Half-diminished
Diminished fifth with a minor seventh. Softened diminished: the minor seventh takes some of the dim7 tension away.
Symbol ø · Cø Four notes
Listen
Notes of the chord
1 C m3 E♭ ♭5 G♭ m7 B♭
C
Where you have heard it
Grau ii do menor before V
What it gets confused with
Frequently asked
Which notes make a half-diminished chord?
A diminished triad plus a minor seventh — for example B, D, F and A.
Why "half" diminished?
Because only the triad is diminished. Lower the seventh one more semitone and you get the fully diminished chord.
Where does it turn up?
On the second degree of a minor key, right before the dominant.
There is an exercise track dedicated to recognising this by ear.
Train this