G Dominant 7th Sharp 11
Notes:G – B – D – F – C#
Formula:R-M3-A4-P5-m7
Intervals:P1-M3-A4-P5-m7
Scale Degrees:1-3-#4-5-b7
Introduction
The G Dominant 7th Sharp 11 piano chord (G7\u266f11) consists of the notes G, B, C#, D, F. 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
G Dominant 7th Sharp 11 Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | G4 – B4 – D5 – F5 – C#5 |
| 1st Inversion | B4 – C#5 – D5 – F5 – G5 |
| 2nd Inversion | C#5 – D5 – F5 – G5 – B5 |
Key Signature
The key of G Dominant 7th Sharp 11 has 1 sharp: F♯.
F♯
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-M3-A4-P5-m7
Intervals: P1-M3-A4-P5-m7
The G 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.
G Dominant 7th Sharp 11 — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the G Dominant 7th Sharp 11 chord?
G7#11 contains: G, B, C#, D, F. Lydian Dominant sound.
How does G7#11 differ from G7?
Adds C# (the #11). Brighter and more complex than standard G7.
How does G7#11 differ from G11?
G11 has C (clashes with B). G7#11 has C# which doesn't clash.
How is G7#11 used in music?
Lydian Dominant. G7#11 is the enriched V chord in C Major — one of the most important 7#11 chords in jazz. Tritone sub for Db7.
What scale matches G7#11?
G Lydian Dominant: G, A, B, C#, D, E, F — 4th mode of D melodic minor.
What songs use 7#11?
Modern jazz. G7#11 → Cmaj7 is one of the most common uses.
Practice Tips
- Play G7 then add C# — Lydian Dominant brightness.
- G7#11 is the enriched V in C Major — one of the most useful 7#11 chords.
- The #11 (C#) doesn't clash with the third (B).
- Practice G7#11 → Cmaj9 for a sophisticated V–I.
- Lydian Dominant scale: G–A–B–C#–D–E–F.
- Tritone sub for Db7.