Guitar chord reference
F♯ Half-diminished 7 guitar chord: five CAGED shapes
Half-diminished seventh combines a diminished triad with a flattened 7th: 1, ♭3, ♭5, ♭7. It commonly functions as a predominant minor-key chord and as the tonic structure of Locrian.
Chord construction and function
The ♭5 creates instability while ♭7 distinguishes the chord from fully diminished seventh. Hearing that seventh accurately is the key comparison.
- Chord formula
- 1 · ♭3 · ♭5 · ♭7
- Notes in F♯m7♭5
- F♯ · A · C · E
F♯m7♭5 in CAGED neck order
Root notes are highlighted. Read each movable voicing as a set of chord tones, not simply as a copied open shape.
C shape
A shape
G shape
E shape
D shape
Practice drill
Alternate half-diminished and minor seventh on one root, lowering only the 5th. Then compare half-diminished with diminished seventh by changing only the 7th.
Follow the guitar chord practice guide for clean placement, timed changes and connected CAGED movement.
Learn how the five movable forms overlap, where their roots sit and when to use partial voicings in the CAGED system guide.
Open the chord randomiser