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Chord & Fret

C7(b5) on guitar

C7(b5) on guitar — frets × 3 4 3 5 ×C7(b5)1324×CGbBbE×
Frets: × 3 4 3 5 ×

On the guitar, six strings give the chord room to breathe — some positions use them all, others ask you to mute the lowest ones. In this C7(b5) voicing the bass is C and the shape runs from fret 3 to 5. Its hollow wooden body gives every chord a warm, natural ring that blooms and fades on its own.

Notes in C7(b5): C – E – Gb – BbFormula: 1 – 3 – b5 – b7

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: Jazz, bossa and turnarounds — the natural step toward swapping one dominant for another.

This is just one shape of C7(b5) on 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 set a capo — the diagrams redraw above it. Start free. Unlock everything with Pro. Plays offline.

See the whole neck in Chord & Fret →

Part of the Sevenths family.

See the full explanation of C7(b5) →