The G♭ Dominant 7th Sharp 11 chord is a five-note chord made up of G♭, B♭, C, D♭, and F♭. It is built from a root, major third, augmented fourth, perfect fifth, and minor seventh.
Construction
G♭ Dominant 7th Sharp 11 = Root + Major 3rd + Diminished 5th + Perfect 5th + Minor 7th = G♭ · B♭ · C · D♭ · F♭
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| G♭ | Root | 1 |
| B♭ | Major 3rd | 3 |
| C | Diminished 5th | ♭5 |
| D♭ | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| F♭ | Minor 7th | ♭7 |
Key Signature
A dominant chord points home to the key a fifth below its root: the G♭ Dominant 7th Sharp 11 is the V (dominant) of B Major, so the relevant key signature is that key’s — 5 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯). Spelled as a scale, these notes are Gb Mixolydian.
F♯C♯G♯D♯A♯
Order of sharps
Sharps are added to a key signature in a fixed order. Each new sharp key adds the next sharp on the list.
F♯C♯G♯D♯A♯E♯B♯
Mnemonic: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle
Chords in the Key of B Major
These are the triads built on each degree of the B major scale:
G♭ Dominant 7th Sharp 11 — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the G♭ Dominant 7th Sharp 11 chord on piano?
The G♭ Dominant 7th Sharp 11 chord contains the notes G♭ – B♭ – C – D♭ – F♭. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the Gb Dominant 7th Sharp 11 chord?
Gb7#11 contains: Gb, Bb, C, Db, Fb. Lydian Dominant. Enharmonic of F#7#11.
How does Gb7#11 differ from Gb7?
Adds C (the #11).
How does Gb7#11 differ from Gb11?
Gb11 has Cb (clashes with Bb). Gb7#11 has C which doesn't clash.
How is Gb7#11 used?
Lydian Dominant. Tritone sub for C7. F#7#11 more commonly written.
What scale matches Gb7#11?
Gb Lydian Dominant — 4th mode of Db melodic minor.
What songs use 7#11?
Modern jazz.