Cm7(b5) chord on ukulele
Cm7(b5) is the half-diminished chord: C, Eb, Gb and Bb (1–b3–b5–b7). On ukulele, the diagram shape is 3 3 2 3, with Eb in the bass.
On the ukulele, the high reentrant G makes every shape light — and with four strings, every note is exposed. In this Cm7(b5) voicing the bass is Eb and the shape runs from fret 2 to 3. Its soft nylon strings sound warm and mellow, light enough to float gently over a song.
Notes and formula of Cm7(b5)
Notes in Cm7(b5): C – Eb – Gb – BbFormula: 1 – b3 – b5 – b7In 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
In minor keys it is usually the chord that opens the famous ii–V — in other words, the two-chord pair that prepares the return home. Think Dm7b5 → G7G7G7G7 arriving at CmCmCmCm.
See also
Part of the Sevenths family.