Dm7b5 chord with D Locrian scale

Pairing the Dm7b5 chord (m7b5) with the D Locrian scale: formulas, fretboard voicings and the practical context for soloing, improvisation and songwriting.

Dm7b5 chord formula

Interval formula: 1 b3 b5 b7. A half-diminished 7th — minor 3rd, flat 5th, minor 7th. A dark, unstable chord; the main ii in minor keys.

D Locrian scale formula

Formula: 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7. Classification: unstable.

Fretboard voicings for Dm7b5

Curated Dm7b5 shapes that sit naturally inside the D Locrian scale.

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Dm7b5 — Drop 2, root on 6th string, frets 9–12
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Dm7b5 — Drop 2, root on 5th string, frets 4–7
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Dm7b5 — Drop 2, root on 4th string, frets 0–2

Other scales for Dm7b5

Compare how the same chord behaves over other compatible modes.

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