Half Diminished chords are one of the trickiest chord qualities for developing jazz musicians. Also known as Minor7b5 chords, their structure, sound, and very nature are tough to grasp for just about everyone, so they tend to present more of a challenge than major, minor, or dominant chords.
So what makes half diminished chords more difficult than these other basic chord qualities? Why can’t they be as simple as a major chord to think about? And what is it about them that makes them harder to hear and play?
Well it mostly goes back to how we’re nearly all introduced to a half diminished chord from popular jazz education today, which of course is via a scale.
The very first thing we’re told about these chords is that they take the esoteric Locrian Mode, and that if we simply learn this mode, we’ll be equipped for half diminished chords.
No overview, no context, no sound (!!)…just mix up the notes from this scale over half diminished chords and you’re good to go.
Unfortunately, this won’t get you very far…but it gets worse…
Not only do many improvisers get started with Locrian, but in typical Chord-Scale fashion, we’re also offered several other scale choices to confuse the matter, giving you three scales in total for half diminished:
The Locrian Scale
The Locrian#2 Scale
The Melodic Minor Scale from the 3rd of the chord (Bb)
And this is probably the point that many of you are at now…
You’ve got your Locrian, Locrian#2, and your Melodic Minor Scales all lined up for a half diminished chord, but you’re still having trouble making an actual musical statement over them.
So what do you do?
If you haven’t realized this already, more scale choices do NOT help you understand how to play over a chord.
And while all of this scale information is not wrong and is actually beneficial to know…it’s very incomplete.
So today, we’re going to fill in your gaps of knowledge when it comes to half diminished chords, looking at how we can supplement your theory knowledge with a working model of how a pro approaches playing over these chords, giving you meaningful techniques that you can start using right now!
But first, a quick refresher on the sound you’re playing over…
Half diminished chords: A Quick Overview
Before we go further, here’s a quick overview of half diminished chords…
When derived straight from functional harmony, a half diminished chord has the same lower structure chord tones as a minor chord, with the slight modification of a b5 rather than a natural 5, hence the other name for a half diminished chord, Minor7b5…
But unlike a standard minor chord, its upper structure chord tones, the 9-11-13, contain a b9 and a b13.
When you put all of these chord tones (vertical structure) into a scalar form (linear structure), they resemble the Locrian Scale…
So Locrian is not just some weird mode, it’s simply the notes of the actual chord, reordered into a scale: the actual chord and Locrian are really just two perspectives of the same information.
Ok, so what does a half diminished chord sound like? Here’s a simple voicing with just the root in the bass, and the 3rd, 5th, and 7th on top…
Although basic, these chord tones are the ones primarily used in a half diminished chord voicing.
As we’ll touch on later, the 9th of a half diminished chord, which is a b9 coming from harmony, is similar to the 11th on a major chord – it clashes within a chord voicing, creating unwanted dissonance.
To remedy this, like the 11th on major, it’s often raised, adding this natural 9 sound to the voicing…
Keep in mind, this natural 9 is the #2 from the scale that jazz educators talk about, the Locrian#2. As we’ll get to later, I think of this sound as a natural 9 because rather than a b9, you’re changing it to a natural 9.
The half diminished chord (and Locrian for that matter) contains a b9, so calling it #2 is a bit odd to me, but if you prefer to think of it that way, that’s perfectly okay. Always think of things the way they make sense to YOU.
Alright, that’s enough theory. Let’s get into the concepts that Coltrane uses to expand his vocabulary and melodic freedom on half diminished chords…
Hey, Sorry to Interrupt...
I know you were just getting into this lesson, but this one’s reserved for
Jazzadvice PRO members.
Already a PRO member? Log in below to keep reading.
So here’s the deal…
We’re not some big company. We’re just two guys — Forrest & Eric — who’ve spent years pouring everything we know about jazz into this site.
Thousands of musicians have learned from Jazzadvice, but here’s the truth: Jazzadvice has almost shut down more than once. Creating this kind of material takes time, energy, and everything we’ve got.
That’s why we built Jazzadvice PRO — to give aspiring improvisers the best jazz improvisation material on the planet, while keeping the site alive for years to come.
So if Jazzadvice has ever helped you break through a plateau, find new motivation, or rediscover why you love playing, consider joining PRO to give back, while taking your own playing to the next level.
Jazzadvice PRO
Get complete access to our lessons, courses, and future content.
Join thousands of musicians learning jazz with Jazzadvice PRO
What makes Jazzadvice PRO such a good deal?
Each of our full-length Jazzadvice Courses is available individually for $229, and for good reason — they’re complete programs built to transform how you hear, understand, and play jazz.
And with Jazzadvice PRO you get all five courses, every PRO lesson, and everything new we release for just $10/month.
That’s over $1,000 worth of material included with Jazzadvice PRO.
Included With Jazzadvice PRO
Jazz Theory Unlocked
Ear Training Method
Melodic Power
Jazz Visualization Course
Reprogramming the Musical Mind
Full Library of PRO Lessons
Access to all Future Content
Individual Price
$229
$229
$229
$229
$229
$108/year
Included
TOTAL VALUE: Over $1,000 YOUR PRICE: Just $10/month (billed yearly)
Thousands of musicians paid full price for these courses and lessons, and for good reason. The material works. It helps players make real, lasting progress.
Jazzadvice PRO gives you everything for one low price — lessons, courses, and every new release — so you can stop piecing things together and start focusing on what really matters: becoming the player you want to be.
All Member-Only Lessons
Every lesson like the one you were just reading is part of a larger collection — deep dives on the real skills that matter: improvisation, harmony, ear training, and the practice habits that separate great players from the rest.
Tons of focused, member-only lessons that go far beyond what we can share publicly
Downloadable workbooks and exercises to quickly turn deep concepts into real skills.
Fresh new lessons added regularly to keep your practice inspired
All 5 Fundamental Courses
When you’re ready to go deeper, Jazzadvice PRO gives you the full picture. Five complete courses that will take your skills to new heights:
The Ear Training Method - Hear harmony like a pro.
Melodic Power – shape lines with clarity, direction, and intent.
Jazz Theory Unlocked – Unravel the logic behind any tune.
Reprogramm the Musical Mind – upgrade your habits & mindset.
Visualization for Jazz – build mental fluency to play with freedom.
Everything New We Create
Jazzadvice keeps growing — and when you’re a Jazzadvice PRO member, you grow with it. That means every new lesson, every new course, and every new tool we build automatically becomes part of your membership.
No upgrades. No extra cost. Just an ever-expanding library designed to help you keep improving.
And here's the truth...
Every musician hits a point where progress stalls, where you feel stuck, repeating the same ideas and not sure how to move forward. That’s the moment most people drift away.
But you don’t have to. You found Jazzadvice for a reason — because you have a true desire to take your playing to the next level. And everything we’ve built inside PRO is designed to help you keep that momentum going, to keep you inspired and play with confidence.
So if these lessons have sparked something in you — even just a glimpse of what’s possible, don’t let it fade. Join Jazzadvice PRO, keep learning, and see how far you can really go.
Jazzadvice PRO
Get complete access to our lessons, courses, and future content.
Join thousands of musicians learning jazz with Jazzadvice PRO
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What payment methods do you accept? A: You can easily pay by credit card or PayPal.
Q: How do I access my content? A: After checkout, simply log in to your Jazzadvice account. From your Dashboard you’ll instantly see everything included with Jazzadvice PRO or any individual Course you’ve purchased. Everything is online — no shipping, no waiting.
Q: Will my PRO Membership renew automatically? A: Yes. Your membership will renew automatically. You can manage or cancel anytime directly from your account. One-time Course purchases do not renew. For full details, please see our PRO Membership Terms.
Q: What is Jazzadvice PRO? A: Jazzadvice PRO is our complete membership. It includes all PRO Lessons, all PRO Courses, and all future content we release.
Q: What format is the material in? A: All content is 100% online. Courses may include streamable video, written materials, and audio exercises. PRO Lessons often include downloadable PDFs or practice guides. Nothing is shipped.
Q: What if I’ve purchased a Course in the past? A: You’ll always keep access to what you’ve purchased. Jazzadvice PRO simply goes further by giving you access to all PRO Courses, all PRO Lessons, and future member-only content in one membership.
Q: How do I cancel my membership? A: You can manage or cancel your membership any time from your Account Settings on your Dashboard. When you cancel, your access continues until the end of your current annual membership term.
Q: Who is this for? A: Jazzadvice PRO is for musicians who want to build a real foundation, study deeply, and apply what they learn. It’s not for total beginners, but if you know basic scales, chords, and progressions, you’ll benefit whether you’re an experienced beginner, intermediate, or advanced player.
Q: Will this work for my level? A: Yes — as long as you’re not a complete beginner. If you’re just starting out but already know the basics, our Courses and Lessons will give you the structure and clarity to move forward faster. And if you’re intermediate or advanced, they will fill in the gaps, reframe what you already know, and help push your playing to a deeper level.
Q: Do I need to read music? A: Lessons often use notation, scale numbers, and chord symbols, but you don’t need to be an advanced reader. A basic familiarity with major and minor scales, chords, and simple notation is enough to get started.
Q: I’m not a jazz musician. Will I still benefit? A: Absolutely. The ability to hear, understand, and use the language of music isn’t limited to jazz. Whether you play classical, rock, folk, or any other style, the skills you’ll build in Jazzadvice PRO will make you a better musician.
Q: Which course should I start with? A: You can begin with any of the 5 PRO Courses — they’re designed to complement each other. If you’re unsure, start with the area where you feel weakest, or follow our suggested sequence on the site for a clear roadmap.
Q: What is Premium Legacy? A: Premium Legacy, briefly called PRO Basic, is our retired lesson-library membership for longtime members. It includes access to PRO Lessons, but does not include access to PRO Courses. Premium Legacy is no longer available for new members.
Q: If I already purchased a Course or have a Premium Legacy membership, do I get a discount or credit toward Jazzadvice PRO? A: Previous Course purchases and legacy memberships remain in your account, but they do not automatically transfer as credit toward Jazzadvice PRO. If you have a specific question about your account, contact us and we’ll be happy to take a look.
Q: Is there a money-back guarantee or refund if I don’t like it? A: No. We don’t offer refunds. Our lessons and courses are the result of years of work and require consistent effort. If you’re committed to improving and practicing, you’ll get enormous value from your purchase.
Q: Can I share my Membership, Course, or PRO Lessons? A: No. Access is licensed to the one person who purchases it. Sharing or redistributing any content is not allowed and will result in revoked access without refund.
Q: I’m a teacher. Can I use PRO content or Course content in the classroom? A: No. PRO memberships, Courses, and PRO Lessons (formerly Premium Lessons) are licensed for one user only. Please respect our copyrights and direct your students to purchase their own access.
Q: What instruments is Jazzadvice PRO for? A: All instruments. Lessons and courses are designed to apply universally, because every musician needs these skills.
