A7♭5/C♯ guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 33 playable shapes

About the chord

A dominant 7th flat 5 / C♯ (1st inversion)

A7♭5/C♯ is the A dominant 7th flat 5 / C♯ (1st inversion) guitar chord with C♯ in the bass. It uses the notes A, C♯, E♭, and G and the interval formula 1-3-♭5-♭7.

The A dominant 7th flat 5 dominant 7th flat 5 chord introduces a diminished fifth E♭ to the dominant 7th, producing a dissonant, unstable tension. This unresolved sound is commonly used in jazz and blues for dramatic harmonic movement and suspense. With C♯ in the bass, this voicing functions as the 1st inversion of A dominant 7th flat 5.

Also written as A7♭5 and Adom7♭5/C♯.

Root note: A

Bass note: C♯

Chord tones: 4

Playable shapes: 33

Chord tones

AC♯E♭G

Common guitar voicings

These are quick-start shapes for players who want the answer first and the deeper theory second.

Shape 1

907889

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1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 4th string.
2 Place the 2nd finger on the 8th fret of the 2nd string and 3rd string in barre position.
3 Place the 3rd finger on the 9th fret of the 6th string.
4 Place the 4th finger on the 9th fret of the 1st string.
5 Strum from the 6th string down.

Shape 2

90b0ab

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1 Place the 1st finger on the 9th fret of the 6th string.
2 Place the 2nd finger on the 10th fret of the 2nd string.
3 Place the 3rd finger on the 11th fret of the 4th string.
4 Place the 4th finger on the 11th fret of the 1st string.
5 Strum from the 6th string down.

Notes & Intervals

Each note below shows how the chord is built from its root. This is the theory layer underneath the fretboard shapes.

A Unison (Root) 1

The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.

C♯ Major Third 3

This note defines the chord's major quality and brings brightness to the sound.

E♭ Diminished Fifth ♭5

The flattened fifth adds tension and a restless, unstable edge.

G Minor Seventh ♭7

The minor seventh adds bluesy or jazzy tension that wants to move onward.

Quick answers

What notes are in A7♭5/C♯?

A7♭5/C♯ uses the notes A, C♯, E♭, and G. Its interval formula is 1-3-♭5-♭7.

What is another name for A7♭5/C♯?

A7♭5/C♯ is also written as A7♭5 and Adom7♭5/C♯.

How do you play A7♭5/C♯ on guitar?

Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 4th string. Place the 2nd finger on the 8th fret of the 2nd string and 3rd string in barre position. Place the 3rd finger on the 9th fret of the 6th string. Place the 4th finger on the 9th fret of the 1st string. Strum from the 6th string down.

Articles that reference this chord and explain how to use it in your playing.

Article Mar 4, 2025