A plain major chord a half step above home, sliding down onto it. Classical writers route it through 5⁷ first; pop just lets it fall. Either way, b2 is drama per dollar.
hear it in Beethoven, “Moonlight” Sonata mvt. 1
Lead-in — how players set it upOften from 4- or straight off 1 for shock value.From 6- — minor gloom makes the b2 read as fate.Or approach from its own 4: borrowed b6 falls into b2.Follow — where it usually goesFall to 1 — or classical-route it through 5⁷ first.The classical route: b2 through 5⁷ before home.Or soften it maj7-style and glide — the neo-soul slide.
The b2 chord shares the key's 4 — hold it across the slide, then close 2 half steps: b2→1 and 4→3.Target tones (in C)C — lean on E (3)Db — lean on F (3)C — lean on E (3)Half-step wiresC → Db · E → F · Db ↘ C · F ↘ E