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Chord & Fret

C(b5) on electric guitar

C(b5) on electric guitar — frets × 3 4 5 5 0C(b5)1234×CGbCEE
Frets: × 3 4 5 5 0

On the electric guitar a chord needs only a few clear notes — the amp sustains them and fills the space, so you mute the strings you are not playing and let the tone carry the rest. In this C(b5) voicing the bass is C and the shape runs from fret 3 to 5, ringing 1 open string. Plugged into an amp, each chord sustains for as long as you hold it, and the tone — clean or driven — shapes the whole sound.

Notes in C(b5): C – E – GbFormula: 1 – 3 – b5

In the formula, the numbers count steps of the major scale starting from the note that names the chord; "b" lowers a half step, "#" raises one — and a slash names the bass note.

Where to use it: A rare, modern colour; in practice it shows up far more with the seventh attached, as C7(b5), than on its own.

This is just one shape of C(b5) on electric guitar. In Chord & Fret, you hear every shape strummed string by string, in the instrument's own voice; open every variation on the neck, grouped by bass note; and change the tuning — the shape rewrites itself. Start free. Unlock everything with Pro. Plays offline.

See the whole neck in Chord & Fret →

Part of the Triads family.

See the full explanation of C(b5) →