The A♭ Dominant 7th Sharp 11 chord is a five-note chord made up of A♭, C, D, E♭, and G♭. It is built from a root, major third, augmented fourth, perfect fifth, and minor seventh.
Construction
A♭ Dominant 7th Sharp 11 = Root + Major 3rd + Diminished 5th + Perfect 5th + Minor 7th = A♭ · C · D · E♭ · G♭
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| A♭ | Root | 1 |
| C | Major 3rd | 3 |
| D | Diminished 5th | ♭5 |
| E♭ | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| G♭ | Minor 7th | ♭7 |
Key Signature
A dominant chord points home to the key a fifth below its root: the A♭ Dominant 7th Sharp 11 is the V (dominant) of Db Major, so the relevant key signature is that key’s — 5 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭). Spelled as a scale, these notes are Ab Mixolydian.
B♭E♭A♭D♭G♭
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.
B♭E♭A♭D♭G♭C♭F♭
Mnemonic: Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles’ Father
Chords in the Key of D♭ Major
These are the triads built on each degree of the D♭ major scale:
A♭ Dominant 7th Sharp 11 — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the A♭ Dominant 7th Sharp 11 chord on piano?
The A♭ Dominant 7th Sharp 11 chord contains the notes A♭ – C – D – E♭ – G♭. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the Ab Dominant 7th Sharp 11 chord?
Ab7#11 contains: Ab, C, D, Eb, Gb. Lydian Dominant sound.
How does Ab7#11 differ from Ab7?
Adds D (the #11).
How does Ab7#11 differ from Ab11?
Ab11 has Db (clashes with C). Ab7#11 has D which doesn't clash.
How is Ab7#11 used?
Lydian Dominant. Jazz. Tritone sub for D7.
What scale matches Ab7#11?
Ab Lydian Dominant — 4th mode of Eb melodic minor.
What songs use 7#11?
Modern jazz, R&B.