B 7th, Flat 5th Mandolin Chord

also known as B dominant 7th flat 5th

make a barre on the first fret with your first finger from the first string to the fourth string
your second finger goes on the second fret of the fourth string
your third finger goes on the second fret of the second string

Diagram of a B 7th, flat 5th mandolin barre chord at the 1 fret (third inversion)

Notes in a B 7th, Flat 5th Mandolin chord

Root : B

3rd : D#

Diminished 5th : F

Minor 7th : A

B7♭5/A

Diagram of a B 7th, flat 5th mandolin barre chord at the 7 fret (first inversion)

B7♭5/D#

Diagram of a B 7th, flat 5th mandolin chord at the 3 fret

B7♭5

Diagram of a B 7th, flat 5th mandolin chord at the 9 fret (second inversion)

B7♭5/F

Dominant seventh flat five chord

In music theory, the dominant seventh flat five chord is a seventh chord composed of a root note, together with a major third, a diminished fifth, and a minor seventh above the root (1, ♮3, ♭5 and ♭7). This chord is enharmonically equivalent to its own second inversion. That is, it has the same notes as the dominant seventh flat five chord a tritone away (although they may be spelled differently). Because of this property, it readily functions as a pivot chord. It is also frequently encountered in tritone substitutions. In this sense, there are only six "unique" dominant seventh flat five chords.