A Dominant 7th Sharp 11

Notes:A – C# – E – G – D#
Formula:R-M3-A4-P5-m7
Intervals:P1-M3-A4-P5-m7
Scale Degrees:1-3-#4-5-b7

Introduction

The A Dominant 7th Sharp 11 piano chord (A7\u266f11) consists of the notes A, C#, D#, E, G. It is a dominant 7th chord with an augmented (sharpened) 11th, creating a distinctive tritone clash, giving it a tense, tritone-driven character central to the Lydian Dominant sound in jazz and fusion. Formula: R-M3-A4-P5-m7 | Scale degrees: 1-3-#4-5-b7.

Notes

Notes:A – C# – E – G – D#

A Dominant 7th Sharp 11 Inversions

PositionNotes
Root PositionA4 – C#5 – E5 – G5 – D#5
1st InversionC#5 – D#5 – E5 – G5 – A5
2nd InversionD#5 – E5 – G5 – A5 – C#6

Key Signature

The key of A Dominant 7th Sharp 11 has 3 sharps: F♯, C♯, G♯.

F♯C♯G♯

Theory: Intervals

Formula: R-M3-A4-P5-m7
Intervals: P1-M3-A4-P5-m7

The A Dominant 7th Sharp 11 is built by stacking intervals from the root note. The formula R-M3-A4-P5-m7 describes the scale degrees used. The intervals P1-M3-A4-P5-m7 show the distance between each note in the chord.

A Dominant 7th Sharp 11 — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the A Dominant 7th Sharp 11 chord?

A7#11 contains: A, C#, D#, E, G. Lydian Dominant sound.

How does A7#11 differ from A7?

Adds D# (the #11).

How does A7#11 differ from A11?

A11 has D (clashes with C#). A7#11 has D# which doesn't clash.

How is A7#11 used?

Lydian Dominant. Jazz, blues-jazz. Tritone sub for Eb7.

What scale matches A7#11?

A Lydian Dominant: A, B, C#, D#, E, F#, G — 4th mode of E melodic minor.

What songs use 7#11?

Modern jazz, fusion.

Practice Tips

  • Play A7 then add D# — Lydian Dominant brightness.
  • The #11 doesn't clash with the third.
  • Tritone sub for Eb7.
  • Lydian Dominant scale.
  • Blues-jazz applications.
  • Practice A7#11 → D resolution.