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A♭ 7♭9♯11

Also known as G♯ 7♭9♯11
Same keys, different spelling.
Open G♯ 7♭9♯11Same chord, spelled with sharpsWhat are enharmonics? →Why one chord has two names
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Listen plays the chord. Play Along lights up each note in order so you can follow.

A♭7♭9♯11
A♭ – C – E♭ – G♭ – B♭♭ – D
Formula:R-M3-P5-m7-m9-A11
Intervals:P1-M3-P5-m7-m9-A11
Scale Degrees:1-3-5-b7-b9-#11

Introduction

Ab 7♭9♯11 piano chord, root position — Ab, C, Eb, Gb, A, D
The Ab 7♭9♯11 chord in root position on a piano keyboard, notes Ab, C, Eb, Gb, A, D.

The A♭ 7♭9♯11 chord is a six-note chord made up of A♭, C, E♭, G♭, B♭♭, and D. It is built from a root, major third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, minor ninth, and augmented eleventh.

Notes

Notes:A♭ – C – E♭ – G♭ – B♭♭ – D

Key Signature

The key of Ab 7♭9♯11 has 4 flats.

B♭E♭A♭D♭

Order of flats

Flats are added in a fixed order — the reverse of the sharp order. Each new flat key adds the next flat on the list.

BEADGCF

Mnemonic: Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles’ Father

Chords in the Key of A♭ Major

These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the A♭ major scale:

C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
IA♭ Major (major)
DegreeNumeralChordQuality
1IA♭ MajorMajor
2iiB♭ MinorMinor
3iiiC MinorMinor
4IVD♭ MajorMajor
5VE♭ MajorMajor
6viF MinorMinor
7vii°G DiminishedDiminished

Theory: Intervals

Formula: R-M3-P5-m7-m9-A11
Intervals: P1-M3-P5-m7-m9-A11

The A♭ 7♭9♯11 is built by stacking intervals from the root note. The formula R-M3-P5-m7-m9-A11 describes the scale degrees used. The intervals P1-M3-P5-m7-m9-A11 show the distance between each note in the chord.

A♭ 7♭9♯11 — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the Ab 7♭9♯11 chord?
The Ab 7♭9♯11 chord (Ab7♭9♯11) contains 6 notes: Ab, C, Eb, Gb, A, D. Formula: R-M3-P5-m7-m9-A11.
How is Ab7♭9♯11 used in music?
Ab7♭9♯11 is used in jazz, fusion, and contemporary music to add harmonic color. It appears as a dominant or tonic chord depending on context.
What is the scale degree formula for Ab7♭9♯11?
Ab7♭9♯11 uses scale degrees 1-3-5-b7-b9-#11, giving it its distinctive sound.

Practice Tips

  • Start by placing your thumb on Ab and spacing remaining fingers across the chord.
  • Practice Ab7♭9♯11 slowly with separate hands before combining.
  • Listen carefully to the tension created by the altered tones in this chord.
  • Try voicing Ab7♭9♯11 in different octaves to find the most comfortable position.
  • Resolve Ab7♭9♯11 to a nearby chord to hear its function in context.

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