The best workaround I've yet found for this chord is Ab7#9/C (for CmMaj7b5)
Most of the time the unwanted root isn't played and even when the 5th of the Ab7#9 is occasionally missing the embellishments are still within the W/H diminished scale from which the mMaj7b5 chord originates.

This workaround voicing also short-circuits most of the problems using m#5 or maj chords when riff voicings are played that emphasise the parent diatonic major or minor scale.

The mMaj7b5 chord is very necessary for a lot of modern tunes by Richie Beirach and David Leibman who use it extensively throughout their repertoire. Not that many here will be bothered one way or another, but it should be added IMO

Hope this helps

Alan

Last edited by alan S.; 12/05/12 08:30 PM.