Minor

Minor seventh, sharp five chords

Minor 7th with a raised 5th (R-b3-#5-b7). The #5 (G#) is enharmonically Ab, the b6 of C minor. A non-diatonic, chromatic color — typically a passing sonority between im7 and bVI, or a darkened minor-7 in modal/post-bop writing — not a diatonic chord of any major or minor key.

In every key

The same shape, moved. The symbols below are spelled the way the app spells them, which is the spelling the chord's own scale asks for rather than whichever accidental is easier to type.

  • Cm7#5
  • Dbm7#5
  • Dm7#5
  • Ebm7#5
  • Em7#5
  • Fm7#5
  • F#m7#5
  • Gm7#5
  • Abm7#5
  • Am7#5
  • Bbm7#5
  • Bm7#5

Voicings

Written in C, because that is the key the encyclopedia authors them in; every one transposes unchanged.

Root Position (R-b3-#5-b7)

C · Eb · G# · Bb

intermediate

RH 1-2-3-5 on C-Eb-G#-Bb; keep the thumb light so the #5 (G#) sings.

Rootless (b3-#5-b7-9)

Eb · G# · Bb · D

advanced

LH 5-3-2-1 low to high; let the D ring as the brightest voice over the dark G#.

Where it turns up

Appears as a passing chord and in modal/post-bop minor harmony. Functions like a m7 with a darkened, augmented top. Common in McCoy Tyner and Wayne Shorter minor writing where the 5th is raised for tension.

Commonly swapped with

  • Abmaj7 (G# = Ab root, shared Eb/G/Bb tones)
  • Cm7
  • Ebmaj7#5