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Major 7 Flat 5 Chords - Guitar Diagrams And Formulas

In this lesson, we’ll explore the Major 7♭5 chord, a colorful and unusual harmony often found in jazz and modern styles.

Built on the formula 1 – 3 – ♭5 – 7, it combines the brightness of a major seventh chord with the tension of a flattened fifth.

The result is a dreamy, unstable sound that can add richness and surprise to your progressions.

We’ll look at how to build this chord on guitar, hear its unique character, and learn where it fits musically.

Construction

A major 7♭5 chord is a type of major seventh chord where the fifth degree is lowered by a half step.

Let’s break it down:

Formula for a Major 7 chord:
1 – 3 – 5 – 7

Formula for a Major 7♭5 chord:
1 – 3 – ♭5 – 7

So you keep the major 3rd and the major 7th, but flatten the 5th.

Example: Cmaj7♭5

Root (1): C

Major 3rd (3): E

Flattened 5th (♭5): G♭

Major 7th (7): B

So the notes are: C – E – G♭ – B

C Diminished Major Seventh C E G♭ B
Formula 1 3 ♭5 7

 

Common Notations for Major 7 Flat 5

The common notation for a Major 7♭5 chord is usually one of these:

  • Maj7♭5 (most standard)
  • Δ7♭5 (using the triangle symbol for “major”)
  • ma7♭5 (less common, but still used)

Example in C:

  • Cmaj7♭5
  • CΔ7♭5
  • Cma7♭5

They all mean: C – E – G♭ – B

Drop 2 Voicing Shapes

Drop 2 voicings take the four notes of a chord and “drop” the second-highest note down an octave.

The result is a set of clear, balanced voicings that lie naturally on the fretboard.

Applied to the major 7 flat 5 chord, these shapes unlock new textures for comping.

Drop 2 root position  R ♭5 7 3
1st inversion (third in the bass) 3 7 R ♭5
2nd inversion (fifth in the bass) ♭5 R 3 7
3rd inversion (seventh in the bass) 7 3 ♭5 R
Major 7 flat 5 guitar chord diagrams
Major 7 flat 5 guitar chord voicings
Major 7 flat 5 guitar chord positions

Drop 3 Voicing Shapes

A drop 3 voicing takes a four-note chord and “drops” the third-highest note down an octave.

This spacing creates wider, resonant shapes that sit beautifully across the strings.

With the major 7 flat 5 chord, drop 3 shapes are perfect for jazz comping, chord melody arrangements, or adding an unexpected twist to progressions.

Drop 3 root position  R 7 3 ♭5
1st inversion (third in the bass) 3 R ♭5 7
2nd inversion (fifth in the bass) ♭5 3 7 R
3rd inversion (seventh in the bass) 7 ♭5 R 3
Major 7 flat 5 guitar chord shapes
Major 7 flat 5 guitar chords

Practice Idea

Here is a basic diatonic chord progression in C major including two major 7 flat 5 chords that make the link between the I (Cmaj7) & the ii (Dm7) and the IV (Fmaj7) & iii (Em7) chords.

Notice the two diminished 7 chords (Edim7 & Ddim7) used to connect Em7 (iii) with Dm7 (ii) with Cmaj7 (I).

 

Major 7 flat 5 guitar chord exercise

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Last edited: 2025-08-31

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