventh Chord

Defined

The half­diminished seventh chord is not as common as the major, minor, and dominant seventh chords, but, nonetheless, very important in harmony.

The half­diminished seventh chord is formed from the seventh degree of the major scale and is rarely used.

In this post, we'll be covering the ins and outs of the half­diminished seventh chord; starting from its basic definition, then delving into its intervallic breakdown where you will understand the intervals that make up the half­diminished seventh chord.

I'm also going to show you alternative approaches to the chord formation of the half­diminished seventh chord ­ the scale approach, the interval approach, and the chord approach.

Let's go!

The Half­Diminished Seventh Chord – Defined

The half­diminished seventh chord is a chord formed off the seventh degree of the major scale. To help you understand more about this chord, I'll make a reference using the C major scale.

In the C major scale, B:

...is the seventh tone. The half­diminished chord is simply the chord formed off this seventh tone (B, in this case). Using my pick­skip technique, all you just need to do is start on B:

...skip C and pick D:

...skip E and pick F:

...skip G and pick A:

If we put all the notes we've picked together, we'll have B, D, F, and A:

...and that's the half­diminished seventh chord. Here's what it looks like if transposed a half step up to C:

In the ensuing chapters, we'll break down this chord into its intervallic components so that you'll understand why this chord is called the half­diminished seventh chord.

CHAPTER 2 A Breakdown Of

The Half­Diminished Seventh Chord

The goal of this chapter is to breakdown the half­diminished into its intervallic components. This is a fancy way to say the intervals that make up the chord. Every chord, no matter how small or large, no matter how complex or simple, can be broken down into smaller harmonic fragments known as intervals. An interval is basically the relationship between two notes as it relates to distance.

So using the C half­diminished seventh chord as a reference, we have...

C and Eb:

...which is a minor third.

C and Gb:

...which is a diminished fifth.

C and Bb:

...which is a minor seventh.

"Why are we covering the intervallic components of

the half­diminished chord?"

The intervallic components of a chord help you understand these two things:

Its quality Its stability

Check out what each of these intervals represent...

The minor third

The interval formed between the root and third of a chord determines its quality ­ whether it is major or minor. The half­diminished seventh chord is a minor chord quality because the interval between its root and third is a minor third.

The diminished fifth

The diminished fifth is an unstable interval.

It was called the "devil in music" several centuries ago and popularly known today as the tritone. The diminished fifth interval is unstable as opposed to the perfect fifth interval. Every chord that has a

diminished fifth interval is unstable and the half­diminished seventh chord is no exception.

The minor seventh interval

The minor seventh interval is a dissonant interval.

However, this interval contributes to the quality of the half­diminished seventh chord. The interval between the third and seventh chord tones of the half­diminished seventh chord is a perfect fifth.

Using C half­diminished seventh chord as a reference:

...the interval between Eb and Bb:

...which are the third and seventh tones of the half­diminished

seventh chord are a perfect fifth apart. For all intents and purposes, the perfect fifth interval is considered to be universally consonant.

Therefore, the half­diminished chord is a combination of stability and instability. Stability between its third and the seventh chord tones (Eb and Bb):

...and instability between its root and fifth (C and Gb):

...as opposed to the diminished seventh chord, which has absolutely no degree of stability.

Now that you're familiar with the intervallic components of the half­diminished seventh chord, let's go ahead and explore its formation.

CHAPTER 3 Approaches To The Chord Formation Of The Half­Diminished

Seventh Chord

In this chapter, we will be talking about chord formation approaches and like I promised in the beginning of this course, we'll be covering three approaches to the chord formation of the half­diminished seventh chord.

Scale Approach To The Chord Formation Of The Half­Diminished Seventh

Chord

The very first approach to the formation of the half­diminished seventh chord will feature the use of scales. This is called the scale approach because we are going to be using a known scale to form the half­diminished seventh chord.

The scale we are using in this chord formation method is an old scale system known as the locrian mode. The locrian mode is the seventh mode and it is naturally formed on the keyboard from B to B:

...all white notes.

Earlier in the beginning, I defined the half­diminished seventh chord as a chord of the seventh degree of the major scale.

At this point, you should be seeing how synonymous the half­diminished seventh chord is with the number seven.

It is the chord of the seventh degree and it’s also formed from the seventh mode [the locrian mode.]

"How do I form the locrian scale in all the keys?"

The formation of the locrian scale is pretty simple!

To form the locrian scale in all the keys, all you need to do is to think in terms of the major scale of the key a half step above the note of the locrian mode you want to form.

If I want to form the C locrian scale, all I need to do is to think in terms of Db. The Db major scale can help you derive the C locrian scale and this is because the C locrian scale is simply the rearrangement of the notes of the Db major scale:

...from C to C:

Starting from C:

...If I continue to add other tones of the Db major scale to it...

I'll add Db:

...add Eb:

...add F:

...etc. until I get to C again:

This works because C is really the 7th tone of the Db major scale. Playing the Db major scale from the 7th degree to the higher 7th degree produces the locrian mode.

Here's one more example...

If I want to create the F locrian scale, all I need to do is to think in terms of the major scale whose root is a half step up from F and that's the Gb major scale:

Starting from F:

...I will continue to add other tones of the Gb major scale to it...

I'll add Gb:

...add Ab:

...add Bb:

...add Cb:

...etc. until I get back to F:

What’s really happening is I’m playing the Gb major scale from the 7th degree (F) to the higher 7th degree (F).

For reference purposes, here are the locrian scales in all twelve keys:

C locrian scale:

C# locrian scale:

D locrian scale:

D# locrian scale:

E locrian scale:

F locrian scale:

F# locrian scale:

G: locrian scale:

G# locrian scale:

A locrian scale:

A# locrian scale:

B locrian scale:

The half­diminished seventh chord can be formed using the locrian scale if you are familiar with my pick­skip technique.

All you need to do is pick a note and skip the next note until you get to the seventh tone of the locrian scale.

Here's the scale approach to the formation of the C half­diminished seventh chord using the C locrian mode:

Starting from C:

...skip Db and pick Eb:

...skip F and pick Gb:

...skip Ab and pick Bb:

So put together, C, Eb, Gb, and Bb will produce the C half­diminished seventh chord:

Following this procedure using any of the locrian scales we covered, you can form the half­diminished seventh chord in all the keys.

Interval Approach To The Chord

Formation Of The Half­Diminished Seventh Chord

The next chord formation approach is the use of intervals.

The intervallic breakdown of the half­diminished seventh chord showed us three intervals that it consists of ­ the minor third, the diminished fifth, and the minor seventh intervals.

Stacking these intervals in one octave will produce the half­diminished seventh chord.

The minor third interval can be formed in any key from the relationship between the first and third tones of the locrian scale in that key. The diminished fifth is formed from the relationship between the first and fifth tones of the locrian scale while the minor seventh is formed from the relationship between the first and seventh tones of the locrian scale.

Stacking the minor third, the diminished fifth, and the minor seventh intervals together in one octave will produce the half­diminished seventh chord.

In the key of C, the half­diminished seventh chord consists of...

C and Eb:

...a minor third.

C and Gb:

...a diminished fifth.

C and Bb:

...a minor seventh.

Stacking all these intervals in one octave would produce the C half­diminished seventh chord:

Now, let me show you in a couple more keys...

Example #1 ­ F half­diminished seventh

The F half­diminished seventh chord can be formed by stacking the three intervallic components in the key of F...

F and Ab:

...a minor third

F and Cb:

...a diminished fifth.

F and Eb:

...a minor seventh.

Stacking these together in one octave will form the F half­diminished chord:

...which consists of F, Ab, Cb, and Eb.

Example #2 ­ A half­diminished seventh

The A half­diminished seventh chord can be formed by stacking the three intervallic components in the key of A...

A and C:

...a minor third

A and Eb:

...a diminished fifth.

A and G:

...a minor seventh.

Fitting this together in one octave would produce the A half­diminished seventh chord.

Chord Approach To The Chord

Formation Of The Half­Diminished Seventh Chord

Our last chord formation technique for today favors the use of a known chord. In a previous post, we covered the minor seventh chord and I trust that you are familiar with it.

You can lower the fifth tone of any known minor seventh chord by a half step to produce the half­diminished chord. Using the C minor seventh chord as an example:

If the fifth tone (G):

...is lowered by a half step (to Gb):

...we'll have the half­diminished seventh chord:

Here's, side­by­side, the minor seventh chord and the half­diminished seventh chord in all 12 keys:

C minor seventh chord vs C half­diminished seventh chord:

C# minor seventh chord vs C# half­diminished seventh chord:

D minor seventh chord vs D half­diminished seventh chord:

D# minor seventh chord vs D# half­diminished seventh chord:

E minor seventh chord vs E half­diminished seventh chord:

F minor seventh chord vs F half­diminished seventh chord:

F# minor seventh chord vs F# half­diminished seventh chord:

G minor seventh chord vs G half­diminished seventh chord:

G# minor seventh chord vs G# half­diminished seventh chord:

A minor seventh chord vs A half­diminished seventh chord:

Bb minor seventh chord vs Bb half­diminished seventh chord:

B minor seventh chord vs B half­diminished seventh chord:

Attention: The half­diminished seventh chord is also known as the minor seventh flat five because it can be literally formed from a minor seventh chord whose fifth tone is lowered by a half step.

Final Words

I am thrilled you've made it to the end of this lesson and I am confident that you have everything you need to form half­diminished seventh chords in any key using a variety of chord formation approaches.

The half­diminished seventh chord is one of the essential chords in playing the minor 2­5­1 progression.

Therefore, the half­diminished seventh chord is one of the essential seventh chords that should be in the chordal vocabulary of every serious pianist or musician.

Half‐Diminished Seventh Chord

QUICK REFERENCE ON

HALF‐DIMINISHED SEVENTH CHORDS

Workbook 126 Exercises

YOU WILL BE GIVEN A NOTE. DETERMINE THE MINOR THIRD INTERVAL FROM THE NOTE GIVEN.

Question: Given the root note in the key of Db, dot its minor 3rd.

Answer:

Question #1 Question: Given the C note, dot its minor 3rd.

Answer:

Question #2 Question: Given the F note, dot its minor 3rd.

Answer:

Question #3 Question: Given the Bb note, dot its minor 3rd.

Answer:

Question #4 Question: Given the Eb note, dot its minor 3rd.

Answer:

Question #5 Question: Given the Ab note, dot its minor 3rd.

Answer:

Question #6 Question: Given the Db note, dot its minor 3rd.

Answer:

Question #7 Question: Given the Gb note, dot its minor 3rd.

Answer:

Question #8 Question: Given the B note, dot its minor 3rd.

Answer:

Question #9 Question: Given the E note, dot its minor 3rd.

Answer:

Question #10 Question: Given the A note, dot its minor 3rd.

Answer:

Question #11 Question: Given the D note, dot its minor 3rd.

Answer:

Question #12 Question: Given the G note, dot its minor 3rd.

Answer:

Question #13 Question: Given the C note, dot its minor 3rd.

Answer:

Question #14 Question: Given the G note, dot its minor 3rd.

Answer:

Question #15 Question: Given the D note, dot its minor 3rd.

Answer:

Question #16 Question: Given the A note, dot its minor 3rd.

Answer:

Question #17 Question: Given the E note, dot its minor 3rd.

Answer:

Question #18 Question: Given the B note, dot its minor 3rd.

Answer:

Question #19 Question: Given the Gb note, dot its minor 3rd.

Answer:

Question #20 Question: Given the Db note, dot its minor 3rd.

Answer:

Question #21 Question: Given the Ab note, dot its minor 3rd.

Answer:

Question #22 Question: Given the Eb note, dot its minor 3rd.

Answer:

Question #23 Question: Given the Bb note, dot its minor 3rd.

Answer:

Question #24 Question: Given the F note, dot its minor 3rd.

Answer:

YOU WILL BE GIVEN A NOTE. DETERMINE THE DIMINISHED FIFTH INTERVAL FROM THE NOTE

GIVEN.

Question: Given the Db note, dot its diminished 5th.

Answer:

Question #25 Question: Given the C note, dot its diminished 5th.

Answer:

Question #26 Question: Given the F note, dot its diminished 5th.

Answer:

Question #27 Question: Given the Bb note, dot its diminished 5th.

Answer:

Question #28 Question: Given the Eb note, dot its diminished 5th.

Answer:

Question #29 Question: Given the Ab note, dot its diminished 5th.

Answer:

Question #30 Question: Given the Db note, dot its diminished 5th.

Answer:

Question #31 Question: Given the Gb note, dot its diminished 5th.

Answer:

Question #32 Question: Given the B note, dot its diminished 5th.

Answer:

Question #33 Question: Given the E note, dot its diminished 5th.

Answer:

Question #34 Question: Given the A note, dot its diminished 5th.

Answer:

Question #35 Question: Given the D note, dot its diminished 5th.

Answer:

Question #36 Question: Given the G note, dot its diminished 5th.

Answer:

Question #37 Question: Given the C note, dot its diminished 5th.

Answer:

Question #38 Question: Given the G note, dot its diminished 5th.

Answer:

Question #39 Question: Given the D note, dot its diminished 5th.

Answer:

Question #40 Question: Given the A note, dot its diminished 5th.

Answer:

Question #41 Question: Given the E note, dot its diminished 5th.

Answer:

Question #42 Question: Given the B note, dot its diminished 5th.

Answer:

Question #43 Question: Given the Gb note, dot its diminished 5th.

Answer:

Question #44 Question: Given the Db note, dot its diminished 5th.

Answer:

Question #45 Question: Given the Ab note, dot its diminished 5th.

Answer:

Question #46 Question: Given the Eb note, dot its diminished 5th.

Answer:

Question #47 Question: Given the Bb note, dot its diminished 5th.

Answer:

Question #48 Question: Given the F note, dot its diminished 5th.

Answer:

YOU WILL BE GIVEN A NOTE. FORM THE MINOR SEVENTH INTERVAL FROM THE NOTE GIVEN.

Question: Given the Db note, dot the Db minor 7th.

Answer:

Question #49 Question: Given the C note, dot the C minor seventh interval.

Answer:

Question #50 Question: Given the F note, dot the F minor seventh interval.

Answer:

Question #51 Question: Given the Bb note, dot the Bb minor seventh interval.

Answer:

Question #52 Question: Given the Eb note, dot the Eb minor seventh interval.

Answer:

Question #53 Question: Given the Ab note, dot the Ab minor seventh interval.

Answer:

Question #54 Question: Given Db note, dot the Db minor seventh interval.

Answer:

Question #55 Question: Given the Gb note, dot the Gb minor seventh interval.

Answer:

Question #56 Question: Given the B note, dot the B minor seventh interval.

Answer:

Question #57 Question: Given the E note, dot the E minor seventh interval.

Answer:

Question #58 Question: Given the A note, dot the A minor seventh interval.

Answer:

Question #59 Question: Given the D note, dot the D minor seventh interval.

Answer:

Question #60 Question: Given the G note, dot the G minor seventh interval.

Answer:

Question #61 Question: Given the C note, dot the C minor seventh interval.

Answer:

Question #62 Question: Given the G note, dot the G minor seventh interval.

Answer:

Question #63 Question: Given the D note, dot the D minor seventh interval.

Answer:

Question #64 Question: Given the A note, dot the A minor seventh interval.

Answer:

Question #65 Question: Given the E note, dot the E minor seventh interval.

Answer:

Question #66 Question: Given the B note, dot the B minor seventh interval.

Answer:

Question #67 Question: Given the Gb note, dot the Gb minor seventh interval.

Answer:

Question #68 Question: Given the Db note, dot the Db minor seventh interval.

Answer:

Question #69 Question: Given the Ab note, dot the Ab minor seventh interval.

Answer:

Question #70 Question: Given the Eb note, dot the Eb minor seventh interval chord.

Answer:

Question #71 Question: Given the Bb note, dot the Bb minor seventh interval.

Answer:

Question #72 Question: Given the F note, dot the F minor seventh interval.

Answer:

YOU WILL BE GIVEN THE LOCRIAN SCALE IN ANY KEY TO FORM A HALF DIMINISHED SEVENTH

CHORD.

Question: Given the Db locrian scale, derive the Db half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #73 Question: Given the C locrian scale, derive the C half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #74 Question: Given the F locrian scale, derive the F half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #75 Question: Given the Bb locrian scale, derive the Bb half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #76 Question: Given the Eb locrian scale, derive the Eb half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #77 Question: Given the Ab locrian scale, derive the Ab half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #78 Question: Given the Db locrian scale, derive the Db half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #79 Question: Given the Gb locrian scale, derive the Gb half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #80 Question: Given the B locrian scale, derive the B half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #81 Question: Given the E locrian scale, derive the E half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #82 Question: Given the A locrian scale, derive the A half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #83 Question: Given the D locrian scale, derive the D half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #84 Question: Given the G locrian scale, derive the G half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #85 Question: Given the C locrian scale, derive the C half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #86 Question: Given the G locrian scale, derive the G half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #87 Question: Given the D locrian scale, derive the D half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #88 Question: Given the A locrian scale, derive the A half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #89 Question: Given the E locrian scale, derive the E half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #90 Question: Given the B locrian scale, derive the B half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #91 Question: Given the Gb locrian scale, derive the Gb half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #92 Question: Given the Db locrian scale, derive the Db half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #93 Question: Given the Ab locrian scale, derive the Ab half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #94 Question: Given the Eb locrian scale, derive the Eb half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #95 Question: Given the Bb locrian scale, derive the Bb half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #96 Question: Given the F locrian scale , derive the F half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

YOU WILL BE GIVEN THE MINOR SEVENTH CHORD IN A KEY. DETERMINE THE HALF

DIMINISHED SEVENTH CHORD OF THAT KEY.

Question: Given the Db minor 7th chord, form the Db half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #97 Question: Given the C minor 7th chord, form the C half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #98 Question: Given the F minor 7th chord, form the F half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #99 Question: Given the Bb minor 7th chord, form the Bb half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #100 Question: Given the Eb minor 7th chord, form the Eb half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #101 Question: Given the Ab minor 7th chord, form the Ab half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #102 Question: Given the Db minor 7th chord, form the Db half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #103 Question: Given the Gb minor 7th chord, form the Gb half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #104 Question: Given the B minor 7th chord, form the B half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #105 Question: Given the E minor 7th chord, form the E half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #106 Question: Given the A minor 7th chord, form the A half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #107 Question: Given the D minor 7th chord, form the D half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #108 Question: Given the G minor 7th chord, form the G half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #109 Question: Given the C minor 7th chord, form the C half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #110 Question: Given the G minor 7th chord, form the G half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #111 Question: Given the D minor 7th chord, form the D half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #112 Question: Given the A minor 7th chord, form the A half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #113 Question: Given the E minor 7th chord, form the E half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #114 Question: Given the B minor 7th chord, form the B half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #115 Question: Given the Gb minor 7th chord, form the Gb half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #116 Question: Given the Db minor 7th chord, form the Db half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #117 Question: Given the Ab minor 7th chord, form the Ab half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #118 Question: Given the Eb minor 7th chord, form the Eb half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #119 Question: Given the Bb minor 7th chord, form the Bb half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #120 Question: Given the F minor 7th chord, form the F half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #121 Question: Given the C minor 7th chord, form the C half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #122 Question: Given the G minor 7th chord, form the G half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #123 Question: Given the D minor 7th chord, form the D half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #124 Question: Given the A minor 7th chord, form the A half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #125 Question: Given the E minor 7th chord, form the E half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Question #126 Question: Given the B minor 7th chord, form the B half diminished seventh chord.

Answer:

Half‐Diminished Seventh Chord

QUICK REFERENCE ON

HALF‐DIMINISHED SEVENTH CHORDS

Workbook 126 Answers

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

1 ‐ 24

Answer #1

Answer #2

Answer #3

Answer #4

Answer #5

Answer #6

Answer #7

Answer #8

Answer #9

Answer #10

Answer #11

Answer #12

Answer #13

Answer #14

Answer #15

Answer #16

Answer #17

Answer #18

Answer #19

Answer #20

Answer #21

Answer #22

Answer #23

Answer #24

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

25 ‐ 48

Answer #25

Answer #26

Answer #27

Answer #28

Answer #29

Answer #30

Answer #31

Answer #32

Answer #33

Answer #34

Answer #35

Answer #36

Answer #37

Answer #38

Answer #39

Answer #40

Answer #41

Answer #42

Answer #43

Answer #44

Answer #45

Answer #46

Answer #47

Answer #48

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

49 ‐ 72

Answer #49

Answer #50

Answer #51

Answer #52

Answer #53

Answer #54

Answer #55

Answer #56

Answer #57

Answer #58

Answer #59

Answer #60

Answer #61

Answer #62

Answer #63

Answer #64

Answer #65

Answer #66

Answer #67

Answer #68

Answer #69

Answer #70

Answer #71

Answer #72

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

73 ‐ 96

Answer #73

Answer #74

Answer #75

Answer #76

Answer #77

Answer #78

Answer #79

Answer #80

Answer #81

Answer #82

Answer #83

Answer #84

Answer #85

Answer #86

Answer #87

Answer #88

Answer #89

Answer #90

Answer #91

Answer #92

Answer #93

Answer #94

Answer #95

Answer #96

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

97 ‐126

Answer #97

Answer #98

Answer #99

Answer #100

Answer #101

Answer #102

Answer #103

Answer #104

Answer #105

Answer #106

Answer #107

Answer #108

Answer #109

Answer #110

Answer #111

Answer #112

Answer #113

Answer #114

Answer #115

Answer #116

Answer #117

Answer #118

Answer #119

Answer #120

Answer #121

Answer #122

Answer #123

Answer #124

Answer #125

Answer #126